Brent Holloway, in his Sunday column in our local paper, The Spectrum, wrote a deeply moving essay on his relationship with his son noting that on this weekend as we celebrate the birth of our nation, his son is leaving for Afghanistan. He reminds us all of “the sacrifices of so many who have served.”
His thoughts were still in my mind as I watched Bob Schieffer on Face the Nation. He spoke of the tremendous courage of our Founding Fathers who risked all by signing the Declaration of Independence 235 years ago. He contrasted that memory with what we see in Washington today noting that at a recent CBS News Town Hall he asked Senator Tom Coburn “why the Congress can’t get anything done anymore.”
Coburn stated that the senate has had fewer votes this session than at any time in 25 years. Members are reluctant to take positions on issues because they might have to defend their position in an election thus risking damage to their political careers. “So rather than come up here and do the job and have the courage and the honor to go out and defend your votes, we just don’t vote.” This at a time when our nation faces so many challenges.
While the Washington kabuki dance continues, covered breathlessly by the TV and other media, Brent’s son and thousands of other men and women have the courage and honor to quietly risk all answering the call of our nation.
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