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PrintI asked the Missourian to publish my regular Friday article online Wednesday this week for two reasons. First is the fact that the Declaration of Independence will fill the Op/Ed page in Friday’s paper edition.
The second reason is just as important as that document of 1776. Last week I wrote about the elections in Iran, how the opposition forces have taken to the streets in the name of free and open elections. The protesters in Iran are as patriotic as the 56 signatories who put their lives on the line, fighting and protesting colonial rule. Now it is time for Americans to act in support of the Iranian people and the need for Iran and other dictatorial governments to step into the 21st century.
Saturday is the Fourth of July, marking the 233rd anniversary of the signing of Jefferson’s letter of complaint. Read it and insert the words “Iran's Guardian Council” for England and “Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei” and “President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad” for King George III. The Iranian government needs to understand what our founding fathers knew so well: “... Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
We need to ask the same question the New York Times asked concerning this election. The same question the people of Iran are asking their government. “How did the (Iranian) government manage to count enough of the 40 million paper ballots to be able to announce results within two hours of the polls closing?”
John Hancock signed his name large and squarely in the center so that King George III could read it and not err in understanding the document’s meaning. Now, it is your turn.
On Saturday, I urge you to wear the green of the Iranian opposition party along with our red, white and blue shirts, hats and flags. Americans need, must, show our solidarity with the Iranian people to have free and fair elections.
Wear green this Fourth of July. Show your support for the ideals we fought for 233 years ago. That Americans absolutely “hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” no matter what country they may live. That “we mutually pledge to each other … our sacred Honor.”
David Rosman is an award winning editor, writer, professional speaker and college instructor in communications, ethics, business and politics. He welcomes your comments at ProfDave1011@netscape.net.
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