Gipper
Well-Known Member
We are the greatest because of the good qualities of our people. And because of the governmental system that gives room for those qualities to develop. I refer to qualities such as generosity. Americans are there not only when their neighbors need help, but even when strangers on the other side of the world do. Qualities such as honesty. Americans are by and large people you can trust. George Washington and the cherry tree, Abe Lincoln returning the book in the snow storm, are part of our national tradition. Qualities such as constancy. Americans can be counted on. They're not quitters, even when things look bleak. Valley Forge, and Bull Run are part of our tradition, too. Qualities such as tolerance. Americans believe in things, and believe deeply. But they'll try to persuade others to their way of thinking, and not coerce them. The first amendment, and the Virginia Declaration of Religious Freedom are part of our national tradition, too. And I could go on; self-reliance, initiative, civility -- these are also qualities we take pride in and regard as especially American, characteristic of our great country. These are what make us the greatest.
"The point I'm driving towards, and maybe it's taking me too long to get there, is that not only is it not true that we are the greatest because we are the freest, rather precisely the opposite is true: We are the freest because we have those qualities that make us the greatest. For freedom is a luxury that can be afforded only by the good society. When civic virtue diminishes, freedom will inevitably diminish as well.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog...lia-schools-other-commencement-addresses-his/
This from the great Justice Antonin Scalia... a high graduation speech.
So true. But sadly, liberalism will destroy our greatness.