You’ve taken Milosz’s great book “The Captive Mind” to the next level—well done!
As an aside, the boat in which Washington crossed the Delaware was made in the little village of Durham, two miles from where we live. There is a life-size replica of the boat on display in the village (and the Delaware River is also a couple miles away).
Sam, it saddens me that you even have to ask this question in our country when NYC Democrats chose a Socialist to represent them in the election for mayor. The benevolent Socialist system always ends with indiscriminate killing of its citizens.
I ended my essay #3 “We are going to America“ with “I’ve been celebrating everyday like it is July 4th!” Many observe that Naturalized Citizens who emigrated legally from behind the Iron Curtain feel the same way. It was enlightening and most interesting to read historian’s John McCullough’s books starting with “John Adams” about building the Declaration of Independence and “1776” on General George Washington executing and delivering on it. Celebrate the 4th, y’all! 🇺🇸
Your perspective as an immigrant, especially given where you came from, is one many Americans cannot understand. NYC is an interesting case study at the moment. Some people simply do not like being responsible for themselves. I need to check out McCulloughs book, thank you for the recommendation
McCullough used 1,000 letters that John Adams wrote and 2,000 letters by Abigail as firsthand accounts for his research. It transports one back in- time.
It is sad to me that most Americans do not know about Stalin purges, collectivization, famine, the Great Chinese famine and Mao’s Cultural Revolution. The anti family policies of the Khmer Rouge were always very striking to me. One former Khmer Rouge cadre recalled “At that time, the Khmer Rouge taught us to hate our parents and not to call them ‘Pok’ and ‘Me’ [Mom and Dad] be- cause our parents did not deserve to be ‘Pok Me.’ Only Angkar [the party] deserved to be children’s parents [Pok Me]. We believed what they said, and step by step they slowly made us crazy.” “The Angkar is more important to me than my fa- ther and mother,” another S-21 guard wrote in a “self-criticism.” I was very wary of the recent attempts by the US government to take power away from parents and give it to the state. America is imperfect but provided opportunity to my bog Irish ancestors. They landed in NYC on the eve of the Civil War, all but one male (too young), was impressed into the Union Army, none of them returned from war. Rather than go into a NYC orphanage, my great great grandfather walked to Ohio where he was adopted by a farmer. America is imperfect, but we should all remember that our bloodiest war was against each other. I’ll take imperfection over utopianism any day. Happy almost 4th of July.
A fine meditation on 7/4, Sam! The matter of who we see/treat as a "Thou" vs an "It" (as in Martin Buber's system) is all important. Some only view themselves as a precious center of consciousness. Others extend that view to their immediate family and blood kin. Few push their sphere of concern much farther than that. We pay a big price for failing to follow this bit of wisdom from Charles Darwin:
"As (humanity) advances in civilisation, and small tribes are united into larger communities, the simplest reason would tell each individual that (they) ought to extend (their) social instincts and sympathies to all members of the same nation, though personally unknown to (them). This point being once reached, there is only an artificial barrier to prevent (their) sympathies extending to the (people) of all nations and races."
It is a strange thing, and probably something we have all felt at one point or another. But what is fascinating is the extent to which some and countries and go to in order to act on it. Even more fascinating is how few people think it can happen here.
You’ve taken Milosz’s great book “The Captive Mind” to the next level—well done!
As an aside, the boat in which Washington crossed the Delaware was made in the little village of Durham, two miles from where we live. There is a life-size replica of the boat on display in the village (and the Delaware River is also a couple miles away).
Thank you, Chris. That is awesome, I need to check it out my next journey north!
I’d be very happy to show you around Sam!
Sam, it saddens me that you even have to ask this question in our country when NYC Democrats chose a Socialist to represent them in the election for mayor. The benevolent Socialist system always ends with indiscriminate killing of its citizens.
I ended my essay #3 “We are going to America“ with “I’ve been celebrating everyday like it is July 4th!” Many observe that Naturalized Citizens who emigrated legally from behind the Iron Curtain feel the same way. It was enlightening and most interesting to read historian’s John McCullough’s books starting with “John Adams” about building the Declaration of Independence and “1776” on General George Washington executing and delivering on it. Celebrate the 4th, y’all! 🇺🇸
Your perspective as an immigrant, especially given where you came from, is one many Americans cannot understand. NYC is an interesting case study at the moment. Some people simply do not like being responsible for themselves. I need to check out McCulloughs book, thank you for the recommendation
McCullough used 1,000 letters that John Adams wrote and 2,000 letters by Abigail as firsthand accounts for his research. It transports one back in- time.
It is sad to me that most Americans do not know about Stalin purges, collectivization, famine, the Great Chinese famine and Mao’s Cultural Revolution. The anti family policies of the Khmer Rouge were always very striking to me. One former Khmer Rouge cadre recalled “At that time, the Khmer Rouge taught us to hate our parents and not to call them ‘Pok’ and ‘Me’ [Mom and Dad] be- cause our parents did not deserve to be ‘Pok Me.’ Only Angkar [the party] deserved to be children’s parents [Pok Me]. We believed what they said, and step by step they slowly made us crazy.” “The Angkar is more important to me than my fa- ther and mother,” another S-21 guard wrote in a “self-criticism.” I was very wary of the recent attempts by the US government to take power away from parents and give it to the state. America is imperfect but provided opportunity to my bog Irish ancestors. They landed in NYC on the eve of the Civil War, all but one male (too young), was impressed into the Union Army, none of them returned from war. Rather than go into a NYC orphanage, my great great grandfather walked to Ohio where he was adopted by a farmer. America is imperfect, but we should all remember that our bloodiest war was against each other. I’ll take imperfection over utopianism any day. Happy almost 4th of July.
Americans were deliberately kept in the dark about them by the Communists and fellow travelers who inveigled their ways into positions of power.
Every person McCarthy accused of being a security risk was actually a Soviet spy.
Your book was powerful. Thank you for dropping this extra piece, and Happy almost 4th as well.
Great and powerful piece, Sam.
I appreciate it, Dan
A fine meditation on 7/4, Sam! The matter of who we see/treat as a "Thou" vs an "It" (as in Martin Buber's system) is all important. Some only view themselves as a precious center of consciousness. Others extend that view to their immediate family and blood kin. Few push their sphere of concern much farther than that. We pay a big price for failing to follow this bit of wisdom from Charles Darwin:
"As (humanity) advances in civilisation, and small tribes are united into larger communities, the simplest reason would tell each individual that (they) ought to extend (their) social instincts and sympathies to all members of the same nation, though personally unknown to (them). This point being once reached, there is only an artificial barrier to prevent (their) sympathies extending to the (people) of all nations and races."
This is beautifully said Baird. This whole thing — states, freedom in states — is an experiment. Education will be everything. Perspective is all.
💥💥🫡💪🏻💪🏻
I appreciate it, Dee. Have a great 4th!
"The intellectual: love of humanity, hatred for humans." Yup.
Or, as Linus said, "I love mankind. It's people that I can't stand."
It is a strange thing, and probably something we have all felt at one point or another. But what is fascinating is the extent to which some and countries and go to in order to act on it. Even more fascinating is how few people think it can happen here.