Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty
The 4th of July 2009 – is the 233rd anniversary for our Declaration of Independence and I am privileged to launch this “WE THE PEOPLE” blog as a “community blog” with The Janesville Gazette website.
“WE THE PEOPLE” is the identity for this blog because it is the key principle for our republic. That principle was put into ALL CAPS BOLDFACE by Abraham Lincoln as he concluded his Gettysburg Address, “that government of the PEOPLE, by the PEOPLE and for the PEOPLE shall not perish from the earth.”
What have you pledged to support the “WE THE PEOPLE” principle? Have you joined the signers of our Declaration of Independence in 1776, “…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor”?!
Are you an informed and involved citizen of our republic who not only talks about, but WALKS the talk, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,…”?!
My motivation in accepting the Gazette’s invitation to experiment with a “community blog” is based on my long-time mission for democracy/civics education. That mission included the development and maintenance of the WASHINGTON SEMINAR with the week-long field study in Washington, DC which started at Parker High School, Janesville in 1973. The goal of Seminar was to provide young citizens with an in-depth, hands-on education for informed and involved citizenship in our republic. NOTE: Every reader of this blog ought to be aware that a person becomes a citizen of the United States when born in the US. This means that our children are US citizens and have numerous rights and responsibilities as US citizens. Yes, even elementary school children. We ought to be empowering them as US citizens!
There is provision for COMMENTS on this blog online. I do hope that you will make comments with candor and civility so that this becomes a DIALOG rather than a monologue/lecture. Please. Thank you!
I have been told I need to explain my ALL CAPS style in writing. I do NOT follow or accept the usual & customary Internet protocol that ALL CAPS means one is YELLING/SCREAMING. Rather, I find that ALL CAPS are needed to provide the modulation of communication which is natural in my articulation when speaking. One must modulate one’s voice for effective oral communication. Why not for effective written communication? When I use ALL CAPS,it is for EMPHASIS. This has long been my writing style, even before the Internet when I was writing using a typewriter in the last century. HA! I have appreciated Frank Schultz’s sense of humor when he with his Gazette colleagues wrote a very funny column about quirky behaviors/situations throughout the Janesville area. I felt privileged that Frank asked, “What would happen if the shift key on John Eyster’s typewriter broke?” My students laughed! I had been immediately identified with appreciation. THANK YOU, FRANK SCHULTZ!
I shall be writing on this blog as time allows and as I have issues/topics for discussion. If you have suggestions, I welcome reading them on the comments complementing this blog online.
Best wishes to you all – each and every one – for a MEANINGFUL and enjoyable 4th of July 2009!
Mr. E.
John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Jul 6, 2009 at 12:34 a.m.
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Pretty gun shy about the media promoting Liberty, it is an extremely rare thing as of late.
Jul 5, 2009 at 10:31 p.m.
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Should be interesting. Hopefully not one person's opinion only!
Jul 5, 2009 at 8:44 p.m.
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Great addition to this site!!
Jul 5, 2009 at 2:26 p.m.
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How appropriate, John, to launch this new blog on the July 4th weekend! It was interesting to read the Sunday Gazette Destinations section where the real story behind the Gettysburg address was printed.
TUSEN TAKK for your eternal vigilance!
s/ a Fomenter
Jul 5, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.
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Placebo, your curiosity and interest are encouraging. I believe posts and blogs such as these are going to be our most effective weapon against the "Ruling Class" that we succumb to today. There are numerous sites that spring up every day that cater to individual wants, desires and interests. I cannot stress enough that we all have to take the time to become better informed about what is happening at home and in Washington. Talk to your relatives,friends and neighbors, get everybody you can interested. And no, you can't compete against moneyed interests the way things now stand! But I truly believe that this blog and others like it is going to be an effective tool for "US".
Jul 4, 2009 at 7:13 p.m.
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Thanks for this article Mr. Eyster! Very well written.. I'm eternally grateful that our forefathers were such intellectual thinkers and not drones to a specific media agenda that's so evident in todays culture. We need more men and women to understand that their worldview DOES have consequences and that we're in a fight! We don't all have to agree on the same beliefs, however, when it became acceptable to ridicule others and not be able to sit down and be civil when discussing what's right for the people, this is when the loss of our most valuable possession as a society began....... OUR FREEDOM! God bless everyone. Happy Birthday U.S.A!
Jul 4, 2009 at 5:02 p.m.
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What are your thoughts on lobbyists vs. the average citizen. I can call my representatives and state my case, but how can I compete with paid professionals whose sole purpose is to further the agenda of their organizations? I have been to public hearings where lobbyists who speak are recognized and known by their first name, and that is usually accompanied by some brief small talk.
I don't understand why everyone cannot represent themselves and level the playing field. I don't have the inside track in Madison or Washington, it seems undemocratic that most issues are settled long before the public hearing stage. Please give me your thoughts.
Jul 4, 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
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I thought maybe this was a blog for the HARD OF HEARING!
Jul 4, 2009 at 10:36 a.m.
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John, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Your insight into such issues will entlighten many(and maybe enrage a few) but that is what makes this the greatest country in the world. Again, thanks.
Commissioner Wolfe
Jul 4, 2009 at 9:54 a.m.
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Congratulations. I read with great interest the article about the WASHINGTON SEMINAR lately. Patriotism includes unrelenting vigilance on the people we elect to carry out our wishes. It's unfortunate but that is the way it is. Hopefully this catches on all over the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!
Jul 4, 2009 at 8:26 a.m.
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Congratulations! I'm excited to read your thoughts. I'd also like to thank the Gazette...this was definitely a good move!!!
Jul 4, 2009 at 7:03 a.m.
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SO JUST DO IT, AND LET'S HAVE SOME FUN! I know I will.
Jul 4, 2009 at 7 a.m.
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Congratulations on your blog. You can always try out your ideas on "The Breakfast Club"!
Jul 3, 2009 at 9:43 p.m.
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John, congrats on your blog! I know that your blogs will be informative and inspirational as you are.
Sam L.
Jul 2, 2009 at 7:10 p.m.
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Congratulations on your "BLOG". I look forward to your distinct and unabashed style of commentary! You WILL indeed provoke stimulating thoughts from all over the place! Have FUN....I know I'll enjoy reading....and maybe commenting from time-to-time.
Happy 4th everyone!
"Here we go.....!"
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