Loyalty Day

[mbarrick]

by means of ever more effective methods of mind-manipulation, the democracies will change their nature; the quaint old forms — elections, parliaments, Supreme Courts and all the rest — will remain. The underlying substance will be a new kind of non-violent totalitarianism. All the traditional names, all the hallowed slogans will remain exactly what they were in the good old days. Democracy and freedom will be the theme of every broadcast and editorial

--Aldous Huxley, 1958, Brave New World Revisited

A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

America was founded by patriots who risked their lives to bring freedom to our Nation. Today, our citizens are grateful for our Founding Fathers and confident in the principles that lead us forward. On Loyalty Day, we celebrate the blessings of freedom and remember our responsibility to continue our legacy of liberty.

Our Nation has never been united simply by blood, birth, or soil, but instead has always been united by the ideals that move us beyond our background and teach us what it means to be Americans. We believe deeply in freedom and self-government, values embodied in our cherished documents and defended by our troops over the course of generations. Our citizens hold the truths of our founding close to their hearts and demonstrate their loyalty in countless ways. We are inspired by the patriotic service of the men and women who wear our Nation's uniform with honor and decency. The military spouses and families who stand by their loved ones represent the best of the American spirit, and we are profoundly grateful for their sacrifice. Our country is strengthened by the millions of volunteers who show deep compassion toward their neighbors in need. All citizens can express their loyalty to the United States by flying the flag, participating in our democracy, and learning more about our country's grand story of courage and simple dream of dignity.

The Congress, by Public Law 85-529, as amended, has designated May 1 of each year as "Loyalty Day." This Loyalty Day, and throughout the year, I ask all Americans to join me in reaffirming our allegiance to our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 1, 2007, as Loyalty Day. I call upon the people of the United States to participate in this national observance and to display the flag of the United States on Loyalty Day as a symbol of pride in our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.

GEORGE W. BUSH

-- http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/04/20070430-3.html

Comments

[seymour-glass.livejournal.com]

one of the main themes of the book amusing ourselves to death is how huxley's vision is more realistic than orwell's...yet everyone has been conditioned to fear orwell's vision and looks out for big brother...this kind of stuff only reinforces that...

funny though according to wikipedia it was first celebrated as americanization day in 1921 and made an official holiday by congress in 1958...it was to counter labour day or "may day" which is broadly celebrated in europe and the former soviet unions...though many other presidents have made the same proclamation...though i figure his has more to do with the bill funding the iraq war than anything else...

[(Anonymous)]

I believe he also mentioned something about "veto."
~b

[mbarrick.livejournal.com]

"Brave New World Revisited", a follow-up article written in 1958 that takes into account Orwell's vision, is amazingly accurate. Most new printings of "Brave New World" include it now.

Interesting how the attempt to Americanize May Day cropped up in the heyday of the Old Left and then again during hottest days of the Cold War. I wasn't aware of that.

I find this much creepier, though. Not least for the revisionism in what the founding fathers had in mind - the idea of blind loyalty to an imperialistic federal government with a centralized armed forces was what they rebelled against. Freedom is *not* being required to be loyal to the government of a nation-state. The tone of this proclamation is a perfect example of how the "non-violent totalitarianism" Huxley predicted manifests itself.

[seymour-glass.livejournal.com]

yeh i definitely have to get my hands on a copy of "brave new world - revisited"...i read it many years ago but need to refresh...and i totally agree that is exactly the opposite of the vision that the founding fathers had in mind...and it falls totally in line with what the neocons of the heritage foundation espouse and the with the tenets of the project for the new american century as outlined below...i think the most frightening thing is they actually believe their own rhetoric...

The Project for the New American Century is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to a few fundamental propositions: that American leadership is good both for America and for the world; and that such leadership requires military strength, diplomatic energy and commitment to moral principle.

The Project for the New American Century intends, through issue briefs, research papers, advocacy journalism, conferences, and seminars, to explain what American world leadership entails. It will also strive to rally support for a vigorous and principled policy of American international involvement and to stimulate useful public debate on foreign and defense policy and America's role in the world.

and from the heritage foundation:

Defense

Keeping America's military strong is one of the federal government's most important functions. Without armed forces that are properly trained and well armed, the United States is vulnerable to threats both at home and abroad.

[rayna-sabine.livejournal.com]

In view of current american politics, Blade and I have been discussing going to Europe for our honeymoon as opposed to New York or New Orleans. While this may be naive and over-reactionary of me/us, the fact of the matter is the US right now scares me, and I won't go where I don't feel safe.