This week we commemorated Columbus Day. It is called by other names in some places these days, but observed nevertheless.
I certainly understand the animosity towards the historical meaning of this day, but I think it should be celebrated anyway.
The European concept of the 'discovery' has long since been discredited rightly, but Columbus still began something wonderful, more wonderful really, than he could have foreseen.
Many progressives denigrate America, and it is true, it has never lived up to its image, but the image is worthwhile even so. To be realistic, we have to expect that we won't live up to it, because it is so lofty. THAT is the greatness of America - not that we are so wonderful, but that we set wonderful goals for ourselves, goals that were not set before.
The striving towards those goals is what makes us exceptional, if anything does. To be sure, many other countries can claim equal conditions to ours, equal freedoms and material conditions, but do they have a civic creed like ours?
This is where we can still lead if we want to.
It demands that we don't give in to our lower impulses - fear, greed, lack of care for those outside our borders - which one party seems to have decided to make catering to its raison d'etre.
It demands that we remain aware of what America means and how much it takes to be a real American.
Congratulations, Chris.
