End President's Day, Long Live Washington!

We recently went through the buffoonery of celebrating Presidents’ Day through grand sales at retail outlets and a delay in the post.  Why exactly the culture has decided that we should celebrate every single President - including the luminaries of Chester Arthur and Franklin Pierce - with deep discounts on appliances is beyond me.

Like so many of our other civic holidays, Presidents’ Day is mostly a sham.  It should be rooted out and our nation should again proudly celebrate Washington - alone.  He is truly the indispensable man in American history.  

The holiday was intended to commemorate the singular, historic accomplishments of George Washington.  February 22 (not the third Monday of February) is Washington’s true birthday.  After he was given to the ages, Americans began to celebrate his birthday without any government prodding.  In 1879, February 22 became an official federal holiday.  

That Washington deserved adulation was once a self-evident truth.  He played a key role in the skirmish that set off the French and Indian War.  That war led to enormous debt for the British Empire, which led the British imposing taxation without representation.  The British policy was a leading spark to the American Revolution.  Washington then commanded the Continental Army against the British.  Through a series of brilliant logistical and strategic actions, he wore down the finest military on the globe and won American independence.  In a masterstroke, he retired from public service.  Returning home to Mt. Vernon, he allowed the seed of freedom to sprout.  

Several years later, he was reluctantly cajoled to preside over the Constitutional Convention.  His support was crucial to ratification of the Constitution.  Not content to let Washington leave the field again, he was the only person unanimously elected (twice) as President.  As the first President, he created many of the traditions, and initiated many polices, that dominate even today.  He refused the major trappings of royalty, and understood his role as a president of a republic.  After his second term, he again voluntarily retired.  This act of relinquishing power was unparalleled since the ancients.   Awestruck, his nemesis - King George III - declared him the “greatest character of the age.”  For once, the King was right.

There was a time when Washington was recognized each year.  Today he is all but a caricature hawking carpets.  Although there are many reasons for this denigration, it was all but assured by the ruining of his holiday.  Beset by commercial and labor interests, President Richard Nixon issued an executive order fixing Washington’s Birthday on the third Monday on February.  Soon businesses and the popular culture transformed the day to “Presidents’ Day.”  Technically the federal holiday remains Washington’s - but practically it celebrates nothing.

The gutting of the holiday has consequences.  Like a religious liturgical calendar - which renews the faith of followers - America needs a civic calendar.  This calendar should make us pause to give thanks for our blessings and renew our faith in the country.  We still have the calendar (Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Veterans’ Day), but it has become so cheapened by money and three day weekends that it is worse than worthless. End the charade.

In his General Orders on July 2, 1776 to the newly formed Continental Army, Washington explained that “The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves . . . .The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army . . . . if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world.”  As a republic, his call harkens to us today.  The time is now in which the fates of millions rest.  Let us triumph.

Washington’s importance is why he holds a prominent position in the new civic celebration of Patriot Week, co-founded by me and my then 10 year old daughter Leah.  Patriot Week is renewing our civic calendar by celebrating the First Principles, Founding Fathers and other Patriots, vital documents and speeches, and flags that make America the greatest nation in world history. Anchored by the key dates of September 11 and September 17 (Constitution Day), Patriot Week renews America’s spirit and has captures the imagination and support of citizens across the nation.

Let us answer the challenge of freedom standing up for freedom and by vigorously celebrating Washington’s Birthday and Patriot Week.  

For more, visit www.PatriotWeek.org and www.AmericasSurvivalGuide.com.

The True Meaning of Patriotism

Oakland County, MI (January 23, 2014) –   “In America, patriotism is not simply the act of loving one’s country.  In America, patriotism is the love of our founding First Principles as articulated in the Declaration of Independence and embedded in our Constitution.”   Oakland County Circuit Judge Michael Warren declared recently to enthralled audiences.  “American Patriotism is keeping the flame of liberty alive.  American Patriotism is ensuring that our People and public officials stay true to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and promoting America’s exceptionalism at home and defending it overseas.”

Addressing approximately 150 guests at the Romeo Area Tea Party in Shelby Township and 50 guests at the Southeast Michigan 912 Group in Utica at a second event, Judge Warren provided an overview of many definitions and historically rooted perspectives on the meaning of patriotism.  “Most definitions of patriotism simply refer to love of country.  Others contend that patriotism is a negative force.” Judge Warren remarked.  “But in America, true patriotism is a much deeper, positive force.  And it is the love of the deeper meaning of America that is so essential to preserving our freedoms and liberties.”  After reviewing the American Revolution and the evolution of patriotism in America - he issued a challenge to the audience to renew the spirit of America by re-embracing our founding First Principles.

Alarmed that large portions of our students and the general public are ill-informed, Judge Warren and his then 10-year-old daughter Leah created Patriot Week in 2009.  The week is anchored by the key dates of September 11 (the anniversary of the terrorist’s attacks) and September 17 (Constitution Day, the anniversary of when the United States Constitution was signed). Patriot Week is a grassroots effort to celebrate and honor America by commemorating its First Principles (the rule of law, equality, unalienable rights, the Social Compact, limited government and the right to alter or abolish an oppressive government), key historical figures, founding documents and symbols.  It is intended to fill the void left by the commercialization or disregard of our existing holidays. Detailed information about Patriot Week is available at www.patriotweek.org.  He is also the author of America’s Survival Guide, How to Stop America’s Impending Suicide by Reclaiming Our First Principles and History.

The Sacred Fire of Liberty - Our Republic at Risk

"The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people." George Washington, First Inaugural Address.

Washington was right then, and right now.  The history of freedom in the world will rise and fall with the success of America.  That's why knowing our Constitution, our history, our foundation for freedom is so critical, and why it is so dangerous that we ignore them all.

To learn about how to combat the crisis, visit www.PatriotWeek.org and www.AmericasSurvivalGuide.com.

Our Lives, Our Nation

"Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives." John Adams.

This sentiment is the true essence of patriotism.  To paraphrase another President, its not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for her.  On the other hand, if we lived in Cuba or Iran, this might be a bit different, but as Americans, we believe in, and are the beneficiaries of the First Principle of the Social Compact.  The Social Compact provides that we give up some rights to the government so that it will protect our unalienable rights, and that we have the right to direct the government through the republican form of government.

This sentiment is all but lost today.  Way too many seem to think that the government exists to feed itself - the government is supposed to be a servant - of all - for the benefit of protecting our unalienable rights.  Look at the GSA scandal - those public "servants" did nothing but abuse their positions.

Time to return to our First Principles and the true purpose of government.  Our obligations to our country include the obligation to set it back on the right course.

To learn more, visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

Jackie Robinson - Breaking the Barrier in Baseball - 65 Years Ago

Today marks the 65th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.  He was a fine athlete, a strong man of character, and extremely resilient in the face of adversity.  His feat was no small accomplishment back then, and it paved the way for larger changes in our society.

Back then, baseball was THE sport.  Football was just getting started, hockey was very small, and basketball was hardly on the map.  Baseball was the national pastime, and everyone paid special attention to what was happening on the field.

To commemorate the event today, major league players all wore #42 - Robinson's retired number.

This feat helped us move one step closer to the First Principle of Equality (racial) - which is a fundamental premise of American society (often observed more in the breach than in reality) - i.e., that "all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights."  That a black man could be superstar on the largest stage knocked down many psychological and other barriers.

I am proud to note that a alum from my law school - the University of Michigan - played an indispensable role in Robinson's milestone.  Branch Rickey, a 1911 graduate, signed Robinson's contract - and pushed for it tirelessly.  Hats off to both men.  

To learn more about our First Principles, visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

Freedom Includes Rubbish...

"The price of freedom of religion or of speech, or of the press is that we must put up with . . . a good deal of rubbish."  Justice Robert H. Jackson.

Justice Jackson had it exactly right.  Freedom means the freedom to make mistakes, to talk outside of the political norm, and to be downright silly.  The ability to be free means we have to put up with the same thing from others.  The unalienable rights of the free exercise of religion, petition, speech, press and association means we have to suffer with the fools as well as with the brilliant.   It is for the marketplace of ideas to decide what will prevail in the end, not government censors.  Lets keep it that way.

For more, visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide

Endowed by the Creator, NOT the Government

Alexander Hamilton summed up the American sentiment when he noted that "Natural liberty is a gift of the beneficent Creator to the whole human race."

For most of human history, Hamilton's words could be reworked as "liberty is a gift of the beneficent Government . . . ."  In 1776, America rejected that belief, and declared to the world that "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  . . . ."

Unfortunately, all too often, it seems that our discourse has slid backwards to the Old World Order - in which the public must beg for privileges from the government.  When is the last time you heard a politician discuss unalienable rights?

I stand with the Founders and Hamilton.  If you do too, show it when you vote, participate in politics, and engage in political discourse.  Time to remind ourselves that our rights are from the Creator - and unalienable.

To learn more about unalienable rights, visit Patriot Week and America's Survival Guide.

Stand Tall, Do Not Bow to the Government

"Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us?" William O. Douglass, US Supreme Court Justice

Justice Douglass' words remind us that we are Americans.  Being an American means quite a bit, the most important of which is that we are free men and women - there is no nobility or King here.  Too often our political class acts like its entitled to lord over us.  It is just the opposite - the government is intended to serve the people - the government is the servant of the people, not the other way around.  Be vigilant, stand tall, stand for freedom.

To learn more about freedom, check out Patriot Week and Americas Survival Guide.

"[I]f the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted." --Noah Webster

Noah Webster was not just a great lexicographer, he had an astute political mind.  Although seemingly trite, his observation that a government full of unprincipled men must lead to corruption is very astute.  That men and women who run for office can leave principles behind in light of political or personal advantage is no surprise, but voting for a principled, honest politician has vexed American voters for generations.  Why is this so?  Are not the politicians simply an reflection of the people?  Perhaps principled government is hard to come by because we as a people have forgotten our principles and history.  The studies reveal that our citizenry is poorly informed of even the most basic tenants of our Constitution - is it no wonder that those who ask for our votes are often unmoored from it?  This is why initiatives like Patriot Week and books like America's Survival Guide are indispensable to preserving our liberty.  Save the republic - educate yourself and your family and vote accordingly.