BY FRANK VERNUCCIO
Examined individually, the
positions advocated by progressives,
now empowered through
the Biden administration and
big city government, appear to
be isolated acts of irrationality.
What is the end goal of their
ideas, allowing violent criminals
to walk the streets? reducing
defense preparedness even
as authoritarian enemies grow
stronger and more threatening;
spending far more than the
national income, leading eventually
to confiscatory taxes?
Encouraging racial division?
Claiming that parents should
have no say in the education
of their children? Opening the
southern border to massive illegal
immigration?
Clearly, those favoring these
concepts are aware of how they
do not stand up to scrutiny.
That is why there has been a
concerted effort to throttle the
First Amendment. From college
campuses that intimidate
non-leftist professors and students,
to politicians that use the
power of government to intimidate
their opposition, the level
of degradation of what was once
seen as sacred American rights
is truly shocking.
Those ideas, taken singularly,
appear illogical, but they
are advocated in the pursuit of
ending the American experiment
in individual rights.
Throughout most of human
history, the concept of personal
freedom, of rights granted by
God or nature, and not government,
barely existed. Whether
ruled by emperors, kings, chieftains
or strong men, the idea
that an individual could assert
their rights was essentially a
nonstarter.
Piece by piece, Western Civilization,
as we now know it, began
to evolve. First came great
religions that introduced the
concept that each human was
precious to the heart of God.
Centuries later came the idea
that inhabitants of an area were
not “subjects” of monarchs, but
citizens of a nation.
It’s no wonder, then, that
many progressives disdain the
concept of nation states, advocating
the concept instead of
“open borders,” that the Biden
administration now pursues
despite numerous denials of reality.
Similarly, the idea of religion,
an entity independent of
government, is frequently targeted,
because the Judeo-Christian
ethic cherishes the soul of
each man and woman.
The American concept of
individual rights, expressed
in and guaranteed by the Bill
of Rights, was a truly revolutionary
concept, refuting the
normal mode of rule that had
prevailed throughout history.
Through the genius of the Constitution,
flaws in the execution
of that concept were eventually
eliminated, so that in the 21st
century, the concept of personal
freedom has reached its highest
expression. And that has powerfully
upset those that prefer authoritarianism.
The counter-revolution
against the concept of inherent
rights and individual freedom
reaches the highest levels. During
the 2010 confirmation hearings
of Supreme Court nominee
Elena Kagan, she evaded
answering a question about
whether she even believed in
the concept of inherent rights.
Sen. Schumer (D-NY) actually
introduced legislation to
limit the First Amendment’s
application to some political
speech. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)
boldly announced that he would
“love to be able to regulate the
content of speech.” During the
Obama administration, those
disagreeing with the president
were harassed by the IRS and
the Department of Justice.
The progressive strategy is
dangerously real and coherent.
Create disorder through crime
that will eventually make authoritarian
government attractive.
Transfer funding from defense
to welfare-style programs
that make much of the population
financially dependent on
Washington. Reduce the ability
of citizens to meet their own
needs, through hiked taxes and
inflation. Distract voters from
the growing power of government
by turning races and ethnic
groups against each other.
Dilute the concept of participatory
democracy by opening
up the border, then allowing,
as has already been done in
New York City, those here illegally
to vote. Remove the influence
of parents, as progressives
have attempted so vigorously
through our education system,
so that an entire generation is
overwhelmingly influenced by
big government.
It’s a roadmap to the end of
freedom.
40
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, APR. 8-14, 2022 BXR
A federal court room. Photo courtesy Getty
BY TONY SALIMBENE
Remember, April’s regular
Post 253 meeting is Sunday, April
24 at ATNY, 10:30 a.m. to start.
Hope everyone had a nice time
at Antun’s. Maybe we can now get
back to “some kind of normal.”
Forgot to remember Team
Korony, the Throgs Neck Little
League had their Opening
Day parade last Saturday right
around my corner. Let’s get to a
game or two and cheer them on.
Almost time to get our flags
out, new and proud as spring
and summer approach. Noticed
the USPS office at Westchester
Square also flys the POW-MIA
flag. A new post office trend?
Nice, thanks, you know this was
my favorite project.
As for the National SAL Commander’s
Project, let’s get together
for grave flag placing soon.
All SAL Squadrons (and posts)
in the county are invited to join
in.Hint: Officer positions will up
for nominations soon.Until Next
Time: “No amount of proof will
ever convinence an idiot.” -Mark
Twain
CIVIC CENTER
Community Action Civic
Association
BY STEVEN GLOSSER
Please join us as the Pelham
Parkway Neighborhood Association
has their monthly community
meeting on Tuesday, April
12, at 7 p.m. at our new location
2134 Barnes Ave., on the corner
of Barnes and Lydig avenues. We
will welcome special guests from
the FDNY Fire Safety Education
Unit. Please join us for this very
informative session.
This is your opportunity to
bring your community issues,
questions and concerns, and problems
to this meeting. Involvement
from the community is essential
to having a safe, clean and graffiti
free neighborhood. It’s time to
get involved in your community
and stay involved. Your problems
get addressed and action is taken.
Show up and speak up.
CIVIC CENTER
Pelham Parkway
Neighborhood
Association
CIVIC CENTER
Korony Post 253
OLA Spring Is In the
Air Party rescheduled
The spring party has been rescheduled
for Monday, April 18,
doors open at 12:30pm.
For reserves tables, anyone
who is handicapped and cannot
climb two flights of steps, call the
phone number below. All tickets
must be paid for by Tuesday,
April 5; no payment will be accepted
at the door.
OLA Senior Bingo members
$10, non-members $12. There
will be no Senior Bingo on April
12 and 19.
Come join the party, food,
beer, wine, sodas, salad, Easter
desserts, cakes, cookies, coffee,
tea and much more. Raffles,
50/50’s, prizes and a special prize
for the guys with the funniest
original Easter bonnet. We will
be playing five Jackpot Bingo
games; three cards for $6, extra
cards are $1 each. All are welcome.
The April 20 bus ride to Wind
Creek Casino in Pennsylvania is
sold out.
Call Frances Arico at 718-828-
5073.