Or will they in their enjoyment of plenty, lose the memory of freedom?
Material abundance without character is the surest way to self-destruction.
Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just."
Now, it's no secret that I've always had a man-crush on TJ. This guy was a serious badass. Yeah, sure everyone knows he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Most are hip to the fact that he made it illegal to import slaves (basically establishing the necessary framework for any and all future civil rights) and was responsible for acquiring 23% of modern day America's land.
Some are even aware that he was probably the smartest President in American history. (Case in point: John F. Kennedy once held a gathering with the brightest minds in the world--49 Nobel Prize winners--in the White House Dining Room. It was here that he quipped that this was "...probably the greatest concentration of talent and genius in this house except for perhaps those times when Thomas Jefferson ate alone." There were no laughs. Because it wasn't a joke.)
Not many are aware TJ won a war against pirates (in only one term!), designed his own home, which is often ranked as one of the top architectural wonders of America, or that he founded Virgina College because William and Mary wasn't smart enough for him. Oh, and did I mention HE HAD FUCKING AUTISM?! So yeah, basically the greatest political badass in American history--think Ronald Reagan meets Tony Stark.
That's just one reason why the above quote is disturbing to me. As I look around and see where we appear to be headed, none of it looks good. When I contemplate the fact that someone that intelligent saw the whole thing coming (and the general path it would take) roughly 250 years ago, it makes me take heed. Of course, what to do about it?
Random thoughts for a Monday afternoon. Cheers, people.
