Tags
9/11, Chancellor Merkel, George W Bush, John L. O'Sullivan, President Obama, Sally Hemings, spying, The Manifest Destiny, Thomas Jefferson, trust
John L. O’Sullivan, (15 November 1813 – 24 March 1895) sketched in 1874, was an influential columnist as a young man, but he is now generally remembered only for his use of the phrase “manifest destiny” to advocate the annexation of Texas and Oregon. (See Manifest Destiny, Wikipedia.)
Micheline is sad, says Belaud the cat. She is sad because she does not think President Obama knew to what extent practices, proponents of the “Manifest Destiny” would have allowed, were used by United States President George W. Bush.
She also thinks that, in all likelihood, abusive surveillance continued after Barack Obama was elected President of the United States because he did not know the US was listening in on the entire world, including its friends. We need to trust at least a few persons and nations, which fully explains Chancellor Merkel’s reaction. President Obama knew he had to protect his people, but may not have been aware that the NSA (National Security Agency) was monitoring Chancellor Merkel’s mobile telephone.
“Now Micheline” I said, “you know very well that people hear what they want or wish to hear and that the manner in which a message is understood depends largely on the way it is formulated. He may not have known.”
“Manifest Destiny”
The term “Manifest Destiny” was coined by John O’Sullivan in the July-August 1845 issue of his United States Magazine and Democratic Review and, according to William Earl Weeks,[i] quoted in Wikipedia, its three themes were the following:
- The special virtues of the American people and their institutions;
- America’s mission to redeem and remake the world in the image of America;
- A divine destiny under God’s direction to accomplish this wonderful task.
Thomas Jefferson
Founding father Thomas Jefferson (13 April 1743 – 4 July 1826) was a proponent of the “Manifest Destiny.” Yet, he owned hundreds of slaves and fathered six children with slave Sally Hemings (c. 1773 – 1835). Four survived to adulthood, at which point they were freed. Sally Hemings was of mixed ancestry and the children were “seven-eighths European in ancestry” and white in appearance. (See Sally Hemings, Wikipedia.) But he did not free Sally Hemings. She would have been auctioned off, had Jefferson’s daughter, Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph, not freed her.
George W. Bush
I also told Micheline that, although former US President George W. Bush (born July 6, 1946) adhered, knowingly or unknowingly, to the concept of the “Manifest Destiny” (see Manifest Destiny, Wikipedia), after the events of 9/11, former President G. W. Bush may have felt very distraught which could have led him to enter Iraq, a sovereign country. He was the President of the United States, its Commander-in-Chief, the US had been attacked by terrorists, and he had been influenced by the “Manifest Destiny.”
And now we have learned that former President G. W. Bush did not know how far he could go too far. He let the NSA (National Security Agency) monitor the telephones of allies of the United States. If an individual adheres to the notions set forth in the “Manifest Destiny,” there is a risk that individual will not know that his or her rights end where the rights of others begin.
President George W. Bush may not have been as great a president as Thomas Jefferson, but I’m quite certain he will never be made to answer for his actions. All is right under the mantle of the “Manifest Destiny,” which is why Micheline fears the notion of exceptionalism.
Conclusion
“Don’t worry, Micheline, President Obama will do all that is needed to regain the confidence of his allies. Yes, some people will use this opportunity to fault him, but it will not work. Too large a number of United States citizens will see the truth. What is really sad, Micheline, is that we have extremists right here who threaten Canadian unity.”
Remember McCarthyism
“The term McCarthyism, coined in 1950 in reference to Joseph McCarthy‘s practices, was soon applied to similar anti-communist activities. Today the term is used more generally in reference to demagogic, reckless, and unsubstantiated accusations, as well as public attacks on the character or patriotism of political opponents.” (See Joseph McCarthy, Wikipedia.)
The bottom line, Belaud said, is that one can fully expect citizens who insist on carrying firearms also to monitor their friend’s telephone conversations.
RELATED ARTICLES
- The “Manifest Destiny” & the News (michelinewalker.com)
- Le Devoir, 29 October 2013 (FR)
Manifest Destiny
© Micheline Walker & Belaud
29 October 2013
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Micheline's Blog 
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat™.
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Thank you Jueseppi,
I couldn’t resist. President Obama did not know.
Take care,
Micheline
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People think the POTUS knows everything that goes on in government, not one CEO or President of any corporation knows what goes on in every aspect of his/her company. You delegate duties. Thats what a POTUS does, he appoints heads/directors of agencies to handle that business.
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People rush to judgement. They are not realistic. President Obama had nothing to do with so invasive a form of monitoring. That was Bush’s decision and the NSA doesn’t talk very much. In fact, it was in their best interest to continue practices that had begun during Bush’s presidency. It validated them. This is more scapegoating and it is unacceptable.
Chancellor Merkel sounded the alarm, which she had to do so the world would know and to put an end to invasive practices. I am quite certain she and President Obama are friends again. The advantage is that we now know more about the “wars” and about the Republicans.
President Obama trusts his allies and he will continue to do so. Angela Merkel is an extremely intelligent woman as is President Obama. The two are a perfect match, diplomatically speaking and she also had a good relationship with Hillary Clinton. Take care Jueseppi.
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You too Ms. Micheline….enjoy a wonderful day.
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yes, I do agree, Micheline… Frau Angela and Mr Obama are highly intelligent people, but the POTUS is “surrounded” by “big brothers” from the 8 years of bushy period, brrr!…(bush does NOT deserve capital letter!)
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Mélanie,
It’s a bit of a “tragedy.” Bush could declare war and invade countries with apparent impunity. but President Obama is a “marked” man and his being black could well be making him irrelevant in the eyes of Americans of too many U.S. citizens. Bises, Micheline
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Manifest Destiny sounds rather frightening.
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Dear Gallivanta,
Manifest Destiny says so much about the US. Canadians were recovering from the 1837-1838 Rebellions, but soon got together in part because of Manifest Destiny and also because of the Fenian raids. They quickly realized they would otherwise be “annexed” by the US. Confederation occurred in 1867 and French Canadians played a significant role in Canada being united. The “separatists” have forgotten. Love to you Gallivanta,
Micheline
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A strange piece of history which has nothing to do with manifest destiny but one of our main streets in Christchurch is called Montreal Street, named after an old bishopric in Montreal. Have I mentioned this to you before? I find it a strange little connection.
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It is a strange connection, but there could be an explanation. Canada had rebellions in 1837-1838 and many rebels were sent to Australia. Some may have travelled to New Zealand. They came back to Canada.
Love,
Micheline
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So these people were deported to Australia?
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Yes Gallivanta, they were. However Canada did not leave them there very long. Approximately 52 rebels went to Australia, but they were needed in Canada. With “Manifest Destiny,” we had to make sure we secured Canada from sea to sea. They were not criminals. Confederation was achieved about 26 years later, which is very fast.
Love,
Micheline
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Fascinating!
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Dear Gallivanta,
History is a fascinating subject. We cannot know for sure that there’s a link between the street named Montreal and the presence of French-Canadian “patriotes”
led to interest in Montreal half way across the globe. But the short presence of 52 Canadian deportees in Australia may explain the naming of a street. They were there for a very short time but some people may have remembered them. They were British subjects who met other British subjects and were soon repatriated.
Have a good day Gallivanta
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Dear Micheline, I hope that you are well. You are a woman full of wisdom.
It’s hard politics. Politicians are always surprising. I hope that President Obama will remain as fair and take the best decision in all his actions.
God bless you, dear Micheline.
Have a wonderful day dear Micheline.
Big hugs, much love, Stefania! 🙂
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Is this The Destiny, the mission..
The belief in an American mission to promote and defend democracy throughout the world…
Well as you have pointed above: ” If an individual adheres to the notions set forth in the “Manifest Destiny,” there is a risk that individual will not know that his or her rights end where the rights of others begin
Moreover, point three doesn´t make sense, rationally speaking… (A divine destiny under God’s direction to accomplish this wonderful task… ???)…
This is as weird as dangerous as I see it Micheline…
Interesting stuff thanks for sharing ;
Cheers Aquileana 🙂
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Aquileana,
The Manifest Destiny is the strangest belief I have come across in the history of the United States. It has led to the US’ relatively negative image in the eyes of other nations. There is something bombastic about it. How can anyone think this way? Yet it has affected millions of Americans, including G. W. Bush.
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