Friday, June 30, 2006
The Symbol, The Scribe and Freedom
The Symbol, The Scribe and Freedom
We're putting the old "cauldron" on simmer for a few days,
but here's something for you to chew on as we approach July 4th
- Independence Day.
Our good neighbors to the south in the San Diego area have been wrestling with a very troubling issue for the past fifteen years - the appropriateness of a large cement cross on the top of Mt. Soledad, near La Jolla. The cross, placed on the 822 foot summit in 1954, is the top piece - the exclamation point, as it were - to a memorial built to honor the more than 34,000 fallen Korean War veterans. That monument has subsequently been expanded to include remembrances of fallen men and women from all branches of service and from all wars.
In the late 1980s an atheist demanded that the cross be removed from the peak of Mt. Soledad because it was on public land - the peak is apparently owned by the City of San Diego. Since that time much litigation has taken place and battles much too complex to attempt to relate here have been fought over this issue. If you want the details, a simple Google search will provide that information in exhausting detail, from many perspectives. It appears that the fight will soon end. An appeals court judge has ruled, once again, that the cross must be removed by August 2, 2006 or the City of San Diego will face fines of $5,000 per day. Without federal government intervention, it looks like the days are numbered for the cross on Mt. Soledad.
I took the photo of the cross and the adjacent American flag you see here during a recent vacation to the area. It's difficult to describe what a moving experience it was to walk around the monument at the base of the cross, reading the plaques affixed to the walls to commemorate so many fallen men and women who served this country proudly and with distinction. Many familiar names were seen on those plaques - from General Black Jack Pershing to Bob Hope.
I've read much of the debate on this issue recently. I can understand the views expressed by non-Christians as they voice concern that this symbol, erected on public land, represents some kind of official religious preference. I do appreciate their concerns. However, this country was founded by men who firmly believed in the principles of Christianity. We still say the words, "under god", as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and the phrase , "In God We Trust", is still embossed on our coins. The cross is still the predominant symbol of Christianity.
For more than a half century, for the thousands of travelers who drive past the base of Mt. Soledad at the confluence of two freeways and for others who see it from afar, the cross has been a constant visual reminder of the sacrifice the men and women in our armed forces have made for this country. In my opinion, it will be a sad day if the cross is removed from the summit.
At the risk of melting my email box, I'm interested in your viewpoints on this subject. Please go to my Share Your Opinion page, click on the email link and send me a note. As always, you will not be specifically identified if I decide to use your comments unless you give me your specific permission.
***
Speaking of warriors, Joseph N. Bell, our friend and Daily Pilot columnist for many years, celebrates his 85th birthday on July 4th. A member of what author Tom Brokaw calls The Greatest Generation - my parent's generation - Joe flew for the United States Navy in World War II and has been award-winning author for more than 60 years. Two remarkable milestones in his career are the interviews he conducted with woman who known as Jane Roe, of Roe vs. Wade fame, three decades apart. The resultant stories, the first when she became the subject of landmark abortion rights legislation, and the second thirty years later when she changed her mind on the issue, demonstrated not only Joe's skill and insight, but his stamina, as well. In his hey-day he covered Hollywood - the famous and near-famous - and has written a half dozen nonfiction books, including the acclaimed Seven Into Space - a story about the seven original Mercury astronauts. With that in mind, one might say he has covered the American experience from the lowest of lows to the highest of heights.
In recent years, following a second career teaching fledgling writers at the University of California, Irvine, Joe has been a regular fixture in the Daily Pilot, writing columns that informed and entertained us, occasionally angering many in this most conservative of California counties. Although he made some folks mad, he has always entertained us and made us think. He and I are far apart from a political philosophy standpoint, but I always appreciate his viewpoints and marvel at the skill with which he delivers them.
Happy Birthday, Joe - and thanks.
***
And finally today, as we approach Independence Day, I hope you will take a moment to look at the photo on this page one more time. Think about the flag and the cross. Think about the motivation of the founders of this wonderful country, and about the lives lost to defend the freedoms we all enjoy over the past 230 years.
Amidst all the political rhetoric and partisan criticism of our President regarding the War on Terrorism, please remember that he's doing what we hired him to do - to protect and defend this country to the best of his ability. At the end of this summer we will mark the fifth anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington in which nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in those cowardly, heinous acts of terrorism. I agree with those who say that we must defeat those who are obviously intent on killing us and destroying our way of life where they live, not where we live. To that end, I support the President as he directs the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan on our behalf. I served in the military during the Viet Nam conflict - Iraq is not Viet Nam. Defending our freedom is not an easy job. Please remember those who have fought and died to defend our freedom and support the President as he defends our country from those who would destroy us.
10:29 am pdt
Our good neighbors to the south in the San Diego area have been wrestling with a very troubling issue for the past fifteen years - the appropriateness of a large cement cross on the top of Mt. Soledad, near La Jolla. The cross, placed on the 822 foot summit in 1954, is the top piece - the exclamation point, as it were - to a memorial built to honor the more than 34,000 fallen Korean War veterans. That monument has subsequently been expanded to include remembrances of fallen men and women from all branches of service and from all wars.
In the late 1980s an atheist demanded that the cross be removed from the peak of Mt. Soledad because it was on public land - the peak is apparently owned by the City of San Diego. Since that time much litigation has taken place and battles much too complex to attempt to relate here have been fought over this issue. If you want the details, a simple Google search will provide that information in exhausting detail, from many perspectives. It appears that the fight will soon end. An appeals court judge has ruled, once again, that the cross must be removed by August 2, 2006 or the City of San Diego will face fines of $5,000 per day. Without federal government intervention, it looks like the days are numbered for the cross on Mt. Soledad.
I took the photo of the cross and the adjacent American flag you see here during a recent vacation to the area. It's difficult to describe what a moving experience it was to walk around the monument at the base of the cross, reading the plaques affixed to the walls to commemorate so many fallen men and women who served this country proudly and with distinction. Many familiar names were seen on those plaques - from General Black Jack Pershing to Bob Hope.
I've read much of the debate on this issue recently. I can understand the views expressed by non-Christians as they voice concern that this symbol, erected on public land, represents some kind of official religious preference. I do appreciate their concerns. However, this country was founded by men who firmly believed in the principles of Christianity. We still say the words, "under god", as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and the phrase , "In God We Trust", is still embossed on our coins. The cross is still the predominant symbol of Christianity.
For more than a half century, for the thousands of travelers who drive past the base of Mt. Soledad at the confluence of two freeways and for others who see it from afar, the cross has been a constant visual reminder of the sacrifice the men and women in our armed forces have made for this country. In my opinion, it will be a sad day if the cross is removed from the summit.
At the risk of melting my email box, I'm interested in your viewpoints on this subject. Please go to my Share Your Opinion page, click on the email link and send me a note. As always, you will not be specifically identified if I decide to use your comments unless you give me your specific permission.
***
Speaking of warriors, Joseph N. Bell, our friend and Daily Pilot columnist for many years, celebrates his 85th birthday on July 4th. A member of what author Tom Brokaw calls The Greatest Generation - my parent's generation - Joe flew for the United States Navy in World War II and has been award-winning author for more than 60 years. Two remarkable milestones in his career are the interviews he conducted with woman who known as Jane Roe, of Roe vs. Wade fame, three decades apart. The resultant stories, the first when she became the subject of landmark abortion rights legislation, and the second thirty years later when she changed her mind on the issue, demonstrated not only Joe's skill and insight, but his stamina, as well. In his hey-day he covered Hollywood - the famous and near-famous - and has written a half dozen nonfiction books, including the acclaimed Seven Into Space - a story about the seven original Mercury astronauts. With that in mind, one might say he has covered the American experience from the lowest of lows to the highest of heights.
In recent years, following a second career teaching fledgling writers at the University of California, Irvine, Joe has been a regular fixture in the Daily Pilot, writing columns that informed and entertained us, occasionally angering many in this most conservative of California counties. Although he made some folks mad, he has always entertained us and made us think. He and I are far apart from a political philosophy standpoint, but I always appreciate his viewpoints and marvel at the skill with which he delivers them.
Happy Birthday, Joe - and thanks.
***
And finally today, as we approach Independence Day, I hope you will take a moment to look at the photo on this page one more time. Think about the flag and the cross. Think about the motivation of the founders of this wonderful country, and about the lives lost to defend the freedoms we all enjoy over the past 230 years.
Amidst all the political rhetoric and partisan criticism of our President regarding the War on Terrorism, please remember that he's doing what we hired him to do - to protect and defend this country to the best of his ability. At the end of this summer we will mark the fifth anniversary of the attacks on New York and Washington in which nearly 3,000 Americans were killed in those cowardly, heinous acts of terrorism. I agree with those who say that we must defeat those who are obviously intent on killing us and destroying our way of life where they live, not where we live. To that end, I support the President as he directs the fight in Iraq and Afghanistan on our behalf. I served in the military during the Viet Nam conflict - Iraq is not Viet Nam. Defending our freedom is not an easy job. Please remember those who have fought and died to defend our freedom and support the President as he defends our country from those who would destroy us.
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