DeeGeesLifeBlog ~ Life as Art ~ Or is it Heart?

“The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors; they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.” ~ Samuel Adams

If anyone out there is looking for reliable insight on the American Spirit, common sense, tenacity and all round appreciator of liberty and freedom under the rule of law, look no further than Bill Whittle, wordsmith extraordinaire with just the right amount of sardonic underbite that God blessed him with! … (cont’d)

John Jay, First Supreme Court Justice…

“The success and greatness that comes to America is a result of the spirit and enthusiasm of the American people in pursuing the American dream and seeking to be successful in their lives. The history of the United States has proven countless times that the greatness of America is directly proportional to the spirit of the American people in the cause at the time. When spirit is low, America’s greatness is diminished like from the lack of public support during the Vietnam War and Watergate. The greatness of America at any given time is completely reliant on the determination and focus of the people.” ~ Daniel Taylor, age 18, Ogden

“Neither of them could have done it alone, Wilbur and Orville used to argue so frequently and so vehemently that it was not uncommon for each to have been convinced of the others’ position and then the argument continued unabated with the combatants having switched sides. But it was this interplay that made powered flight possible, the contentiousness, but also familiarity, the support and ultimately the love for each other and their common vision that kept the whole thing going …. Each brother kept the other going and brought out his best. This is a very rare dynamic and a very powerful one, powerful enough in this case, to have allowed 2 unknown middle class bicycle mechanics from Dayton Ohio to succeeed …” (cont’d)

“America’s greatness is revealed in the lives of her people. In all actuality, America’s greatness is the lives of her people: their patriotism, loyalty, and love for America create the foundation of greatness that America stands on today. Men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Patrick Henry are known for their stories of bravery and risking their lives for that which they knew to be true. All these men had American spirit that is easily detectable in the strength of their conviction to America. To me, to have American ‘spirit’ is to have respect, reverence, love, and appreciation for America and her legacy. Greatness in a country doesn’t come without greatness in its people.” ~ Andrea Foster, age 17, Hooper

A sentiment which is brilliantly stated in the video, and I love the way Mr Whittle can draw out inspiration by articulating beautiful true stories of greatness and the qualities it takes to achieve it. There are so many of these types of stories that go untold or are under appreciated, but Bill has an uncanny ability to combine entertainment and information, simply by observing the character traits that seem to be fading away in our society and being replaced with unsavory traits that tend to divide us, as opposed to bringing us together and inspiring each other to be the best we can be. Intelligence. Perseverance. Courage … (cont’d)

“Many of us hope for something that may be impossible. Even though we know it may be impossible we still yearn for hoping that whatever it is happens. Once hope is lost people start to become the walking dead. Both America’s Greatness and Spirit can come from the hope that comes from celebrating a simple holiday or participating in a family reunion.” ~ Brandan Williams, age 18, Farr West

The rare gold of Constructive Criticism is something this country is losing with its nuance, agenda, and dis-ingenuousness. On one hand it takes trust for someone to give criticism (lest the friendship is lost), and quite another for someone to receive it well. Both parties require a kind of purity of trust, honesty and ego-less evaluation if it’s going to work. To have that combination in a friendship is now becoming more rare as the society continues to coarsen. But when it does occur – the stereo of 2 minds – it’s incredible. Really … (cont’d)

“For me, the answer to this question is simple. The American Spirit is America’s Greatness. Spirit is what is deep down in our souls, in our roots, and in our ability to come together, even in the face of adversity and tragedy. I am still young and have my whole life ahead of me. But even now, I know the meaning of freedom. I feel America’s history in my heart and soul. I know her greatness and I know her spirit. I love this country. I will continue to keep the sprit of this country in all I do in my life so that this United States of America will continue to be the greatest nation on earth.” ~ Garrett Gallegos, age 18, West Haven

My soul has been in need of a boost for the past six months with all the lawlessness going on between the three branches of our so-called government; a needed “love potion number 9” to bring to mind those American virtues and values, for which I normally look to one of my many favorite speeches by Ronald Reagan, or inspiration from the great Christian writers throughout history, but this video and the quotes from our up-and-coming-younger generation did the trick today!  To be honest, this actually brought “a wee tear to me eyes” to the understanding that we still have heroes here in America, but one has to go far, far, away from Washington D.C. to find them – usually in “fly-over country” (which seems very appropriate in this context!)

“Many people talk about how they feel America has lost the spirit, will, and morals of the past. But I say America is still great, it is powerful, unwavering and nothing can or will ever stop us because of the will and American spirit we have all grown to love and know as justice and virtue. We, the American people are the northern star for all others, and it is all because we have the will, the right, and the spirit to fight.” ~ Kaidan Mickelsen, age 18, West Haven

Yes. I quite agree, Bill, and with all you young folks. A wonder to behold!

“Experience teaches us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government’s purposes are beneficent. Men born to freedom are naturally alert to repel invasion of their liberty by evil-minded rulers. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” ~ Justice Louis Brandeis