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Thursday, January 20, 2005

Freedom Now

I just finished watching the inaugural ceremony and I was so moved by it (as I have been every time I have had the opportunity to watch it every four years). I was very mindful and aware of the many gifts and opportunities I have living in this country, particularly as a woman. Things are not perfect, but they are sure better than the alternative!

Here are some of my favorite parts of President Bush's address:

"There is only one force of history that can break the reign of hatred and resentment, and expose the pretensions of tyrants, and reward the hopes of the decent and tolerant, and that is the force of human freedom."

"America's vital interests and our deepest beliefs are now one. From the day of our Founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth. Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave. Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our Nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers. Now it is the urgent requirement of our nation's security, and the calling of our time."

"Some, I know, have questioned the global appeal of liberty - though this time in history, four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen, is an odd time for doubt. Americans, of all people, should never be surprised by the power of our ideals. Eventually, the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul. We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery. Liberty will come to those who love it."

"By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well - a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world."

"We go forward with complete confidence in the eventual triumph of freedom. Not because history runs on the wheels of inevitability; it is human choices that move events. Not because we consider ourselves a chosen nation; God moves and chooses as He wills. We have confidence because freedom is the permanent hope of mankind, the hunger in dark places, the longing of the soul. When our Founders declared a new order of the ages; when soldiers died in wave upon wave for a union based on liberty; when citizens marched in peaceful outrage under the banner 'Freedom Now' - they were acting on an ancient hope that is meant to be fulfilled. History has an ebb and flow of justice, but history also has a visible direction, set by liberty and the Author of Liberty."

"America, in this young century, proclaims liberty throughout all the world, and to all the inhabitants thereof."

All I can think is lucky lucky me to live in the United States of America, with all her flaws and problems, it is still a fabulous place to raise a family and pursue my goals.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

Hey...don't I have one of those?

So here I am, a little over a year after starting my own blogging experience, just remembering that I even have a blog. Life got in the way--in the intervening time I have moved, had a baby, and am now planning a cross country move. My husband was offered his dream job; with great trepidation, I have encouraged him to accept it even though it means moving from our family and loved ones and taking a cut in pay and...it is the perfect job for him and he will make a difference in the world doing it, so how could I not support him?

The thing that brought me back to blogger.com was a post on the forums at www.ttapp.com. Another member, Kestrel, is using this same blog to record her TTapp journey ( http://ttappchallenge.blogspot.com/ ),. I though, "Hey, don't I have one of those too?" And sure enough, here it was, patiently waiting for me. Which brings me back to one of the fundamentals of Adult Education--it is always there for the learner when the learner is ready, just like that old adage, "When the learner is ready, the teacher appears." That is the hallmark (or should be) of Adult Ed.

So here I am.

Inspired by Kestrel, I want to catalogue my journey, TTapp and otherwise. Somehow doing this makes me feel like I still have a voice, like I still matter. And perhaps, maybe just perhaps, be a balancing voice to my brother's, who seems to have become quite the cynic about our family and growing up years.

So sit back, enjoy the ride, because I guarantee it will be interesting.