Forever Earthbound
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

American Patriots

10/18/2015

1 Comment

 
        At our house we recently enjoyed the History Channel’s mini-series entitled “Sons of Liberty.”  What a collection of courageous, selfless men and women who stood up for their rights against the seemingly invincible British Empire!  The series highlights Sam Adams as an independent-minded leader who wouldn’t settle for less than human dignity - a true American patriot.  Without the characteristics of folks like Sam Adams who knows if our great democracy would have ever taken root.  In that time and place his particular qualities were just what true patriots needed to fashion a viable future.

        But the world in 1776 was very different from the one we live in today.  Global population was less than 1 billion, and the American wilderness beckoned.  Today over 7 billion people draw resources from a finite, shrinking planet.  In today’s world perhaps a different set of qualities characterizes true American patriots. 

       Prof. Sallie McFague thinks so; she’s Professor of Theology Emerita at Vanderbilt University. McFague identifies Sam Adams and others as exemplifying qualities she calls the Individualistic Model.  In this model the rights and desires of each individual are foremost.   But in today’s world Prof. McFague suggests that something different, an Ecological Model, best characterizes true patriots striving to fashion a livable future.

       The Ecological Model contrasts markedly to that which served Sam Adams so well.  It acknowledges that humans do not control nature, but rely on it completely.  In it, we partner with nature for every breath and bit of food instead of trying to dominate it.   This model has 3 basic “house rules” including:
1. Take only your share.
2. Clean up after yourself.
3. Keep the house in good repair for future occupants.

            The Ecological Model doesn’t belittle the importance of the rights and desires of individuals.  It just asks us to stick to the house rules.  And that’s hard to do with our consumption-driven economy constantly urging us to buy, buy, buy.  But it’s certainly less threatening to life and limb than taking on the mighty British Empire!

            So let’s honor the sacrifices of Sam, George, Paul, Ben and the others by maintaining a healthy nation and viable future where the pursuit of happiness is within everyone’s grasp.  The Ecological Model may just be the road map that can get us there…because the only home we’ll ever know is right here.   After all, we’re forever…Earthbound.
1 Comment
Zdodz Vinohok link
6/16/2023 08:32:24 pm

Great reading your postt

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    I'm interested in the topics of sustainability and climate change especially in regards to our local area in southwest Wisconsin.

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    Categories

    All
    Carbon Fee And Dividend
    Carbon Sequestration
    Climate Change
    Extreme Weather
    Health
    Local Food
    Lymes Disease
    Mercury Pollution
    Renewable Energy

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.