The inaugural "freedom"...

I wonder if a word count has been done on President Bush’s inaugural address. I am sure that a high number would be there for the word “freedom” which did sound nice as Americans love the word. It was the basis of their revolution from England. It is a word that can stir the imagination. It is a feel good word. But, what does it really mean? What does it mean to the average American? To fight for freedom are words, high sounding words, words that might motivate a soldier. After all, Americans have never had to use a military for self defence, but its military has fought in foreign wars. Now some may argue that America, the United States entered the Second World War because its territory of Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Yes, that is true but it was not continental America. A question could be asked about America’s “ownership” of Pearl Harbor. How did that come about?

To look at “freedom” in America itself, one needs to ask questions about freedom as it relates to freedom from suffering and pain in areas as hunger, homelessness, fear, discrimination and unemployment. And, what about freedom from the want or the need for money for advanced education for all American youth, health care for all, in particular for the elderly. And, what about the idea of equal opportunity which if cast in “freedom” terms might be freedom from the lack of opportunity which would revert to opportunities for employment, education, recreation facilities, for growth, development and the simple enjoyment of living.

Mr. Bush should address the internal “freedom” for all Americans within the 50 states and the territories. Once that is done and success achieved, Mr. Bush may talk about “freedom” around the world, whatever that means to him and to the citizens of those foreign countries.

A quotation comes to mind that runs like: “Fool rush in where angels fear to fly.”

I wonder, why?