The Power to Overcome
Today during some of the very limited TV viewing I do I watched some commemoritive services for Rosa Parks, including the '99 awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal. I also saw some others stories of atheletes overcoming incredible odds and it got me to thinking of all those others with so much to overcome, like the peoples of Iraq and Afganistan or even in our freest of all nations with a sordid racial past. There are millions of little triumphs everyday we don't hear about of people overcoming personal handicaps or injury to succeed anyway.
In the sports world the comebacks of Lance Armstrong from cancer and Hermann Meir from a devastating motorcycle accident to once again to rule the downhill skislopes are incredibly inspiring and well known as are many others. Credit to CBS for this story of a teenager in Nebraska, she is one of the states top young atheletes, volleyball, basketball and is the top miler in the state track and field. The only differrence in her and her peers is she has cystic fibrosis and an impregnable positive spirit to overcome a disease with a life expectacy of just 35 years. I have worked with handicapped folks and as a child I remember their sheer joy for life even if they didn't have the abilities I have.
What does this have to do with Rosa Parks? As a classic southern lady she was faced with a mountain of an obstacle to overcome and bueyed by her faith in the Lord she lifted her eyes up and saw the top of that mountain and began to climb never looking back and with the summit in her sites that we are equal in God's eyes not the government's. Her climbing partner was her minister the unknown Dr. Martin Luther King. Two ordinary, God loving american citizens stood up for their rights peacefully, forcefully and rightiously. A world apart from the words of Louis Farrakan, today and his separatist, segregationist movement, shame her legacy, one they wish to triumph. I grew up in George Wallace run Alabama and have worshipped at the 16th Street Babtist Church and have met many Rosa Parks in my years. Dr. Rice came from the same region of Alabama and is now the most powerful woman in the world. She overcame her obstacles and pursued her goals, a gifted pianist, diplomat, historian, possibly the first woman POTUS and overseer of the greatest political reformation in the history of the middle-east. The only barriors in this country are self imposed and built by a failing school system.
Historically this great nation faces great challenge with dynamic solutions and as a result we learn and grow and become a better country for it. We are facing great challenges again with the threat of islamo-fascism, not all of Islam is radical but 10% of a billion is alot of jihadiist murderers. Despite the Cindy Sheehans and Ward Churchills out there spewing their retoric america must overcome this obstacle as we have so many times before.
I will leave you with my two favorite quotes from our founding.
"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, 'What should be the reward of such sacrifices?' ... If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen!" --Samuel Adams
"It is in vain, sir, to extentuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"--Patrick Henry
God Bless America!!!
ps. One of my favorite sources Bill Roggio is off to Iraq and this interview with the marine col. that invited him is enlightening. I have been in contact with Bill and will get it hot from the press.
Also welcome a new addition to the Barnyard, Tug Boat Cap'n , another country boy with his eye on america and a fellow free market capitalist, a keyboard salute from the rest of us varied critters in the Barnyard. Lorez at Just a Woman and Mark at 4 Rows Back also have wonderful posts up. Mark's is especially touching having worn those shoes before. A BarnYard salute to Mark and his efforts!
4 comments:
Thanks for the linkage, Goat. There are many stories of Overcoming out there. When I was in high school, Our school had an athelete who was a state championship wrestler who ran track, too. He was born without eyes. What an amazing story!
That is why I so despise the victomhood methodology to a get rich quick scheme. I think most of us children and grandchildren, the Boomers and Xers, have forgotten what it means to toil from dawn to dusk just to survive and then to rest and give thanks to Lord. We have fallen into our 7-5 lives and pay illegal immigrants instead of the ambitious neighborhood kid trying to buy his first car to mow our lawns and do our chores. A victom dies in a murder or gets run over by a truck, not someone who is lazy and complacent and blames others for their status as a stupid, lazy, crybaby. Can you see the political split here? I am not saying all liberals are lazy just that many work to hard at the wrong things, like Pinko anti war rallies paid for by deep pocketed hypocritical socialists. Well enough ranting for now.
The conservative movement took on an obstacle of a bad week last week and turned those lemons into some mighty fine lemonade. Sam Alito, no major indictments or WH conspiracy, the economy continues its freighttrain momentum and Ben Bernanke's appointment to the Fed ignites Wallstreet. A high five and a beer or tall cold glass of sweet lemonade and back to work. We got our showdown.
Hi Goat.
Great post, and I agree with your comment as well.
I am sick of the crybaby loser whiner mentality myself, as evidenced by my lates post.
Check it out, you might like it.
(You may be the only one who does.)
I hope you do, anyway. I need a little positive reinforcement right now...
I am very discouraged at the mindset of my fellow Americans.
We all know better than the things that we are beginning to advocate.
Hey, Sheepdog, you've been missed in the Barnyard ole buddy. Those that don't know our Sheepdog he has been in the Gulf region helping out with his church for the last couple months. A great guy and debating dynamo that keeps the Goat well herded, I am glad he is back and look forward to his recap.
Post a Comment