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Open Poetry #45
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Michael G
Senior Member
since 2000-06-25
Posts 579
Nashville

0 posted 2009-06-22 10:31 PM


We were once americans,
a symbol of freedom
a rightous foundation of truth
to a world burdened by fear.
We were once americans,
standing to fight for rights
to follow our hearts
were others would perish in thought.
We were once free people,
of a land we now abuse
of rights long ago perished
of hope we cannot choose.
We were once the beacon,
our lady now turns her back
to those we must fight for
but close our eyes to those facts.
We were once America,
and now so must Iran
but we choose to ignore them
for politics is as hand.

© Copyright 2009 Michael G - All Rights Reserved
nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
1 posted 2009-06-23 07:42 AM


Everything is political, Michael.

Sometimes I see myself stepping into my parents' minds as I age...forgetting how naive and optimistic I once was about the world.

M

moonbeam
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Member Elite
since 2005-12-24
Posts 2356

2 posted 2009-06-23 11:47 AM


Humm interesting.  So what you are saying is that America now fails to stand up for liberty and freedom in the world?  That Obama's stance of non-interference in the current situation in Iran is tantamount to deserting those freedom seeking people in need?


Michael G
Senior Member
since 2000-06-25
Posts 579
Nashville
3 posted 2009-06-23 06:57 PM


It is not simply obama, it is all of us. Once we all stood for what was right. We are now so fractured that we no longer act as though we can acknowledge our freedoms much less those fighting for those same freedoms. It is a shame that our strength was once in our numbers, but now it is only in the amount we can make.
moonbeam
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Member Elite
since 2005-12-24
Posts 2356

4 posted 2009-06-24 04:06 AM


I see what you mean Michael.  Don't you think though that you often get a distorted view from the "inside"?  

I think that all empires suffer from the malaise of believing that their way is the right way.  The way that the US, and before that Britain, Russia, Rome, fought for and "acknowledged" "freedoms" was not necessarily a productive or even honest way to engender those freedoms.  When you are in a position of power (and this applies at the individual level just as much as at the national or international level) you have to be extremely sensitive to the fact that you are in a position to dictate.  That fact alone may make you insensitive to the true state of things.

Sometime imho it is no bad thing when empires move through the stages from paternalism, to bullying, to uncertainty, to humility, to understanding.  The US has, I believe, just passed through the bullying stage with the demise of your last leader - the current situation may not be very palatable, but it may be for the best.


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