So, we look out over the landscape and take in what we see. But, we also are looking for something in particular: democracy.
The recent events in Egypt have democracy much on everyone's minds these days. We are vividly aware of the importance of freedoms of assembly and freedom of speech. One commentator interviewed a professor of classics from Oklahoma (I've forgotten which school). This professor asserted that democracy has only taken root in places influenced by the Greek ideals. I wondered if this was an observation in support of democracy in Egypt or against. In fact, his later comments made clear against, despite the Egyptians having had a Roman era.
Our task, or part of it, will be to pay close attention to our assumptions. One of those is that democracy is a good to be desired for everyone, when in fact many people have flourished without it. Another is our assumed and often unarticulated notions of what constitutes democracy. This weekend Secretary of State Clinton emphasized American support for free and fair elections. Is that an necessary component? Is it the whole? That professor suggested that a group of people might vote for an absolutist government.
Today we begin with some words from Lincoln.
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