About the title and the blog

The title comes from a speech by Thaddeus Stevens in December of 1865. The Civil War was over and Reconstruction had begun. Stevens felt strongly that the government needed to address the attend to "four million slaves" suddenly freed after two hundred years. As he said, "the infernal laws of slavery have prevented them from acquiring an education, understanding the common laws of contract, or of managing the ordinary business of life." He asserted that if Congress failed to provide them with "protective laws" until they could enter society as fully informed citizens that we would "deserve and receive the execration of history and of all future ages."

Execration means a curse.

For all future ages. That's a powerful idea.

Thaddeus Stevens, a Vermonter, became a Representative for Pennsylvania. He co-authored the Fourteenth Amendent, also known as the Civil Rights Amendment. In fact, as I write this, the Supreme Court is using the Fourteenth Amendment to determine a gun control issue.

This blog is for those who care about "all future ages." It is for people who believe that for all of its messiness and slowness that our system of government has consistently proven to be the most effective system to establish equality and justice. The language we choose to use, the behaviors we choose to exhibit, leave an imprint on our children. Our future ages.

We have clusters of people who want to secede from the Union. We have clusters of people who believe that our government is not to be trusted. We have clusters of people who have lionized a man who flew his plane into a building housing federal employees. We have clusters of people who believe it is appropriate to compare our President to Hitler.

This blog is about "future ages." We have to have a place where the average person who believes in the Republic can comment on the news and issues of the day. By average person, I mean a person who does believe in American principles, who will use the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as reference point, who have some idea of the principles on which Supreme Court rulings have been made, even if they disagree with them, and who is willing to explore an opposing point of view that is presented in such a way as to engage in a discussion.

Having at a least a passing understanding of the Federalist Papers would be a plus.

Please go to another blog if you wish to deride, slander, trash, swear, name-call, or threaten people who do not think as you do.

Please go to another blog if you do not subscribe to the notion that together we can find the balance between individual liberty and the "general welfare" of our people.

Please go to another blog if you are unable to see beyond your party affiliation or platform.

So. OK. Civil Discourse. What a concept. Just to reinforce the above, I want to refer to James Madison and his feelings about factions. He called them mobs. I recommend Federalist #10. We all understand being swept into a political mob. It feels purposeful and righteous. But does it serve the "common welfare"? If it does, explain it. Trust that if your argument is cogent it will be heard. Appealing to fear and bigotry did not build this nation.

So. OK.

Also, I can't find the editing application but I just want to get this on the page!