Greg Krasovsky
July 4, 2023
Happy 4th of July, America!
Among our parades, barbecues and fireworks, let's not forget the political, philosophical and legal principles embodied by the Declaration of Independence, whose signing we celebrate today, as well as the subsequent U.S. Constitution, The Bill of Rights and its other amendments (see below).
Unless as a country and a nation we're forgetful ignorant fools and/or hypocrites who only pay superficial lip service to the above documents and principles, then we have a sacred obligation to make sure that we strictly adhere to and do not violate these principles not only domestically, but also abroad in our country's foreign policy.
This includes
1. Encouraging, aiding and, sometimes, whenever it is absolutely necessary and appropriate, gently (diplomatically) and legally influencing (pressuring?) other countries into adopting and observing these democratic principles and inalienable rights in regard to their own citizens.
2. Never allowing, promoting, facilitating, organizing or managing other countries and their governments in ignoring or systematically violating the above principles, especially basic human rights, even when doing so seems politically or economically expedient (i.e. supposedly beneficial to "national interests" of America at the time)
3. Refraining from interfering in international and domestic affairs of foreign countries by using improper means, such as
- disinformation, propaganda and censorship,
- manipulation (availability, price, quantity, quality) of energy, food, medical and other key economic commodities, including by sanctions and blockades,
- funding international or domestic groups engaged in terrorism, extremism, radical nationalism, racism, xenophobia and religious persecution,
- surreptitiously directing and funding local political parties, politicians, senior civil servants, non-profit organizations and other key agents of influence,
- improperly funding, directing and influencing international & local news media, social media and entertainment industry members (movie, music, TV & radio, art & theater)
- illegal (locally and/or internationally) manufacture, export, import, contraband and distribution of civilian or military weapons (e.g. firearms, shoulder-launched missiles, drones (sea & air), mortars & artillery, etc.)
- improper interference in local political campaigns and elections,
- aiding & abetting (material support) riots and unlawful (often violent) regime change operations/attempts,
- aiding & abetting racial, ethnic or religious strife, persecution & cleansing to weaken a country or to promote & support certain political processes for the benefit of factions friendly to or controlled by the U.S.
4. never tolerating (turning a blind eye on) serious human rights violations, such as
- war crimes, including
-- use of chemical, biological or radioactive & nuclear weapons,
-- murder, beating, maiming, torture, malnourishment, and other improper treatment of prisoners of war,
-- mistreatment of civilians (non-combatants), especially the elderly, women and children,
- crimes against humanity,
- human trafficking, including sex trafficking and trafficking of minor children,
- manufacture, import, export, contraband, import and distribution of illegal drugs,
- illegal human bodily organ harvesting, export, import, contraband, sales, distribution and implants,
- sabotage & destruction (vandalism, terrorism) of key infrastructure, including energy, transportation, communications, medical, food & water supplies, agriculture and etc,
- environmental sabotage & destruction (e.g. fires, floods, earthquakes, air, water & soil pollution [contamination], damage to agricultural crops),
- money laundering, tax evasion and corruption (bribery) of domestic or foreign officials (both in the public and private sectors),
- misappropriation, theft, conversion or embezzlement of government funds & property,
The above prohibitions would stop the support of criminal regimes, dictators and organizations who supposedly further (short term only?) U.S. National Interests locally, regionally or worldwide and benefit from our country either supporting them (directly or indirectly) or turning a blind eye on their crimes, including corruption -- "He may be a SOB, bit he's our SOB."
The above prohibitions could also put the CIA's Directorate of Operations out of business or a very tight leash.
So why do I bring all of this up today, July 4, 2023?
Because, based on my experience, competence, information and belief, our country has been engaged in a lot of the above "misconduct") in regard to Russia and Ukraine, countries both of which I care for dearly (as much as the U.S.) and hope to see as truly free, democratic and prosperous independent allies (of their own will and accord) of America.
Time permitting, I'll try to draft an essay on exactly which negative, undemocratic and un-American policies our country has been pushing or conveniently tolerating or providing material support to realizing in Ukraine
And guess what?
If America continues on the same path and in the same manner in regard to both Russia and Ukraine, then nothing good will come out of it -- actually, the political, economic, military and even moral blow-back will arrive (thanks in part to China, BRICS, Shanghai Organization and etc.) within the next five (5) years with profound negative consequences for our country.
When we ask for G-d's blessing, we ask G-d to ensure and give just rewards for our conduct -- good conduct deserves good rewards (good blessings), while bad conduct ensures an appropriate and inescapable punishment (both for punitive and instructional purposes).
So if we truly want G-d to Bless America (in positive rewarding way and not in a punitive manner), then we need to do everything as a country (government & business) and a people (citizens, taxpayers, voters and consumers) to make sure that America stays on the path laid out by our Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
Even if staying on that right path means dropping the age-old tried & proven (albeit evil) techniques of U.S. foreign policy, especially in developing countries.
What do you think?
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[1] Independence Day (United States)
Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
The Founding Father delegates of the Second Continental Congress declared that the Thirteen Colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states.[1]
The Congress voted to approve independence by passing the Lee Resolution on July 2 and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4.[1]
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts,[2] baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies,
in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.
Independence Day is the national day of the United States.[3][4][5]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)
***
[2] American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the military conflict of the American Revolution in which American Patriot forces under George Washington's command defeated the British, establishing and securing the independence of the United States.
Fighting began on April 19, 1775 at the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
The war was formalized and intensified following passage of the Lee Resolution, which asserted that the Thirteen Colonies were "free and independent states", by the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 2, 1776 and the unanimous ratification of the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4, 1776.
In the war, American patriot forces were supported by the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Spain.
The British, in turn, were supported by Hessian soldiers from Germany, some American Indians, Loyalists, and freedmen.
The conflict was fought in America, Canada, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War
***
[3] United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence, headed The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, is the founding document of the United States.
It was adopted on July 4, 1776 by the Second Continental Congress meeting at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, later renamed Independence Hall.
The declaration explains to the world why the thirteen colonies regarded themselves as independent sovereign states no longer subject to British colonial rule.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress, who came to be known as the nation's Founding Fathers.
The 56 included delegates from
New Hampshire,
Massachusetts Bay,
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
Connecticut,
New York,
New Jersey,
Pennsylvania,
Maryland,
Delaware,
Virginia,
North Carolina,
South Carolina, and
Georgia.
The declaration became one of the most circulated and widely reprinted documents in early American history.
---
United States Declaration of Independence [text]
Introduction
Asserts as a matter of Natural Law the ability of a people to assume
political independence; acknowledges that the grounds for such
independence must be reasonable, and therefore explicable, and ought to
be explained.
Preamble
Outlines a general philosophy of government that justifies revolution when government harms natural rights.[61]
Indictment
A bill of grievances documenting the king's "repeated injuries and usurpations" of the Americans' rights and liberties.[61]
[selected section]
"He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their
offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
"He
has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of
Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
"He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
"He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to
our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to
their Acts of pretended Legislation:
"For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
"For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders
which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
"For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
"He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
"He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to
compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun
with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized
nation.
"He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken
Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become
the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by
their Hands.
"In every stage of these Oppressions We have
Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions
have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character
is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be
the ruler of a free people."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence
***
[4] Constitution of the United States
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America.
It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, in 1789.
Originally comprising seven articles, it delineates the national frame and constraints of government.
The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, whereby the federal government is divided into three branches:
the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress (Article I);
the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers (Article II); and
the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts (Article III).
Article IV, Article V, and Article VI embody concepts of federalism, describing the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the states in relationship to the federal government, and the shared process of constitutional amendment.
Article VII establishes the procedure subsequently used by the 13 states to ratify it.
The Constitution of the United States is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world today.
---
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
--Preamble to the United States Constitution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_United_States
***
[5] United States Bill of Rights
The United States Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution.
Proposed following the often bitter 1787–88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution and written to address the objections raised by Anti-Federalists, the Bill of Rights amendments add to the Constitution specific guarantees of
personal freedoms and rights,
clear limitations on the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and
explicit declarations that all powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people.
The concepts codified in these amendments are built upon those in earlier documents, especially
the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), as well as
the Northwest Ordinance (1787),
the English Bill of Rights (1689), and
Magna Carta (1215).
---
Bill of Rights [text]
First Amendment
Congress 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.[96]
Second Amendment
A 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.[96]
Third Amendment
No 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.[96]
Fourth Amendment
The 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.[96]
Fifth Amendment
No 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.[96]
Sixth Amendment
In 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 defense.[96]
Seventh Amendment
In 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.[96]
Eighth Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.[96]
Ninth Amendment
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.[96]
Tenth Amendment
The 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.[96]
Thirteenth Amendment
1. Neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the
United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.[1]
Fourteenth Amendment
1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to
the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United
States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or
property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according
to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in
each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at
any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President
of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and
Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof,
is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being
twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any
way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the
basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of
male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
3. No
person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of
President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military,
under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously
taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United
States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United
States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may,
by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by
law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for
services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be
questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or
pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion
against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of
any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held
illegal and void.
5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.[222]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights
***
[6] List of amendments to the Constitution of the United States
Thirty-three amendments to the Constitution of the United States have been proposed by the United States Congress and sent to the states for ratification since the Constitution was put into operation on March 4, 1789.
Twenty-seven of those, having been ratified by the requisite number of states, are part of the Constitution.
The first ten amendments were adopted and ratified simultaneously and are known collectively as the Bill of Rights.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are collectively known as the Reconstruction Amendments.
Six amendments adopted by Congress and sent to the states have not been ratified by the required number of states.
Four of those amendments are still pending, one is closed and has failed by its own terms, and one is closed and has failed by the terms of the resolution proposing it.
All 27 ratified and six unratified amendments are listed and detailed in the tables below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_amendments_to_the_Constitution_of_the_United_States
***
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