And so we begin…
What we begin this day, is the culmination of a nearly 20 year-long project by Kettle Moraine Publications, which includes the intellectual battle which led to the formation of the Law of the Land – our Constitution! In addition, we will be publishing those papers and proclamations which came before, including such works as the Mayflower Compact and The Articles of Confederation, some of which have been previously published in our book, AMERICA the Grand Illusion ~ BOOK I: Orphans of the Storm
You’ll note our first posting – The Magna Charta (1215), for this is where our American Revolution began. This entirety of this project will be lengthy and arduous – as there over 700 pages of records to load (to possibly include cross-references between both the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers alone) – and hopefully our end result will provide one of the most thorough and complete dissertations of these monumental records ever published on-line – with (planned for) links connecting the ‘Point’ and ‘Counterpoint’ views of the participants and authors.
And so we come to “Words & Deeds” ~ what we hope to be an important segment of Kettle Moraine Publications – addressing the history of this experiment, which we call ‘America’ – a project, which began in the spring of 2001, and ultimately became one of the most internationally successful series of posts of the first generation Federal Observer web site beginning in October 2001. Herein will be presented the words, letters, speeches, papers and much more from it’s earliest days that made America what she was to become – before the fall.
For teachers and educators – as well as those who just want to expand their historical knowledge – we are proud to bring this project to you… and so we begin.
~ Wisdom and Knowledge ~
Chapter I. Orphans of the Storm (1215 – 1632)
Chapter II. Birth of a Nation (1633 – 1800)
Chapter III. Growing Pains of the Republic (1801 – 1856)
Chapter IV. What God has joined… (1857 – 1869)
Chapter V. Toward New Horizons (1870 – 1931)
Chapter VI. Depression, New Deal and Beyond (1932 – 1945)
Chapter VII. Beyond Victory and Toward a New Frontier (1946 – 1963)
Chapter VIII. The Decline and Fall of the American Empire (1963 to…)
~ Introduction ~
“Your adversaries are composed of wretches who laugh at the rights of humanity, who turn religion into derision, and would, for higher wages, direct their swords against their leaders of their country. WE have no other choice than independence.” ~ Samuel Adams, 1776
In the 1940 MGM movie, Northwest Passage, starring Spencer Tracy (as Major Robert Rogers), and Robert Young (as fictional cartographer, Harvard graduate, Langdon Towne), there were several instances where Rogers and his master map-maker would be separated for one reason or another, whether for hours or longer, and each time they parted, Roger’s would say to Towne, “I’ll see you at sun-down!” It is a line of dialog I have never forgotten.
As I originally wrote this post, it was past one o’clock on the morning of February 5, 2017, and as I ponder on my seven-plus decades on this earth – I wonder what my grandchildren will face when they reach my age.
During these years, I have watched and witnessed the decline and fall of this once great Republic which my ancestors had fought for; those who came to these shores shortly after the Mayflower and settled in Boston in 1633 (David Sellack, né Sellick); those who fought for freedom and liberty during the war for our Independence; those who forged westward to settle in what was then known as the West (Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin) and those who chose to fight for what they believed in during the War of Northern aggression (Uncle Sam Cole of Harvard, Illinois).
Although I remember much of my early life, I specifically remember my awakening at the Crestwood Elementary School in Northbrook, Illinois – the only year I attended this school – and what a year it was – or should I say – what a teacher it was – that stirred the passions within me for reading and truth! I have often spoken of Donald Adair in my nearly two and a half decades of broadcasting, and only wish that I knew of his whereabouts – if he still lives. In my mind – he does, and to this day I thank him for his guidance.
It was during his tutelage that I learned to question the stories being told of what we refer to in this country as, “The Civil War.” First of all – let’s get it out in the open – no war has anything to do with civility. The “War Between the States” was fought over three main issues – economics, taxes (tariffs) and states rights (as per the 10th Amendment to the united States Constitution), with slavery being a minor issue at the time. These things I was taught in 1957-58 by a man who had not been brainwashed by the machinations and manipulations of the likes of John Dewey and Horace Mann. Government programs such as, “Goals 2000,” and “No Child Left Behind” (ALL children left behind) had evolved. Donald taught me how to read between the lines, how to search out the truth and how to share it with others. While the class prepared to put on a series of short performances regarding this period in history, I was asked to participate in the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House at the end of the war. I was offered whichever role I wanted – I chose the gentleman from Virginia, and have never regretted it. I knew then…
Will everyone be satisfied with our inclusions? Probably not, and I expect hear from readers asking, “Why didn’t you include, this?” or “Why did you include a speech given by that Communist?” Well frankly – this IS our story. The series will be offered in (for the most part) historically chronological order, beginning at a time in history before Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
As one who has spent years reading and studying America’s history, and subsequently teaching it on the air, and through the nearly 80,000 posts on our various websites, I have marveled at the ability to affect individual human beings in how we have been able to change their lives in dedication to God, country and their respective families. It is my hope that I will be able to facilitate further change in attitude and knowledge with our newly revamped section of Metropolis Café – a section originally offered on the Federal Observer beginning in 2002.
I believe that in order to understand this nation’s current conundrum and how we got there, we must first understand our history – something no longer discussed or taught in our government-controlled indoctrination centers, known as “schools.” Let this be your familys’ “school.”
Consider the works of the great painters, Matisse, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Renoir and so many others. In their lifetimes, they received little or no recognition, often trading their works for a meal or a months lodging. It was not until long after they were gone, was their genius and their value as artists finally recognized. Each in their own way changed a small part of the world and its love and understanding of beauty. While I do not consider myself a genius or artist on-par with those great artists, I do hope that what we offer here, and in subsequent volumes, might one day change the way someone THINKS and acts – and that unto itself might benefit the nation or the world as a whole – and to teach – those who wish to learn.
These are among my goals for what time I have left here on God’s good earth – and to leave my grandchildren – and all the children of the earth – a history of this grand experiment known as America, with both its successes and failures.
I’ll see you at Sundown,
~ About the Author ~
A veteran of Viet Nam, student of history (both American and film), Jeffrey Bennett has broadcast for nearly 28 years years as host of various programs and has been considered the voice of reason on the alternative media – providing a unique and distinctive broadcast style, including topics such as health and wellness, news, financial well-being, political satire (with a twist), education and editorial commentary on current events through the teaching of history. In addition, he is the CEO of Kettle Moraine, Ltd.