FCFD

"Historians debate whether history is made by individuals or by structural forces."- -- Carl Bogus; historian, author.

This is another one of those all too many issues in which the human brain simply refuses to deal with a question in a  sensible manner. Instead, we insist on creating a strained and rigid polarity which does not exist in reality. It seems impossible to me that anyone could seriously deny that a single "great man" can have a massive influence on history. On the other hand, it is also clear that there are forces existing in any given society which push that society in a particular direction.

Consider the United States of America prior to the Civil War. Since the founding of the nation, it was clear that there would always be a terrible stress between slaveholders and abolitionists.  If the slaveholders could not have their way, who could doubt that they would not willingly submit to the will of the majority? Similarly, abolitionists insisted that slavery was a vile and intolerable evil which must be expunged from the face of the earth.  There was no stable compromise possible for these two belief systems.   Abolitionists were at least flexible, being willing to make the moral surrender of rewarding slaveholders by purchasing the freedom of their "property".  Slaveholders were far more rigid.  They came from a violent society and obviously would violently resist any diminution of their lifestyle. Slaveholding to them was a way of life. Being called "master" was essential to their very sense of manhood.

The extant social forces inevitably brought things to a point of bloody conflict. The Civil War could conceivably have been prevented:  Jackson managed to avoid it several decades earlier and Buchanan was practically eager to to let the South go, while men like McClellan were almost desperate to appease the South and thus "save" the Union.  If Lincoln had not been elected, the South would not have panicked; if he had not done as good a job of running the country as he did, the Condeferates might well have successfully seceded.  Clearly, our actual history was a combination of the great man and the impetus of the sociological forces acting together at that time.

What causes history, great men or social forces? The question makes as much sense as asking what makes a plant thrive, sunlight or water?

Egypt -- A Thought Experiment

Just a few thoughts on continuing revolution in Egypt. It's been noted and debated that while Morsi was democratically elected, he has acted in a very authoritarian manner. The question then becomes, is it appropriate to remove him by main force or wait and return to the ballot box in three years? I find it very interesting that people who have similar positions regarding democracy and freedom have taken opposite stances on this particular issue.  Some insist that if Egypt is to be be a successful democracy, the world must be patient and wait for the next election to address these issues.  Others, normally in close agreement with this first group, say that Morsi has forced the issue and left the Egyptian people with little choice except to rebel.

The issue is very complex.  On the one hand, it is been stated that the real test of the success of the American Revolution was the first transfer of power from one political party to the next through peaceful elections rather than armed rebellion.  On the other hand, in spite of some very difficult times, the conflicting American political parties were united in their dedication to the concept of democracy.  Morsi's party, the Muslim Brotherhood, has demonstrated that it is not.

I don't intend to get into the jumble of complex issues here, I just want to propose a simple thought experiment.  Assume we are in an alternate universe just after the American Revolution and the first elections under the Constitution. We are Patriots. We have fought long and hard for our freedom and have elected Washington to be our first president. But all our hope and joy begin to evaporate.  Now that he is in power, Washington has declared that he has the right to alter the Constitution if he so wishes. He adds that he is virtually above any limitation imposed by the courts, thus negating the concept of the balance of powers.  

Finally, and perhaps most disturbing, he has declared that, as a loyal member of the Masonic Order, he will take action to ensure that America will now and forever after be a Masonic nation.  Masonic Law will be American Law and the Masonic Order will be the official and privileged religion of the nation.  Other religions may, or may not, be tolerated.

As a Patriot, what do you do? Do you wait for the next elections knowing that during those few years Washington will do all he  can to adjust the Constitution to ensure that his party and his faith will rule forever? Or do you take action now by turning back to the Continental Army to continue the revolution? It's an interesting question, isn't it?

While you are thinking about it, remember that under both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution, former Patriot soldiers did mount rebellions against their new government. I'm referring, of course, to Shays' Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion.

P

Cory's Song

Last song of the series. It's the last one not because there are no other people who should have songs, but because they are either so young that I have not yet found the one song that most represents them, or because they are so physically distant from me that I am not able to determine the correct one.  This one is especially appropriate because it was the song they got me thinking that I should create this series, and it has already been posted as a sort of prequel.

So, this one is for my oldest grandson, Cory. It's appropriate because its a song about a man doing a hard, tough job in a brutal world, yet who manages to retain his own humanity as well as his sensitivity to the humanity of the poor and desperate who share his existence.  That means that the song's evocation of him is enhanced by its being the theme song news for the series, Copper.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=95itEHED8Hk

Song for Joshua

This song, unsurprisingly, is for my grandson, Joshua. It's not only his song because of the name coincidence, but also because he, too, is a warrior. I've included two versions because the song has been expressed in so many different ways. But these two particularly speak to me.



A beautiful choral version:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0OnXdlgAFs

And the Dixieland instrumental version:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4mC7C3Jtzk

Reality Meets Sci Fi

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2013/06/28/three-parent-ivf-set-to-go-ahead-in-britain/#.UdR1isu9KSN

In an effort to produce a healthy child with the potential for a reasonably disease-free life, the article above indicates that scientists in Britain will attempt to create the first child who genetically has three parents. The disease affecting this child's parents, and therefore the child (if action is not taken) is spread through the mitochondria. All children receive the pattern for their entire set of mitochondria from their mother.

By taking the nucleus of a donated egg and replacing it's nucleus with the nucleus of the child's mother to be, this problem will be avoided. However, this will mean the child will genetically have two mothers -- technically.

At least some individuals have already objected to this as an immoral procedure. But I just can't see that. The accusation that the scientists involved are playing God could be, and was, applied to such issues as anesthesia; until Queen Victoria chose to use anesthesia for herself during childbirth, thus putting an end to that issue. Before she did so, ministers were actually preaching against anesthesia from the pulpit! Their position was quite simple. If God didn't want us to suffer horrible pains and agony, he wouldn't have given us the ability to suffer horrible pains and agony. That's logic, that is.

The Jetson's never dreamed of children with three parents, but I'll take this over flying cars. Opponents object on the basis of morals. I say morality compels medical action to prevent disease and provide a healthy life. To all the children, not yet conceived, who will be freed from disease and suffering, and to the doctors and scientists who will set them free; I say, this is why God gave us brains, to use them to better human life.

God bless you, one and all! You're doing His work.

The Supremes

The Roberts Court to corporations: Not only are you human beings, you are American citizens of the most superior class. Your rights are greater than those of mere members of the species, Homo Sapiens.

The Roberts Court to gays: You are tentatively accepted as having the potential to become full American citizens. You may now attempt to convince the states to grant you this privilege.

The Roberts Court to Blacks and other minorities: Please return the back of the bus.

Song for Onna

Her name is pronounced Anna. Her mother says she spelled it that way because she wanted her daughter's name to be unique, even while familiar. I think she wasn't a very good speller. But in any event here's the link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_a46WJ1viA