Flag Day - June 14 - What kind of country does our flag represent? by Phyllis Stenerson

It's Flag Day in the United States commemorating the day in 1777 when the Continental Congress approved an official flag for a new nation. Old Glory is probably the most recognizable, powerful and revered symbol of the United States. I think we all pretty much agree on that.

The question of what kind of a country Old Glory represents, however, is causing unprecedented, deep divisiveness. Dialogue and dissent are essential to a well functioning democracy. Right wing protests that are edging toward violence, shouting that drowns out civil discourse and misrepresentation of facts and history are grievously damaging our nation. We need to hear more progressive voices.

The seriousness of our times cannot be overstated! The man-made environmental disaster in the Gulf is the latest, gruesomely visible challenge. Our crisis of democracy is also a man-made problem heading toward disaster unless we act. If this doesn’t get our attention, what will?

It’s taken me awhile to come to terms with how extremist the formerly honorable Republican Party has become and how they are damaging America - and have the nerve to take a strong stand. I am disappointed by the Democrats who have failed to articulate and fight hard enough for our cherished values of justice and opportunity for all. Congress is basically dysfunctional and overly compliant to the big money interests that fund Members' campaigns. The Republicans need to take responsibility for eight years of creating problems and be part of the solution instead of continually attacking Obama for not fixing everything in just over one year.

President Obama’s job is tough beyond comprehension and his actions often baffling but I still believe in his intellect, vision and potential to be a great president. I need for him to prove to me his commitment to progressive values. Obama needs to toughen up and fight back - and again inspire the American people to work for a better America for all.

We progressives need to remember and revive the passion of the campaign and the thrill of the inauguration. We need to overcome our exhaustion and creeping cynicism and again work to advance Obama's vision for America.

Here are recent commentaries to remind us what we're fighting for and what we're fighting against - plus information about a few glaring problems and shining opportunities.

Obama's 'Perfect Storm'? by Clarence B. Jones, HuffingtonPost.com, June 14, 2010 - ...The current "perfect" political storm confronting Obama says more about his supporters than about him. This "storm" may be a litmus test of the political maturity and wisdom of President Obama's organizational and voter base...
I am not suggesting that the president be given an uncritical "blank check."...If Obama's supporters want the change they voted for, then they should return to their grassroots agitation and organization to mobilize voters in support of the change they seek...don't we want President Obama to navigate successfully through this "Perfect Storm?" full text

Rove Rides Again - Bush's former strategist is secretly seizing control of the GOP – and amassing $135 million to destroy the Democrats by Tim Dickinson, Rolling Stone magazine, May 27, 2010 -…By building a war chest of unregulated campaign cash…Rove would be able to wage the midterm elections on his own terms: electing candidates loyal to the GOP's wealthiest donors and corporate patrons....The only part of the Rove brand really is just winning… full text

Party of No: How Republicans and the Right Have Tried to Thwart All Social Progress by Arun Gupta, TruthOut.org, posted on May 23, 2010 …Republicans are obstructionist for one simple reason: it’s a winning strategy. Opposing progressive policies allows the right to actualize the ideals that both motivate and define their base... full text

The Christian Fascists Are Growing Stronger by Chris Hedges, first posted on TruthDig Posted on June 8, 2010 on Alternet.org. ...Tens of millions of Americans, lumped into a diffuse and fractious movement known as the Christian right, have begun to dismantle the intellectual and scientific rigor of the Enlightenment. They are creating a theocratic state based on “biblical law,” and shutting out all those they define as the enemy. This movement, veering closer and closer to traditional fascism...
There are wild contradictions within this belief system. Personal independence is celebrated alongside an abject subservience to leaders who claim to speak for God...It speaks of love and promotes fear of damnation and hate. There is a terrifying cognitive dissonance in every word they utter...Those gathered into the arms of this Christian fascist movement are desperately struggling to survive in an increasingly hostile environment....They have a right to their rage and alienation. But they are also being used and manipulated by forces that seek to dismantle what is left of our democracy and abolish the pluralism that was once the hallmark of our society. full text

Glenn Beck Plugs Book ‘Rife with Anti-Semitism and Racism’; Is He Getting Crazier? Posted By Joshua Holland, altenet.org, June 8, 2010   Is Glenn Beck a terrifying lunatic clown, whose historical revisionism only serves to support his twisted brand of populism, or is he a whip-smart self-promotional genius in it for the bucks? full text

Why Don't We Have a National Narrative of Empathy? by Ira Chermus, History news Network, June 11, 2010 full text

Hard Times Spur Ideas for Change by Monica Davey
New York Times, May 24, 2010
As states around the country gird for another grim budget year, more leaders have begun to talk not of nipping, not of tucking, but, in essence, of turning government upside down and starting over. full text

more quotations below

The American Flag – background

It’s commonly believed that Francis Hopkins, a Congressman from New Jersey and signer of the Declaration of Independence,   designed the flag and Betsy Ross of Philadelphia sewed it, although  specifics have been lost in history. A proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 officially established June 14 as Flag Day and in 1949 the date was affirmed by an Act of Congress.

The Act of Congress says: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union.

American Symbols: Does ‘Old Glory’ stir your blood?  This is the question being asked today by Dr. Wayne Baker at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research who created and hosts the OurValue.org website.

Dr. Baker says, “Throughout many eras, the flag has been a potent American symbol. This week on OurValues.org, we’ll talk about the special role symbols play in America. For now, let me ask you these questions: Do you feel proud when you see Old Glory fly? Does it stir your blood? What does the flag mean to you?"
To partipate in this discussion go to OurValues.org
To learn more about Dr. Baker and Our Values here.

ProgressiveValues.org's mission is to help Americans understand the progressive ideas on which our country was founded and to articulate a progressive narrative based on these moral values. I'm convinced that when people go beneath the day-to-day chatter and consider our country's core principles, and contrast the progressive worldview with today's conservative extremist worldview, they'll choose to work for a progressive vision for America's future.

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