But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
As I drove home from a Stanford football game, late Friday night, the news channel on the radio played several quotes from Donald Trump.
As usual Trump was lying again about how millions of birds are killed by electricity generating wind turbines. The quotes were not new, going back into the 2016 election. Over and over again Trump declared that birds were killed by the thousands by windmills.
Of course these were all lies. Wind turbines that you see on many slopes throughout the country have sonar devices on them that keep birds away. Most birds avoid the blades anyway, but with the sound mortality to birds is nil.
But the deniers of climate change use these lies, to divide us, to somehow persuade us to use MORE fossil fuels that are killing us.
And there is no responsibility, no truth, nothing but the voice of a petulant child who is lying to get something.
And a certain percentage of us listen, pledging loyalty to a man who lies constantly uses hatred to divide and conquer. And he does it transparently and people buy it.
Today John McCain was honored by former Presidents, Republican and Democrat. And one after another, our former leaders of both parties decried the divisiveness that John McCain warned about; and for which Donald Trump hated him.
And Trump treated John McCain like he does those fictitious birds,lying and exaggerating for effect.
And YOU LISTEN TO HIM…in spite of Presidents, of leaders, who by John’s request, are saying over and over again a nation divided against itself cannot stand.
That there is honor and courage but it must be always reinforced by TRUTH. That despots and tyrants use lies to make their points.
One after another, from Bush to Obama they came forth to decry, with direct and indirect references, the administration and leadership of Donald Trump.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
These words were written by a great President and delivered at Gettysburg, one of the most devastating battles of the Civil War, thousands died in one afternoon.
And the nation was very divided to the point of war. The social and political fabric that held the nation together had been deeply torn.
Brother fought brother over slavery.
And that horror, that near failure of the “Great Experiment of Self Government” that was America was nearly lost.
One battle turned the tide and it was the beginning of the end for the Confederacy. And that battle was Gettysburg.
There are no lies in this famous speech. There are no deceptions. The death of thousands, just like the death of one, are not to be trifled with by charlatans or liars. Truth is the payment for sacrifice and honor. Truth only exists in an atmosphere of honor.
McCain knew that. In many political battles, who would always catch himself and apologize if the truth was dishonored. That was the oath he took to: