A Commencement Address at the University of America, June 15, 2020, delivered by President John Ellis Bush
Thank you, Chancellor Rice, members of the faculty, Deans of the school of Popular Doctrine and Dissemination, graduates of the class of '20, parents and, of course, members of the American Circle: how pleased I am to be present at the first commencement of this remarkable new institution.
Upon entering the campus today I noticed the university's motto, "Ita erat quando hic adveni," Which, the richly Latinate Dr. Rice informs me, means "It was that way when I got here." A phrase to me most evocative of the beginning of "The Bush Era:" the period comprising the three terms of my brother and former President, George Walker Bush, and my own first and now second term in that honored office.
Understandably, my brother could not be with us today, but his lovely wife and former First Lady is here in his stead. I'm sure you join with me in wishing him a speedy recovery and, God willing, return to a happy and productive life.
I will take a moment to discuss the America that was handed down to us -- no, no, no need to be apprehensive. I do not propose to engage in unwelcome -- and unlawful -- discussion of the discredited and richly-punished malfeasants of the administration preceding ours.
Instead I wish to speak of the tenor of those times, and of our response -- fully aware that I will restate principles familiar to you since the days of your earliest Social Catechism in preschool. But I believe, as do you, that we cannot hear them too often. I will conclude by sharing a little of my vision of the future that awaits you, your nation, and by extension your world.
My brother was bequeathed an America of pervasive self-interest, an America rife with the common belief that happiness was a right, and that it was government's responsibility to ensure that right. An America in which freedom had become consonant with license. An America that did not love itself.
In only a few short months we were to learn of the vicious, psychotic criminals who were determined to bring America down. We were to learn of the enemies within, as well as those without. And we were to learn that we ourselves are our staunchest allies. And, in those dark early days, we had yet to learn that, despite its stated intent to root out the enemies of democracy, the world had neither the resources nor the resolve required to do so, and thus needed our help.
All that we have learned has brought us to a new age -- to be precise, three new ages.
The first is the Age Of Responsibility. America is now a responsible nation, comprised of Sensible Americans. Who are these "Sensible Americans"? They are those that take responsibility for their own actions and act to ensure their own happiness. They are those that love America beyond all else, even beyond themselves and their families. They are as mindful of their nation's welfare as they are their own. They speak for America and not against it, because they understand that dissent is American but disloyalty is not.
Sensible Americans are not a coerced people. They have no need to be censored because they are naturally cautious about the things they say and do. And they are even more cautious about the things they think, because they know that bad actions proceed from bad thoughts, and that bad thoughts feed upon irresponsible expression and faulty reasoning. They recognize and shun unsanctioned sources of "news" and "opinion," and are wary of beguiling artistic expression.
Sensible Americans are their own censors.
Above all, Sensible Americans know that only those that obey the law are entitled to its protections. The law respects those that respect the law.
Second is the Age of Security. We have in America achieved as nearly perfect a society as has existed on this earth. We are totally free of want, free of unwarranted fear, and free of all discrimination that is not specifically ordained by our God. We pursue, we revile, we punish only those who would use our freedom against us -- and those allied with them.
Because we are a generous nation, and because we are here called to duty by our God and our Perfected Constitution, we have exported our security to every corner of the world. Our Super-Consulates now provide the nations of the world with whatever guidance and assistance they may require -- often directly enhancing their institutions with our own administrative and legislative experts to bring order to their often chaotic regimes. And we underwrite the maintenance of that order with our extensive military presence throughout the world. Because we are generous, American values have taken root in the soil of many lands.
But even a world protected by America's might requires vigilance. The New Reality is one of constant threat emanating from disgruntled factions within foreign borders and, sadly, sometimes within our own. We must remember that we are in a permanent war, one that will likely last as long as America survives. We accept that burden and with it whatever inconvenience must be borne. America must and will survive, and there can be no right or privilege, no bond of family or friendship allowed to compromise that sacred purpose.
Finally, this is the Age of God. The New Reality demands that we put aside such outmoded notions as a separate church and state. Are we not, after all, "one nation under God"? Our eastern counterparts gather increasingly under the flag of their belief. Can we do less?
We are, as I have often said, the Lord's Nation. To be one with America is to be one with the Lord. To love America is to love the Lord...but, wait, is there a paradox here? God is love, and we are a nation of God, and yet we openly hate -- we openly hate our enemies as they openly hate us. No, there is no paradox; God wants us to hate our enemies as much as we love ourselves and our friends. For, without hate how can there be love?
As I said, these are truths well know to you -- as evidenced by the profusion of American Circle pins I see lovingly displayed by most of you. These emblems attest to your devotion for your homeland, and signify your entitlement to the privileges and protections of the society of Sensible Americans. May you wear them proudly throughout the long days of struggle ahead. May you always know the special joy that accompanies the creation of something entirely new upon the earth: a unified world under a single vision; a world guaranteed a sheltered, shining future -- an American future.
A Commencement Address at the University of America, June 15, 2020, delivered by President John Ellis Bush
Thank you, Chancellor Rice, members of the faculty, Deans of the school of Popular Doctrine and Dissemination, graduates of the class of '20, parents and, of course, members of the American Circle: how pleased I am to be present at the first commencement of this remarkable new institution.
Upon entering the campus today I noticed the university's motto, "Ita erat quando hic adveni," Which, the richly Latinate Dr. Rice informs me, means "It was that way when I got here." A phrase to me most evocative of the beginning of "The Bush Era:" the period comprising the three terms of my brother and former President, George Walker Bush, and my own first and now second term in that honored office.
Understandably, my brother could not be with us today, but his lovely wife and former First Lady is here in his stead. I'm sure you join with me in wishing him a speedy recovery and, God willing, return to a happy and productive life.
I will take a moment to discuss the America that was handed down to us -- no, no, no need to be apprehensive. I do not propose to engage in unwelcome -- and unlawful -- discussion of the discredited and richly-punished malfeasants of the administration preceding ours.
Instead I wish to speak of the tenor of those times, and of our response -- fully aware that I will restate principles familiar to you since the days of your earliest Social Catechism in preschool. But I believe, as do you, that we cannot hear them too often. I will conclude by sharing a little of my vision of the future that awaits you, your nation, and by extension your world.
My brother was bequeathed an America of pervasive self-interest, an America rife with the common belief that happiness was a right, and that it was government's responsibility to ensure that right. An America in which freedom had become consonant with license. An America that did not love itself.
In only a few short months we were to learn of the vicious, psychotic criminals who were determined to bring America down. We were to learn of the enemies within, as well as those without. And we were to learn that we ourselves are our staunchest allies. And, in those dark early days, we had yet to learn that, despite its stated intent to root out the enemies of democracy, the world had neither the resources nor the resolve required to do so, and thus needed our help.
All that we have learned has brought us to a new age -- to be precise, three new ages.
The first is the Age Of Responsibility. America is now a responsible nation, comprised of Sensible Americans. Who are these "Sensible Americans"? They are those that take responsibility for their own actions and act to ensure their own happiness. They are those that love America beyond all else, even beyond themselves and their families. They are as mindful of their nation's welfare as they are their own. They speak for America and not against it, because they understand that dissent is American but disloyalty is not.
Sensible Americans are not a coerced people. They have no need to be censored because they are naturally cautious about the things they say and do. And they are even more cautious about the things they think, because they know that bad actions proceed from bad thoughts, and that bad thoughts feed upon irresponsible expression and faulty reasoning. They recognize and shun unsanctioned sources of "news" and "opinion," and are wary of beguiling artistic expression.
Sensible Americans are their own censors.
Above all, Sensible Americans know that only those that obey the law are entitled to its protections. The law respects those that respect the law.
Second is the Age of Security. We have in America achieved as nearly perfect a society as has existed on this earth. We are totally free of want, free of unwarranted fear, and free of all discrimination that is not specifically ordained by our God. We pursue, we revile, we punish only those who would use our freedom against us -- and those allied with them.
Because we are a generous nation, and because we are here called to duty by our God and our Perfected Constitution, we have exported our security to every corner of the world. Our Super-Consulates now provide the nations of the world with whatever guidance and assistance they may require -- often directly enhancing their institutions with our own administrative and legislative experts to bring order to their often chaotic regimes. And we underwrite the maintenance of that order with our extensive military presence throughout the world. Because we are generous, American values have taken root in the soil of many lands.
But even a world protected by America's might requires vigilance. The New Reality is one of constant threat emanating from disgruntled factions within foreign borders and, sadly, sometimes within our own. We must remember that we are in a permanent war, one that will likely last as long as America survives. We accept that burden and with it whatever inconvenience must be borne. America must and will survive, and there can be no right or privilege, no bond of family or friendship allowed to compromise that sacred purpose.
Finally, this is the Age of God. The New Reality demands that we put aside such outmoded notions as a separate church and state. Are we not, after all, "one nation under God"? Our eastern counterparts gather increasingly under the flag of their belief. Can we do less?
We are, as I have often said, the Lord's Nation. To be one with America is to be one with the Lord. To love America is to love the Lord...but, wait, is there a paradox here? God is love, and we are a nation of God, and yet we openly hate -- we openly hate our enemies as they openly hate us. No, there is no paradox; God wants us to hate our enemies as much as we love ourselves and our friends. For, without hate how can there be love?
As I said, these are truths well know to you -- as evidenced by the profusion of American Circle pins I see lovingly displayed by most of you. These emblems attest to your devotion for your homeland, and signify your entitlement to the privileges and protections of the society of Sensible Americans. May you wear them proudly throughout the long days of struggle ahead. May you always know the special joy that accompanies the creation of something entirely new upon the earth: a unified world under a single vision; a world guaranteed a sheltered, shining future -- an American future.
Making Your Way Under America
Goodbye, take good scare of yourself
© 2001- 2, Hank Blakely
