The Price of Liberty

"This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take. Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion." --Thomas Jefferson (1825)

With Independence Day upcoming, one would have to be brain dead or liberal (a distinction without difference) to avoid the comparison between the imperial powers from which our Founders broke free and the Imperial Presidency which now threatens the Essential Liberty they, and generations of American Patriots since, have defended with their "Lives, Fortunes, and Sacred Honor."

Contrast the current Commander in Chief's wanton and willful disregard for his sworn oath to that of generations of uniformed American Patriots who have spilled blood in keeping with their oaths to Support and Defend our Constitution.

That contrast is particularly clear to me today.

This morning, I join many other parents who are delivering a son or daughter for in-processing at one of our fine Military Service Academies. My firstborn son is breaking tradition with our family's naval legacy by joining the Air Force Academy's Cadet Wing, having turned down his appointment to the Naval Academy. However, he alone has set the course for his future with God as his North Star, and that bearing, which guided him to the AFA, will not lead him astray.

In a few hours, he will form up with his squadron and affirm his first oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic [and] bear true faith and allegiance to the same..." I know this young man will honor that oath throughout his life as he has already -- earning the American Legion Award for Patriotism four years ago when just an eighth grader.

After leaving my son, I depart west from Colorado Springs to attend the retirement ceremony for a career Navy captain tomorrow morning. My friend and colleague, a USNA graduate whom I first met more than a decade ago when we were on a National Defense University panel, has steadfastly devoted more than 35 years of his life to support and defend our Constitution. I am deeply honored to be included in that ceremony.

So, within the course of the next 24 hours, I will witness my son at the beginning his active military service, and my colleague at the ending of his.

These two events serve as bookends to the generational spirit of American Liberty enshrined by our Founders in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. They also stand in stark contrast to BHO's determination to undermine Liberty, by offending constitutional Rule of Law at every turn -- most notably by his successful effort to nationalize the entire American health care system, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court this morning. Our hope now is for legislative repeal. Moreover, he is determined to undermine the moral integrity of our uniformed service branches. (I can say that publicly; my son no longer can.)

However, amid Obama's efforts to erode the pillars of American Liberty, I should interject here that we at The Patriot Post won a small victory for Liberty this week in regard to our mission of service to American military personnel.

Among other projects supported by proceeds from our Patriot Post Shop is the free distribution of our Essential Liberty pocket guides to U.S. military personnel and support groups across the nation and around the world.

Several months ago, Navy investigators notified us that they were considering legal action under the UCMJ against Marine and Navy officers who received our Essential Liberty guides and distributed them at promotion ceremonies in Afghanistan. Apparently, some Obamaphile took offense at the distribution of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to officers and enlisted personnel.

Fortunately, as notified this week, wiser heads prevailed and investigators have concluded that there is no impropriety in requesting and distributing the booklets. This is a bittersweet victory, however, because this investigation cost a great deal of income seized from taxpayers, and it caused a significant amount of heartburn for those under investigation. While we do not know what effect it might have upon the willingness of officers and enlisted personnel to request Essential Liberty guides, we rest assured that their commitment remains unwavering to their defense of Essential Liberty.

Moreover, this investigation is an indication of how deep the Obama decay and degradation has penetrated even the ranks of military JAG and IG offices ... and how effective his Leftist cadre assaults on Liberty have been. But, American Patriots by the tens of millions remain steadfast in our resolve to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," the exposition of Liberty as first enshrined so eloquently in our Declaration of Independence -- so help us God.

As an Fourth Class AFA "doolie," one of the quotes my son will be required to memorize is this from 19th-century libertarian philosopher John Stuart Mill: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse. A man who has nothing which he cares more about than he does about his personal safety is a miserable creature who has no chance at being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

Indeed.

On the commemoration of the signing of our Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the date would "be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not."

Adams continued, "I am well aware of the Toil and blood and treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means, and that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not."

Ahead of Independence Day next Wednesday, we will publish a special edition devoted to our Founding Fathers.

On that, and every day of the year, let us "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" (Leviticus 25:10 as inscribed on the Liberty Bell). Please pray for our Armed Forces standing in harm's way, that we might live free.

Publisher's Note: As was the case at the Dawn of American Liberty, we are but a small band of American Patriots facing an empire of statists, but we are steadfast in our sacred oath to sustain our Constitution. Please help us combat the ideology and propaganda of the Left in order to restore the integrity of our Constitution.

On behalf of Liberty, if you are able, please support our 2012 Independence Day Campaign. We still must raise about $190,000 to meet our goal and there are just 6 days left.