Making Sense of the Twentieth (“American”) Century Some questions and conclusions

The United States’ Place in the Modern World -International events -Intense media scrutiny Clinton Bush Low voter turnout, third party candidates, controversies surrounding Clinton and Bush Confidence until 911 The “securing of America” How far do we go? “Those who would give up liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty nor security” -Benjamin Franklin “I will never relent in defending America - whatever it takes.” -George W. Bush

Some Thoughts “What luck for rulers that men do not think” -Adolf Hitler "Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger." -Hermann Goering, at the Nuremberg Trials "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism" -Thomas Jefferson “Freedom is the last, best hope of earth." - Abraham Lincoln

***************************** “I think that, as life is action and passion, it is required of a man that he should share the passion and action of his time at the peril of being judged not to have lived at all” -Oliver Wendell Holmes-1884 ****************************************

************************************ “Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” -John Adams ***************************************************

******************************** “I urge the teaching of political history so that Americans might learn how to judge for themselves what will secure or endanger their freedom.” -Thomas Jefferson **************************************************

As we pass through the first decade of the twenty-first century many issues remain the same while others have changed dramatically-YOU are charged by your forefathers with carrying the torch of democracy to the next generation-how will you react to that responsibility?