Sweet Land Of Liberty

I feel so fortunate to be an American. I've watched, with the rest of the world, the death of a young Iranian woman, who in her death has become what a young, larger than life Presidential candidate came to symbolize to Americans, the symbol of hope and change. The tragedy is in the difference. One went on to the Presidency of our great and free nation, the other met an untimely death at the hands of unknown assailants struggling to retain dominance through tyranny.

We've had our bloody battles too. Long ago. The Revolutionary War to gain our independence, the Civil War retain it. Other nations, far older than our own, still struggle with the concept for they can't rid themselves of leadership that cares more for the power than their country. Freedom, in any guise, comes with a price. Nedra exemplifies the current struggle in Iran. There have been others. The Wall Street Journal tells of a 19 year old who was shot in the head for standing at an intersection in Tehran. Others are backing away from the protests because they're not quite ready to die.

To die. That is the high price of freedom. The innocent, the non-political, the elderly and the children, the civilians and the military, the terrorists and the peace makers all die.

It is a deplorable part of the human condition; the necessity to overcome abusive power with human life.

In America we've passed that point. In this country I can sit at my computer and rail against our government without fear of retribution. I have readers that vehemently disagree with many of my positions yet we remain friends. At the very least we remain civil. Or turn away. Without violence. Without fear.

In this country when we want a change in leadership we have elections where the votes are counted. The losers concede, the power shifts and the country continues on. Without violence. Without fear.

What we get are Presidents, appointed and elected officials who are not perfect any more than those who elect them. It's the admission of that lack of perfection that allows the dialogue that keeps the country moving forward. Sure we have our philosophical battles. One has to wonder at times what the rest of the world thinks, but this is our country. We elect them and if they disappoint we'll deal with them. That's how it works when a country is free from the fear the people of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and so may others constantly experience.

This is probably a reason, in what is some times over exuberance for our ways, that we intrude where we are not welcome. We know what we have and we wish others the same.

Yes. I can be an equal opportunity basher of government, no matter who is in power. I can like our President and disagree with what he does. I can voice it. Without violence. Without fear.

I can walk outside, sit down and scratch my dog's ears. Without violence. Without fear. How great is that? It's America.