Feeling better

01.20.2005

I think. But still went down to Sindecuse for a doctor's opinion. Seem's I just have a flu & fatigue, but ran some blood & throat tests, just in case. Took in a hearty lunch, before heading off to give my 345 students their general history quiz. I'll try to catch up on some reading/writing this afternoon.

But today was Dubya's second inauguration, which is a big deal, I suppose. Did manage to peruse his speech. For what it's worth, I think it was pretty good. Especially bits like this:

We are led, by events and common sense, to one conclusion: The survival of liberty in our land increasingly depends on the success of liberty in other lands. The best hope for peace in our world is the expansion of freedom in all the world.

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.

So it is the policy of the United States to seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in every nation and culture, with the ultimate goal of ending tyranny in our world.

Which remind me of FDR's "arsenal of democracy" & JFK's "pay any price, bear any burden". I think it's fair to disagree w/ some of the administration's specific executions of such general goals. But I think it's imperative for progressives to once again take back the language of FDR & JFK, the language of proactive, even aggressive, defense & promotion of universal liberal values around the world.

BTW. I haven't mentioned the tsunami yet. If you haven't sent any money, but would like to, I highly recommend Mercy Corps. They're still taking donations, and now that it's not on heavy news rotation, donations have slacked off. Even $5 would go a long, long way.

Posted by Miguel at 01:37 PM

Comments

Yeah, I donated to Mercy Corps largely because 91% of the donation goes directly to aid. Seems like they have a relatively low overhead cost.

Posted by: eduardo at January 20, 2005 05:43 PM