freedom

“Freedom is the Almighty God’s gift to every man and woman.” President Bush, Speaking to the National Urban League, 23 July 2004

What does it mean? Without getting into what freedom is - the statement doesn’t jive with the history of the world. If you replace the noun Freedom with another noun - such as “automobiles” then God would have given automobiles to every man and woman on earth. When they were born, a car would appear with their name on it.

A chicken in every pot.

Unfortunately, freedom is not as tangible as a shiny new car.

But the idea that a supreme being gave freedom as a gift - this is impossible to prove. I can’t find anything in the ten commandents where God says that freedom is one of his gifts. I don’t know the bible well enough - but can someone tell me where it says that freedom is His gift.

There is the idea that God made us free to make good and bad choices - but not free in any democratic sense.

If anything - there is evidence that political freedom is not a gift from high above - but part of an ongoing struggle that humanity must fight and die for.

Most of human history consists of wars to conquer, subjugate, and assimilate weaker societies. Sometimes - this is done in the name of peace. We will conquer the barbarians and make them part of our great civilization.

In short - where is the proof that Freedom is God’s Gift?

“I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again.” State of the Union address, January 20, 2004

I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to be part of something larger than their own individual lives. This desire takes many forms: love of country, religious worship, political parties, the military, corporate identity, sports fan, etc.

ads

The commercial comes on for Chase Manhattan Bank. I don’t know what they’re selling. All I am aware of is that they are playing All You Need Is Love throughout the spot. I can remember hearing that song for the first time. I was a camp counselor, and had just walked into town on my day off. In the local luncheonette the song was playing on the radio. Everyone at the counter seemed to be hearing it for the first time. God - it was long. Just when you thought it was over it burst into All You Need Is Love again. I pulled out a transistor radio and stuck the ear plug in. They were playing the song over and over as if it were something holy.

It meant something. I’m not sure I ever believed that, All You Need Is Love - idea - even back in that generation I was a sceptic. But even without the words - the song when through all kinds of permutations of form that I hadn’t heard before.

But anything is fair game for sale these days, and for any reason. A bank playing All You Need Is Love - that’s as absurd as This Call To The Bullpen Brought To You By [your company name here].

Blowin’ In The Wind - I think that’s in some Volvo commercials.

The Kinks (I’m not like everybody else) for IBM.

The secret to understanding Commercials is to watch and listen to them carefully. It shouldn’t be too hard to understand what message they’re trying to get across. Then invert the message and you’ll know what the corporation is really about.

CHASE: We are hip, cool, sixties oriented, and loving. (Sure, and I’m Jimi Hendrix)