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16 Dec 03 - 06:49 PM (#1074068) Subject: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: Amos 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. 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 |
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16 Dec 03 - 07:30 PM (#1074096) Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: Gareth 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 |
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16 Dec 03 - 07:33 PM (#1074099) Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: Donuel This has always been one my favorite speeches. |
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16 Dec 03 - 08:58 PM (#1074163) Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: Bobert 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 |
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16 Dec 03 - 09:04 PM (#1074168) Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: Amos 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 |
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16 Dec 03 - 09:32 PM (#1074192) Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: DougR 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 |
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16 Dec 03 - 11:10 PM (#1074248) Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: Amos Hmmm--sooner them than us, eh! A |
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16 Dec 03 - 11:17 PM (#1074253) Subject: RE: BS: Four Freedoms of 'Forty-One From: Bobert Don't confuse my buddy Dougie, Amos. I love him but he ain't gonna get it in this life... Bobert |