The Free World: A Highly Evolved Society

Today, while reading the news, I came across an article about a man named Ken Krimstein, a resident of New York, and his experience on September 11, 2001. In describing the renewed sense of patriotism for our country and way of life that resulted from this attack, he said something inspired. He said, "“Freedom is the highest evolved state of civilization that we have, and it can’t be taken lightly.”

The past two weeks have been remarkable. A movement has arisen from the people, led by one man with a vision, in defense of a society in peril. America's greatest natural resource is not natural gas, wind, or solar power, it is this incredible spirit of love for country and countrymen that inspires voluntary activism in the form of grass roots efforts. I like the horticultural metaphor of grass. Grass implies fertility, life, and simplicity. This impulse in the common people of America to reach outside of themselves to impact the larger community is the fertile soil that grass roots movements arise from.

While reading posts and blog replies on this site, I have come across many nay-sayers that claim the common man or woman has no impact on government or public policy. They claim that petitions, emails, letters, and phone calls make no difference. They are wrong. The founders of our country pledged their lives, liberty, and sacred honor to secure our right to petition, contact legislators, and form these grass roots movements. We are the government! We, the people of the United States founded this country and we run it today. All those who are willing to participate are a part of it, but cynicism kills the motivation to contribute.

There are some in this nation, of all political parties, that believe that the government is some entity that doles out benefits and entitlements and is responsible for all the ills in their lives while they do nothing. It is not! The survival of our way of life is dependent on the active minds and willing hands of many many Americans. We need soldiers, statesmen, businessmen; parents, teachers, and police officers. Thinkers and contributors of all kinds are needed to support our government and make it work.

The society our forefathers have built is truly an evolutionary marvel that has been contributed to by millions over the centuries. I am proud to be a part of it, and to serve alongside fellow patriots like you. God bless America!

Tags: america, freedom, grass, movements, patriotism, roots

Next Post >

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of PickensPlan to add comments!

Join this Ning Network

Comment by Bridgette Burbank on August 4, 2008 at 2:37pm: Wow! I never thought I would ever meet you. Welcome to the Picken's Plan. Yes, it is an exciting movement.

Comment by ken krimstein on August 4, 2008 at 2:15pm: Thanks for noticing my 'quote.' I read about this effort in a column by Tom Friedman in the NYTimes and it is very exciting indeed.

Ken Krimstein

Comment by Bridgette Burbank on July 31, 2008 at 2:25pm: Thank you William. There is much work to be done and we waste time and effort bickering amongst ourselves. Respectful dialogue and well thought out information is the only way we can get out of this fuel mess.

Comment by William Hornbaker on July 31, 2008 at 1:28pm: Too bad time and space have to be wasted on inappropriate matters. This web site is for promoting real not pseudo solutions to provide the energy to run our factories, heat our homes and provide transportation for our people. The national infrastructure too is in need of replacement, repair and/or upgrading if this nation is to be what it once was can be again. The obstructionists must go!

Comment by jim mize on July 31, 2008 at 10:18am: Hey Bridgette

Thanks and keep the faith.

Comment by David Smith on July 31, 2008 at 9:19am: Excellent post Kathy.

Comment by Bridgette Burbank on July 31, 2008 at 7:16am: Kathy, Thanks for an insiders view of what happened that day in New York. I too felt incredibly shocked. My husband and I had been married a few days before and we were on our honeymoon in Disneyland. I had a hard time then, as I do today, understanding how anyone could hate so deeply as to desire to destroy this country and innocent people. Perhaps some may see me as an idealistic optimist, but I would rather have optimism and love than pessimism and cynicism. Thank you for your defense.

Comment by Bridgette Burbank on July 31, 2008 at 7:06am: Double-Deuce, I think it is sad that after 62 years of living in this country you can find so little to love. I feel sorry for you.

Comment by Kathy Lee Hart on July 31, 2008 at 4:47am: Gee, I have to follow the Unabomber –
His manifesto stated the Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster to the human race. His thoughts (some) were not as wrong as his actions.

Mr. Deuce – I happen to agree with most of your paragraphs – I too, want both presidential candidates to expose complete details of their energy plans. And I participate here – helping form one voice. Yet, I do take exception to your ridicule of a young woman’s – perhaps her 1st in print – expression of nationalism. Why squash her voice with sarcasm?

Bridgette - this is what you sparked in my mind

@ 8:45am 9-11-01 years of terrorist planning are revealed. @ 8:48am – I hear the Today Show say a plane just flew into the WTC. I run, sling up the blinds & stand at the window of my apartment – 41 flights in the air – looking live – an unobstructed view. I stand absorbing the horror directly into the eyes of my heart – astounded. The TV says maybe it’s an accident. The TV doesn’t get it yet – Accident? The TV can’t see it. This is no accident! No way! Not for a moment – aim is compulsory. No distressed pilot would choose 110 stories of steel over the adjacent Hudson Bay. “It’s not an accident,” I scream at Katie & Matt. My God! I see another plane – coming from Jersey side - I see it! The TV can’t see it! – The south tower is hit! Matt & Katie now agree – no accident. Our Twin Towers – The WTC – the majesties of NYC’s skyline are ravaged. The tragedy moves – to the Pentagon – then again, to a heroic cornfield in PA.

@10:29am. On 9-11-01 – The TV is black – the antennas were atop the towers – we listen to radio. The phone rings – rings – rings. We cry & wail. We are terrorized. It took 1 hour 44 minutes – top to bottom – planned terror. Both majesties are gone from sight. Twin flumes of black smoke – perfectly mimicking, replicating, replace what was. They rise in perfect columns – Eerily as if the towers are still here. The anguish of the city is in the sound of 1000 sirens & a million audible gasps from windows, balconies & sidewalks. The city is moaning aloud in unison – one voice. Our Nation is mourning in unison – one voice.

Many errors, mistakes have occurred since September 11th – Many more Americans have died.

Attaining energy independence – breaking the Middle-East choke hold – must happen. This revamp of our energy infrastructure is as much a part of the War on Terrorism as the fighting in Iraq & Afghanistan. Our soldiers have thrown down the gauntlet. We civilians must take up the gauntlet. We must push – shove – demand energy sovereignty. [Yes, Mr. Deuce – it should have been done 40 years ago] – We do this on behalf of all Americans – ever – living & dead. We are washed in blood – we must rinse in clean energy. We are being active – we are causing action – we are doing what others before us have done. We are simply Americans doing – sooner or later – what we do – protecting our individual interests – in life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness. We are preserving the union – our duty & honor. We can feel good about that.