Thankful...Thursday, November 25, 2010 From: President Barack Obama

When Michelle and I sit down with our family to give thanks today, I want you to know that we'll be especially

grateful for folks like you.

Everything we have been able to accomplish in the last two years was possible because you have been willing to work for it and organize for it.

And every time we face a setback, or when progress doesn't happen as quickly as we would like, we know that you'll be right there with us, ready to fight another day.

So I want to thank you -- for everything.

I also hope you'll join me in taking a moment to remember that the freedoms and security we enjoy as Americans are protected by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. These patriots are willing to lay down their lives in our defense, and each of us owes them and their families a debt of gratitude.

Have a wonderful day, and God bless.

Barack

An excerpt from "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" -- by Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

...After all, the practical reason why, when the power is once in the hands of the people, a majority are permitted, and for a long period continue to rule, is not because they are most likely to be in the right, nor because this seems fairest to the minority, but because they are physically the strongest. But a government in which the majority rules in all cases cannot be based on justice, even as far as men understand it.

Can there not be a government in which the majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?--in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable? Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? Why has every man a conscience then? I think that we should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right.

The only obligation which I have a right to assume, is to do at any time what I think right. It is truly enough said that a corporation has no conscience; but a corporation of conscientious men is a corporation with a conscience.

Law never made men a whit more just; and, by means of their respect for it, even the well-disposed are daily made the agents on injustice. A common and natural result of an undue respect for the law is, that you may see a file of soldiers, colonel, captain, corporal, privates, powder-monkeys, and all, marching in admirable order over hill and dale to the wars, against their wills, ay, against their common sense and consciences, which makes it very steep marching indeed, and produces a palpitation of the heart. They have no doubt that it is a damnable business in which they are concerned; they are all peaceably inclined. Now, what are they? Men at all? or small movable forts and magazines, at the service of some unscrupulous man in power?

A few closing thoughts...

Our leaders often speak eloquently about the "rule of law," what the "majority" of Americans think or feel on any issue (that corrupted leaders FROM BOTH PARTIES wish to demagogue around), and the sacrifices that young men and women (in uniform) are making for freedom. The question that immediately arises is WHO'S FREEDOM? WHO'S LIBERTY? And what exactly is meant by "the rule of law?"

A man who just a few years ago was considered the second most powerful man in the republican party has just been convicted in a Texas court. While print and broadcast media have reported that Mr. Tom Delay can potentially receive a "LIFE SENTENCE," such an outcome is HIGHLY UNLIKELY! Despite going to trial and losing, it would be a surprise if he receives more than five years. He will remain free until sentencing, and when sentenced any time he does receive will be discharged in CLUB FED - not in the type of prison that the common folk of America are routinely consigned to.

As it pertains to our men and women in uniform, the observation that Thoreau made in his thought-provoking essay is still relevant to this day! ("They have no doubt that it is a damnable business in which they are concerned.") And this is precisely why the suicide rate among U.S. soldiers is so high and steadily climbing...and with every passing day that this imperialist war continues to rob other peoples of their "freedoms and security," the price paid through the walking wounded who will return from this damnable war will continue to mount.

Time is not on our side. In this season of thanksgiving, let us reflect on Thoreau's words; and reflect too on the word's of two other historic figures from times past:

"Civilization is based on justice, and the consequence of oppression is devastating. Therefore, it is said ALLAH aids the just state, even if it is non-Muslim; yet withholds His help from the oppressive state, even if it is Muslim." - Sheikh ibn Taymeeyah

"I tremble for my country when I reflect, God is just; His justice cannot sleep forever." - [Founding Father]Thomas Jefferson

And let us be the agents of CHANGE that we claim to seek!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Mauri' Saalakhan is a Metropolitan Washington, DC, based human rights advocate, who serves as Director of Operations for The Peace Thru Justice Foundation.

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