WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary….
I am NOT an “African-” American Mark Robinson at BLEXIT Greenville
byVanderleunonSeptember 15, 2020
One of the finest speeches you will hear in this or any other year. His ancestors came via the Middle Passage. Mine came via the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It’s almost four centuries later and we are, now, all Americans. It’s time to retire the hyphen.
Robinson speaks like a preacher, and speaks a truth about being an American, non-hyphenated. With that said, I think it would be more honorable for Robinson to be a Christian witness, of the likes of Billy Graham, rather than a politician, as politics in this the 21st century is a most dishonorable vocation.
@John Velnet — Maybe we need to raise our expectations of politicians.
TerrySeptember 15, 2020, 7:14 PM
To raise our expectations of politicians may result in an even deeper disdain for the occupation. The argument there would be, how much lower can politicians sink into the muck.
There are a few exceptions I suppose.
John VenletSeptember 16, 2020, 5:47 AM
Abigail, if by raising our expectations of politicians you mean electing representatives of the likes of Donald J. Trump, who actually is attempting to rein in government control of American lives, and as such is not a politician, then yes. Unfortunately, most individuals aspiring to political office are not interested in reining in the overreach of the state into individual lives. Rather, than are interested only in obtaining individuals’ votes, by promising them something obtained from the pockets of other citizens whose votes they do not need to obtain or retain a seat of power.
SteveSSeptember 21, 2020, 2:31 PM
John, yes Mark speaks truth about being American. This is precisely why his voice needs to be heard in the political arena. Speaking the truth as a black man politically has the potential to sway hearts and minds across the aisle. As a purely religious leader I feel it would be too easy to dismiss him. Wouldn’t his words be better heard in the political realm? That said, we need a spiritual revival in our country, big time.
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
Robinson speaks like a preacher, and speaks a truth about being an American, non-hyphenated. With that said, I think it would be more honorable for Robinson to be a Christian witness, of the likes of Billy Graham, rather than a politician, as politics in this the 21st century is a most dishonorable vocation.
Good on yer, Gerard!
@John Velnet — Maybe we need to raise our expectations of politicians.
To raise our expectations of politicians may result in an even deeper disdain for the occupation. The argument there would be, how much lower can politicians sink into the muck.
There are a few exceptions I suppose.
Abigail, if by raising our expectations of politicians you mean electing representatives of the likes of Donald J. Trump, who actually is attempting to rein in government control of American lives, and as such is not a politician, then yes. Unfortunately, most individuals aspiring to political office are not interested in reining in the overreach of the state into individual lives. Rather, than are interested only in obtaining individuals’ votes, by promising them something obtained from the pockets of other citizens whose votes they do not need to obtain or retain a seat of power.
John, yes Mark speaks truth about being American. This is precisely why his voice needs to be heard in the political arena. Speaking the truth as a black man politically has the potential to sway hearts and minds across the aisle. As a purely religious leader I feel it would be too easy to dismiss him. Wouldn’t his words be better heard in the political realm? That said, we need a spiritual revival in our country, big time.