BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One

Subject: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: Amos
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 06:49 PM

In 1941, FDR was faced with heavy issues -- a world war into which he had to take the US, and a lot of political unrest, and inadequate war production and the need to raise taxes. In his State of the Union, he addressed all these things, including the rising situation of England's battle against Fascism. He spoke of the US as looking forward to a workd in which four freedoms could be found uniformly. We haven't done as well as he hoped, although we have had some successes. I thought it might be good to remind myself of what he said about them, so here it is for them as would like to share it as well:

"In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world    founded upon four essential human freedoms.

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The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world.



The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere    in the world.



The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic    understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for    its inhabitants-everywhere in the world.



The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means    a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion    that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression    against any neighbor--anywhere in the world.



That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind    of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the    very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek    to create with the crash of a bomb.



To that new order we oppose the greater conception--the moral order. A good    society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions    alike without fear.



Since the beginning of our American history, we have been engaged in change    -- in a perpetual peaceful revolution -- a revolution which goes on steadily,    quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions--without the concentration camp    or the quick-lime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation    of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society."


This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its    millions of free men and women; and its faith in freedom under the guidance    of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support    goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is    our unity of purpose. To that high concept there can be no end save victory."

The entire transcript can be found on this page

Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: Gareth
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 07:30 PM

Amos -

Nye Bevan wrote a book on this statement - "Freedom from Fear", tho that was a response to FDR,s pledges, in the connection of British Political Life. I have a copy of this autographed by Jenny Lee, Nye's Widow.

All credit to you for resurecting FDR's words.

So neccessary in this present world.

Gareth

Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: Donuel
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 07:33 PM

This has always been one my favorite speeches.

Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 08:58 PM

Well, we also need to keep in mind that fascists held in contempt the ideas of liberty, freedom and a right to speak one's mind unless it was in total agreement of the policies of the *centralized power* state.

You know, kind like the US is today....

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: Amos
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 09:04 PM

I would like to stress that the informing vision of the United States is closer to what FDR says than to anything Bush and his cronies have done. If you want to know who we are as a nation, you'll get a clearer picture listening to FDR than Bush. That's where the heart and root is. Bobert knows this, and I bet Doug R does also.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: DougR
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 09:32 PM

Well, Amos, you would be wrong to bet on it.

I think that is exactly what Bush hopes to accomplish for the citizens of Iraq.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: Amos
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 11:10 PM

Hmmm--sooner them than us, eh!

A

Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 11:17 PM

Don't confuse my buddy Dougie, Amos. I love him but he ain't gonna get it in this life...

Bobert