by Feed your head with a play by Pamela Olson

Created on: March 04, 2009

E Pluribus Unum.
Out of many the one: my tribute to the lost in 9-11.

As the anniversary of 9-11 approached, as is my habit, I spent time at the library to seek support and understanding in the books of others much more experienced and wiser than I am. This time I was again trying to understand the why of such a horrifying and senseless act, and how for it to never happen again. My quest brought up questions. Like the question of how do we as Americans live with our deepest differences? I found my answer in the American motto, E Pluribus Unum, out of many the one. In 1953, President John F. Kennedy said, "If we cannot end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."

Since when did differences come to mean that one could harmfully violate the life, or feelings or reputation of others?

I found another question. How do we as Americans who ALL equally love our country, ensure that the American motto remains our proud accomplishment? When was it decided that we can no longer contemplate, debate and decide the implications of living in a community sharing common resources and equal love of country? I never made that decision, nor would I ever.

The current style of discourse has our fundamental American principles and our striking successes as a republic no longer protecting or promoting our liberty and union. "The collapse of ethical principles and habits. The loss of respect for authorities and institutions, the breakdown of the family, the decline of civility, the vulgarization of high culture, and the degradation of popular culture," is how historian Gertrude Himmelfarb described it.

I willingly chose to serve the country I love. I still find it ironic that it was the military that first taught me the importance of civility and tolerance in diplomacy.

I remain dedicated to my oath by abiding by its covenant of constitutional relationships that require duties as well as recognizing rights, that gives weight to truth, justice and restraint, as well as power, and sees civility and tolerance as necessary and vital companions to freedom and justice for all. I remain dedicated to my oath because the military taught me the duty of diplomacy's civility and tolerance first, the right of battle to back diplomacy up only as a last resort.

Can it really be that there are Americans that no longer value res publica (the public thing)? If so, it insults the brilliance of the American founders of our country, the wisdom of our American framers of our constitution,

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