A Saturday reflection.

June 11, 2022

          As the American colonies lurched towards independence, the Continental Congress appointed a five-man committee to draft a declaration stating the case for American independence. The committee included John Adams (the most senior member) and Thomas Jefferson (the most junior member). Based on seniority and involvement in the Continental Congress, Adams should have drafted the declaration for review by other members of the committee.

          Adams was a patriot with many limitations, but his overarching loyalty was to the cause of American independence. Because the Southern colonies were hesitating to break free of Great Britain, Adams nominated Thomas Jefferson to “take the pen” in drafting the declaration of independence. Jefferson is thus remembered for drafting one of the most important documents in Western history, and Adams is almost forgotten despite his pivotal role in dragging a reluctant Continental Congress to declare independence. But Adams made the right decision. By setting aside personal ambition, Adams helped persuade the Southern colonies to join common cause with their northern neighbors in creating one of the world’s great democracies.

          Rep. Bennie Thompson is the chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. Thompson has been a member of Congress for nearly thirty years and is the senior member and chair of the Committee. As such, he exercises significant control over the investigation and presentation of the Committee’s findings. Based on seniority, Thompson could have assigned to himself the primary speaking role in the Committee’s opening hearing. Because Republicans are suspicious (at best) of the Committee’s investigation, Thompson nominated Republican Liz Cheney to summarize the evidence gathered by the Committee regarding Trump’s seditious conspiracy and attempted coup. By setting aside personal ambition, Thompson is helping to persuade open-minded Republicans to join common cause with their fellow Americans in defending one of the world’s great democracies.

Concluding Thoughts.

         In the last month, we have witnessed mass killings in Buffalo and Uvalde. On Saturday, June 11, 2022, concerned citizens across America will join March For Our Lives to demonstrate their support for gun control. There is still time to join a march!

          Can we make a difference by telling our elected officials how we feel? Yes! Read this article: Business Insider, GOP senator U-turns on gun legislation stance after being flooded with calls from constituents demanding action to stop mass shootings. Per Business Insider, US Senator Sen. Cynthia Lummis initially said, “expanding background checks would not be acceptable for the state of Wyoming.” Two weeks later, she said the following:

          I've been a little surprised at the phone calls we've been getting and how receptive Wyoming callers seem to be to address guns in some manner. I am of the opinion that it's more of a mental health issue than a gun issue. But, you know, I'm listening to what people from Wyoming are saying.

         Join us on Saturday in a march to protect the lives of all Americans—but most especially those of our children and grandchildren. Hope to see you in the streets, on the steps of city hall, and on street corners!

          Talk to you Monday!