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PAGE 4, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, THE ISLANDER
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2008
Celebrate the Constitution by Becoming an Activist
By John W. Whiteheod
“I call not upon a few, but upon all:
not on this state or that state, but on
every state; up and help us; lay your
shoulders to the wheel; better to have
too much force than too little, when so
great an object is at stake.’’-Thomas
Paine, 1776
Federal law mandates that all
high schools, colleges and universities
across the country that receive federal
funds host educational events about
the Constitution on Constitution Day,
September 17. There will also be vari
ous festivities in Washington, DC, and
in some communities across America
celebrating the Constitution.
Yet we would do well to do more
than pay lip service to the Constitu
tion once a year. Formally adopted
on September 17, 1787, it has long
served as the bulwark of American
freedom and as an example for strug
gling nations worldwide.
Unfortunately, the rights enshrined
in the Constitution are under con
stant attack. In fact, the protections
and limitations on government power
which were once so greatly prized by
America’s Founders seem to be rapidly
disappearing. Governmental tentacles
now invade every facet of our lives.
The president continues to expand his
powers by centralizing power in his
own office. And technology, which has
developed at a rapid pace, offers those
in government more invasive and awe
some tools than ever before.
As government invariably, perhaps
inevitably, oversteps its authority,
Americans are faced with the pressing
need to maintain the Constitution’s
checks against governmental power
and abuse. After all, it was not idle
rhetoric that prompted the framers
of the Constitution to begin with the
words “We the people.”
If we are to maintain our freedoms,
“we the people” need to become activ
ists, even revolutionaries, for freedom.
We forget the country started with a
revolution. However, speaking truth to
power is not an easy task. There can be
no room for timidity or lukewarm emo
tions. We must meet the challenges of
our day with passion, dedication and
courage. And we must demand that
our government respect our rights.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Get educated. Most Americans
are largely uneducated about their
constitutional rights and liberties. Yet
without knowledge, very little can be
accomplished. Thus, you must know
your rights. Take time to read the
Constitution. Study and understand
history, because the tales of those who
seek power and those who resist it are
part of an age-old story. Understand
the vital issues of the day so that you
can be cognizant of the threats to
freedom. I emphasize with people that
the Bill of Rights is only 462 words.
It takes about five minutes to read
if you are a slow reader. Know the
Bill of Rights and teach them to your
children.
2. Get involved. Become actively
involved in local community affairs,
politics and legal battles. Think nation
ally but act locally. If our freedoms are
to be restored, taking action at the
local level must be the starting point.
Getting involved in local politics is one
way to bring about change.
Seek out every opportunity to voice
your concerns, and demand that your
government representatives account
for their actions. Be relentless. And
recognize that you don’t have to go it
alone. Engage those around you in dis
cussions about issues of importance.
Challenge them to be part of a nation
al dialogue. And remember that those
in power fear and respect numbers.
Thus, while one person with a protest
sign at a city planning meeting may be
an irritant, three individuals with the
same sign at the very same meeting
constitute a movement.
3. Take action. Be prepared to mobi
lize at a moment’s notice. It doesn’t
matter who you are, where you’re
located or what resources are at your
disposal. What matters is that you rec
ognize the problems and care enough
to do something about them. Whether
you’re 8, 28 or 88, you have something
unique to contribute. You don’t have
to be a hero. You just have to show up
and be ready to take action.
You can overcome the governmen
tal behemoth with enough cunning,
skill and organization. Play to your
strengths and assets. Conduct strate
gy sessions with others to develop both
the methods and ways to force change.
Be bold and imaginative, for this is
guerilla warfare-not to be fought with
tanks and guns but through creative
methods of nonviolent dissent and
resistance.
Effective use of the media is essen
tial. Attracting media coverage not
only enhances and magnifies your
efforts. It is also a valuable education
al tool. It publicizes your message to a
much wider audience. It is through the
media-television, newspapers, Inter
net sites, bloggers, and so on-that
people find out about your growing
resistance movement.
4. Don’t back down. What was it
that led to the successful activist move
ments of the past led by such people as
Martin Luther King Jr.? Resolve and
the refusal to be put off. When the
time came, King was willing to take
to the streets for what he believed and
even go to jail if necessary. King risked
having an arrest record by committing
acts of nonviolent civil disobedience.
He was even willing to sacrifice him
self. Thus, if any movement is to be
truly successful, it must be manned by
individuals who seek a greater good
and do not waver from their purposes.
After all, freedom is not free. There is
always a price to be paid and a sacri
fice to be made.
5. Finally, keep hope alive. Although
our rights are increasingly coming
under attack, we still have certain
freedoms. We can still fight back. We
still have the right to dissent, to pro
test and even to vigorously criticize or
oppose the government and its laws.
The Constitution guarantees us these
rights. If you know your rights, you
can bring about change in the govern
ment, but it will often mean speaking
out when others are silent. It won’t be
easy, but take heart. And don’t give
up.
Much like the colonists who dared
to stand up to Great Britain in 1776,
we too must confront the massive
machinery of government. They
brought about a revolution because of
their courageous tenacity. Likewise,
if we are to pull through these trying
times with our freedoms intact, it will
take the dedication of each and every
one of us.
Time is of the essence.
Constitutional attorney and author
John W. Whitehead is founder and
president of The Rutherford Institute.
He can be contacted at joh nw @ru the r-
ford.org. “I
Upcoming GOP events and meetings
The next GOP Business Meeting
will be Monday, October 5, at 6:00
p.m., at St. William Catholic Church
on St. Simons Island. Preparations
for the GOP Georgia-Florida Shrimp
Boil and other events are on the
agenda.
The GOP Georgia-Florida Shrimp
Boil will be Friday, October 30, at
5:30 p.m., at the Brunswick Exchange
Club Eairgrounds.
To renew Glynn County GOP
membership or for information call
912-262-0565. □