Why Aren’t We Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom?

[marmar]

from OurFuture.org:



Why Aren’t We Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom?
By Bernie Horn

June 15th, 2008 - 8:40pm ET


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Last Thursday, when asked whether the constitutional right of habeas corpus could be suspended for prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the United States Constitution. George Bush and John McCain reacted the same way (as usual). They were appalled.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and other Democrats in Congress (and a few principled Republicans, such as Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Spector) did a pretty good job defending the Court. They focused on preserving habeas corpus, protecting the rule of law, and defending our “core values.” But they missed the opportunity to present the progressive position within the strongest possible message frame—the principle of freedom.

Why freedom? It is, quite simply, the most popular political principle in America. This is not merely an assertion; it is the conclusion of a nationwide poll conducted by Lake Research Associates. Why should we be surprised by that? Freedom is the cornerstone of America’s value system. It is the most sacred word in our civic religion. It’s the battle cry that best sums up the reason for our nation’s founding.

But it is also a major stumbling block for progressives, because this word is barely on the fringe of our vocabulary. That is our biggest message framing problem because, as Celinda Lake says, “If we want to compete on values, we have to find a way to use freedom.”

After years of warrantless wiretapping, illegal imprisonments, and torture, we should all be saying the F-word with regularity. No, no, I mean freedom. Why do progressives seem allergic to this word? Why aren’t we shouting the battle cry of freedom?

Maybe we’re afraid. In a democracy, the causes for which freedom is most necessary are almost by definition unpopular. It certainly seems unpopular to defend the rights of criminals, or even suspects. Maybe we look askance at the word because we feel it’s been co-opted by the right wing—like wearing little American flag pins. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/why-aren-t-we-shouting-battle-cry-freedom

[TomInTib]

1. Because we live in Chickenshit Nation, that's why.

The average American is afraid of his own shadow.

We have allowed ourselves to be cowed into a fetal curl.

[Xenotime]

3. Ain't that the fucking truth.

[JVS]

2. UPTOWN GIRL! SHE'S BEEN LIVING IN HER UPTOWN WORLD!

/Homer