Creation

Whenever I make something I try to visualize what the thing ought to be before I begin. This actually applies to more than the making of things, and I have come to use it in the making of myself.

This is why the, "What Would Jesus DO (WWJD)" mantra has appealed to me. For what is it other than thinking about how a thing should ideally be done, and then trying to live up to it?

Other ethical step-ladders along the same lines are, "Be a hero to yourself," or, "Above all to thine own self be true," or, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Well, when the founding fathers were making a nation and they sat down to declare their defiance to a king they wrote The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

I found that I could not reread that document without being ashamed of the United States' actions towards Iraq, since the list of grievances reads like a laundry list of Bush administration activities today.

But, the thrust of this post that I want to address is this: When the founding fathers wished to proclaim their Idea for America they formed a vision of it in their minds and described it in the greatest legal document of all time, The United States Constitution

It is the preamble which still burns with power when I read it even now:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

When president Bush speaks tonight I ask you to ask yourself if he speaks like a man that wishes to...

Form a more perfect union or sow disharmony.

Establish Justice or feed injustice.

Insure domestic tranquility or divide Americans by class, by race, and by religion.

Promote the general welfare or promote minority (monied, neocon, corporate) interests.

Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves or grab power for himself.

The vision of what America has been and should remain exists for all to read and to appreciate. I hope everyone keeps it in mind when the president speaks tonight, then finally the bonds of a long night can be broken.