Sunday, November 2, 2008

Norman Rockwell's America (and Franklin D. Roosevelt's) Is Vanishing

Even if individuals are unfamiliar with the name, Norman Rockwell, few are unaware of his famous illustrations of everyday life in America. Within his collection, my favorites are the Four Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom From Fear, and Freedom From Want, which has become the symbol for times of holiday celebration with friends and family. Rockwell's inspiration was from a speech given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Old Democratic Party when reason triumphed) in the State of the Union Address he delivered to Congress. These four points were basic freedoms that FDR felt humans "everywhere in the world" ought to possess. Let's hope that Americans can "plumb line" back to a morally acceptable place, starting from Congress and radiating outward, so that our freedoms in the Constitution are preserved not just on paper...but also in practice.

Zanne Booker 11-02-08

Note: Freedom...if you can't picture it, then you never knew it.