“There is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.”

Isn't Christmas called winter festival by many now? Thanksgiving has become thanking the forefathers for the great government they gave us. In any case our traditions of the greatest importance have become to a great many very important partydays and not Holidays or Holydays. At the very least a time to forget one's burdens which are for a great part unlawfully foisted on them by the very society they live in by the majorities and those that lead them (special interests) continued usurpation of power not Constituionally granted by the limitations of power mandated in the 9th and 10th Amendments of the B.O.R.'s. Happy Tradition Day everyone. That's a good politically correct phrase that covers all holidays without offending anyone. This way every one can forget American traditions and replace them with their own. Values optional. There's not only a very grave danger of an announced need for security seized upon to expand the meaning of the Constitution it is a very REAL danger that is having its effect today because of, concealed censorship. The quote is another example of words of wisdom based on self evident truth, tested by history, and proven beyond doubt that it IS exactly ONE of the causes of our many problems our country faces now and in the near future that people either by choice or ignorance refuse in the first case or can't in the second, to see and acknowledge. The blind being led by the blinders placed on them by their all knowing intellectual "betters" to satisfy their lust for power. After the blinders are on the carrots and sticks are much more effective as the sheep see less of the reality around them until it's too late to avoid the collapse of what once was.

That nation that had at its core secure traditions of freedom and liberty through a government of law has not survived. The individual sovereign's representative Republic, limited by a finite Constitutional codex, complete with 10 Amendments denying the sophistry of men, has with force, been censored and concealed out of existence. Dictatorial power mongers, anxious to expand, have seized the nation by announcing increased security through vanquishing very grave dangers. Those most moral values of life, liberty, property ownership, and inalienable rights has been replaced by the de facto theocratic oligarchy's compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, enslaving larceny, corrupt courts, tyrannical legislature, and despotic executive.

Well said, Mike.

JFK's quote is very thought provoking. Increased security may be good but to the very limits of censorship and concealment may be a bad thing. Mike above as usual has flipped out.

This is a very good example of Kennedy's insight and prescience. ____Um, this is the first I've heard of "winter festival", and sheep burdened with blinders, sticks and carrots is quite a metaphor. Cheers.

Archer: in response to our last conversation (http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote_blog/Steve.Dasbach.Quote.57F1) a few days ago... I agree with your follow-up statement as well; however, can you explain how you arrived at your conclusion, and add clarification one what you meant by disagreeing that there can not be morality without "religion"? Truly, the "belief in a Creator" and "religion" are not synonymous -- this is how I initially interpreted your comment, based on your followed response. My most fundamental question is whether you stipulate to the conditions of a "Creator", or hold that there is no divine entity (I'm sure you've mentioned something about this over the years, but I simply cannot remember). How do you arrive that the root of morality is life, and that which is immoral is death? I know how the philosophers of the past have dealt with this supposition, but what is your premise? Are you basing this argument on the premise that there exists a divine being/essence, or upon man's ability towards reason and observation alone?

There is a better way to make your statements much more understandable. Just say it with correct structure, without the grandiloquent undertones. Plain good grammar seems to be underestimated by many. Use of proper punctuation, correct spelling, good sentence structure and succinct clarity of thought can make your statements much more easily understood by the reader. I did enjoyed your discourse though. Also, and most importantly... Faith in Jesus Christ is the only "religion" that has eternal worth. Jesus said, " I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME." There is only one path to Heaven and that path is Jesus Christ. This is the truth! And TRUTH IS TRUTH WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT OR NOT. I hope and pray that you do or you will. "Religion" is just a set of philosophical theories or an intellectual exercise unless it is based on truth which penetrates the heart of man and brings him or her to the One and The Only God.

Nice rant Kat. I did enjoyed (sic) it.

When traditions keep their semblence of 'best pratices,' then I agree. If these traditions are customs of fear and domination, I say good riddance. When it comes to American government, I am interested in the commitment to support and defend the Consitution -- a tradition that has truly yet to take hold.

Logan, as far as a 'Creator' goes, it really is beyond my ability of words to explain such an 'entity.' As a cosmologist, I cannot deny the possibilities of our universe being hundreds of billions of years old. Obviously, we exist. We can say that we are 'creations' and that this world we live in was 'created.' Whether that creation was completely set in the instant of a big bang, or whether it is constantly in a process of creation, I do not know. While humans reproduce, they do not 'create' other human beings per se -- it is a process that precedes us. There is incredible order in complex living organisms -- 'we' did not invent them, they have been since recorded time. Is the creation 'good?' What is the alternative? The Laws of Nature include the laws of action and reaction, of causality, of consequences and impacts. We are born with instincts, desires, and inclinations (how did that happen?!). The combination of our desires with the material world sets in motion the 'drama' of life whether we are fulfilling some 'divine' plan or simply making the choices available to us in every moment. Is there a creator? Well, it is such a huge incomprehensible thing -- it all depends on what you define as the 'creator.' Some would be happy to simply hear one say, 'yes there is a Creator,' and that's all they need hear about the subject. ;-) My sense is that life abounds in this universe (which is HUGE) and that life is miraculous and amazing. Is the Earth a living thing? Is the Sun? Is a rock? Why not? The process of life is one that I can trust in -- i do not fear death, I fear a wasted life. Is there power in prayer? I would say so, in more ways than one. Is the god of the Catholics the same god as the Baptists, or the Jews, or Allah? Just because we each think our religion (or lack thereof) is right, doesn't make it so. But I can say life is 'good,' without any reservation. From there all else finds its place.

I guess I could have simply said that 'life is sacred,' and from that all else springs.

Kennedy makes his point very well. I think what most people fail to understand is that one of the most basic rights we should be on gaurd for is the right to property. All other rights are underpinned by this most basic moral right. How? Ask yourself this, what was your first piece of property? Why, your own body of course. When a government can seize you from the street on trumped up charges under laws justified by the need for "security" you have tyranny. It follows then that that same government can take anything it wants from you. Your home, your possessions, even your children... The USA has gone a long way the wrong way. So when is the next revolution for freedom?

We only have to support and defend the Constitution until we change it. We have to obey all law just as lawyers do but we do not have to like it. That is why there is an Amendment Process in the Constitution. The Constitution is as fresh as today and our views individually and collectively are as valid as were the framers. As far as tradition goes be aware of what Jesus said about them in reference to religion. "Don't follow the tradittions of men but the Commandments of God."

What great rhetoric for a dumb nation

I was trying to search for JFK's famous speech about repugnant secret societies, and the tyranny of secrets, but I was not having much luck, and I couldn't help but to think they must be somehow censoring, or hiding the results for such a famous speech, (that we have all seen clips of it in the past), but then i found this, and I couldn't help but to think of the ultimate irony of this quote of his. ...
“There is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.”
~ John F. Kennedy
(1917-1963) 35th US President
Address, 27 April 1961

So totally unfortunate about this childish arrangement that we seem to practice, there's just not that much to preserve. We must grow-up and become fully fledged human beings. Adults don't play. Adults build a life preserving world.