Here we are, in a New Year, looking forward with ambition and optimism, the latter not quite the usual attitude for what has been, the previous three years, a period of unhappiness in a prison of thought that life was over and my time was over.
Friendships — those bonds of love, tolerance and acceptance outside the confines of this Macintosh and the world it represents — have pushed and prodded, willing my soul when that dark fiber could find no willingness of its own, carrying on most days, like the poetic story of one set of footprints in the sand.
“God,” if such an entity truly exists, is there in the voices, the eyes and the souls of those around me, most especially those who have cared for me these past three years. How does God speak to us, if not through those who are most passionate about our well-being?
Truth and Love can be abstracts, “true love” absolutely an abstract, yet in what is the rarest of relationships, Truth and Love become something tangible; a bond that withstands any desire for separation, despite the desperation in the moment.
The saying goes, “desperate times call for desperate measures.” Maybe, but quite the contrary, desperate times here have called for strength and willingness and a Faith that those who love and support us will not leave us to suffer, let alone to suffer alone.
For that I am eternally grateful, even when such gratitude seems far from the present reality, without any hope that it may return.
And now, a brief reminder of why I am here with this blog, greeting the New Year with a new resolve: The beginning of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
•••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• ••••When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
•••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• ••••
Article ICongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Article IIA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Article IIINo Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Article IVThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article VNo person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Article VIIn all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Article VIIIn Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIIIExcessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article IXThe enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Article XThe powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
•••• •••• •••• •••• •••• •••• ••••
May Love, Peace, Happiness and Prosperity be yours in 2009.
TheForkesReport