Another July 4th has come and gone. There have been 235 of them, so far. Will there be more?
How much would it take for us to lose the freedoms we enjoy? The point could be illustrated this way:
One of our C4 executives and I were having a conversation about the recent email that showed the American Flag being abused (again) and the state of Arizona’s flag was as well. The comment was, if they (the protestors) dislike the policy, why don’t they leave?
There was a line in a movie once that went something like this: It’s difficult to be an American citizen. You have to know that freedom isn’t free and that a symbol of your freedom (the flag) is what makes you free, it’s what you do. It’s what we do. Freedom is always a work in progress. It can’t be static. It’s not a one size fits all as countries and policy changes all around the world.
If we object to the protestors point of view, it’s up to us to insure that they message isn’t the only one or point of view being heard.
Over the years, in my lifetime, I’ve been a witness to the activity (or lack thereof) of the great “silent majority.” Today, we have the largest group of seniors coming of age of any previous generation. What will we do. Will we build a bridge by insuring our freedoms or sit back and watch show.
Many of us voted for President Obama and others because we wanted change. Putting two polar opposites into a room will not produce change. It will not solve problems. What we need (my opinion) are men and women that are prepared to negotiate for solutions. Our country needs men and women that will work for peace within our own country. We need to rebuild. Not the same America that existed in the 50’s, 60’s or even the early part of this new century. We need today’s America with all of its complexity but for the betterment of its citizens. That seems to be what’s missing. The minority point of view wins, the hard lines are drawn and the internal battle lines are drawn. Congress and the Senate seem to have forgotten what it means to meaningfully negotiate.
A pencil maker told the pencil 5 important lessons just before putting it into the box:
We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose that you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are is what’s inside of you, and then allow yourself to be guided by the hand of God.
Whose guiding you?
Dear Mr. President,
You’ve often spoken of leadership. It’s critical to be considered a leader. You’ve spoken of being an example, again it’s key to being a leader. You’ve talked to our nations’ youth about being an example, again we look to our leaders to lead and to be an example.
Today, I received this picture of you in an email. The message was clear, you have a lack of respect for the position you hold and for the people you’ve been elected to lead. Mr. President, We The People own that desk that you’ve so casually placed your feet upon. If you were in school, your teacher would tell you to get your feet of the desk. If you were in someone else’s home, they would tell you the same. You Sir, are elected and privileged.
If you truly want us to know that you can lead, then set the example for us all. YOU must remember that it’s the little things that stick in people’s mind. Things like respect for the office you hold and the people you serve. Show US some respect by respecting that which we’ve fought for and purchased. When you disrespect people’s property, you disrespect the people that own that property.
Please Mr. President, keep your feet off of our desk. You’re in our home. Treat it with respect.
On behalf of all the Americans that have helped to pay for that desk, the home you live in and one of our Nation’s greatest symbols we simply ask for the respect we deserve.
DR Rawson, Citizen, Taxpayer and Veteran
How much time do any of us really have? Most of us believe, when we are children in school that the time we have is infinite. Life will go on forever. It’s not until someone you know or respect dies that you realize, there may be a limit as to how much time we have.
My Father died at age 42 and my Mother died at age 44. When I was a boy, my Grandmother always called me EJ (my Father’s name) because we were so alike. We were, the same in appearance and many other ways. Like many young boys and men, it’s an extreme compliment to be referred to as being “Just like your Dad.” However, when you come to believe what they’re saying and then your Father dies at age 42, it may even be logical to think that you’ll also die at the same young age. I did.
So, there was a time up to and including age 42. I thought I would die at that age. I lived.
At age 61 I suffered a heart attack. Because of the paramedics and then the surgeon, I lived.
Now, at age 64 I underwent heart surgery [again]. I lived. (more…)
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother, Uncle, 32 Degree, K.C.C.H. Mason, Serial Entrepreneur, Possibilist, Chairman & CEO, Leader, Speaker, Philanthropist, Veteran, and Friend.
A successful entrepreneur with 23 companies to his credit, Mr. Rawson is focused on solutions that provide sustainable answers to domestic and global issues. 
