Patriotism and the State
of the Union
Sara DeHart (page 24)
April 24, 2002
Several cartoonists have depicted the post 9/11 Mr. Bush as Caesar.
Is it time for the American people to revisit the image of Julius
Caesar? Shall we ponder the words of Caesar in light of Mr. Bush's
never-ending war on terrorism and Mr. Ashcroft's actions to silence
dissenting voices?
"Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the
citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged
sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And
when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils
with hate and the mind is closed, the leader will have no need in
seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused
with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all their rights
unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have
done. And I am Caesar." -- Julius Caesar
What will it take
for the American citizenry to stand up and say, "enough is enough?"
When will our voices become so loud and clear that they will be heard
in Washington, DC? If I were a betting woman, I'd bet on November
2002!
Sara S. DeHart, Concerned Citizen
Democracy Activist
