Born Again American

http://www.bornagainamerican.org/

January 16, 2009 BILL MOYERS: It's remarkable, as Simon Schama just reminded us, how so many millions of Americans are coming together in their "collective thoughtfulness," and getting involved in politics and public service.

Consider this: a few years ago, the writer and producer Norman Lear - made famous and rich by such celebrated television series as ALL IN THE FAMILY, THE JEFFERSONS, and MAUDE - bought one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, printed on the night of July 4th, 1776. He toured it around the country to inspire a new generation with its message and mission.

NORMAN LEAR: These people who signed that declaration pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Sacred honor. I mean, that phrase, has always knocked me out. To the citizens of this experimental in democracy depends on that we can pledge.

BILL MOYERS: Now, Norman Lear is campaigning for a new birth of patriotism on the part of every one of us, as an act of personal commitment, not just sentiment.

He'll be taking that message to Barack Obama's inauguration to the sound of music. Norman commissioned Keith Carradine to write a song, "Born Again American", that will be performed at a gala Sunday night at, where else, Washington's Renaissance Hotel, performed by singers and musicians from around the country. On the newly launched "Born Again American" website you can hear the entire song.

VARIOUS SINGERS/MUSICIANS: Just a workin' man without a job
It got shipped off to China via Washington, D.C.
But I know I'm nothing special, there are plenty more like me
But just the same
I thought I knew the rules of the game
My brother's welding chassis at the plant
He's earning what our granddad did in 1948
While CEOs count bonuses behind the castle gates
How can they see
When all they care about's the do, re, mi.
It's getting where there's no where left to turn
Not since the crash of twenty-nine have things been so unfair
So many of our citizens are living in despair
The time has come to reaffirm that hope's not just for some.
The promise of America surrendering to greed
The rule is just look out for number one
But brace yourself 'cause some of us have sown a different seed
A harvest of the spirit has begun
I'm a born-again American conceived in liberty
My Bible and my Bill of Rights
My creed's equality
I'm a born-again American, my country 'tis of me
And everyone who shares the dream from sea to shining sea.

BILL MOYERS: There you have it-the promise of America is not alone a government project; it's in our hands, and requires each of us to take our own oath of commitment.
On our Web site at pbs.org, you can link to the Born Again American site, where you'll find their version of that oath. We also link to other organizations observing Martin Luther King Day on Monday as a national day of community service. As Simon Schama writes in the American future, this republic is shouting to be remade. That's a job for everyone.

I'm Bill Moyers. See you next week.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Born
• Again
• American

[semprejudy]

America was originally founded as a Constitutional Republic, evident in our own Pledge of Allegiance which states: "...and to the republic for which it stands...". The difference between a Republic and a Democracy is basically this: a Democracy is "the rule of the mob," or in nicer terms, majority rules. But a Republic is the rule of law, a set of laws or constitutional provisions that protects the minority from the majority.

[iflightsim]

Great video.

[abcsoaps55]

Of course the irony of this is that it's the religious groups that actually stand against equality and liberty and do all they can to oppress the minority groups/

[65nanda]

America is a blessing country.

God and Jesus, are here.

But the peoples need open theirs hearts.

Christian's missionary's discovery these country,

Everybody is equal in God's eyes.

I Love America, because I born again too!!!

God Bless America, today, tomorrow and forever!!!

[possibledrew]

People need to chill out about nationalism. The US would be a much more enlightened and successful country if more than 20% of its citizens ever obtain passports, let alone travel or live overseas for any amount of time. If Americans were really 'rugged individualists' they might better understand how nationalism is a form of collective brainwashing.

[possibledrew]

The USA would be a much more enlightened country if more of its citizens travel and live overseas at some point in their lives. Almost 80% of the country never even acquires a passport

[meodrowski]

Clinton gave China "Most Favored Nation Status" allowing our jobs to be shipped to a country that abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of prisoners, severe restrictions on freedom of expression and association and violations specific to women. Clinton signed NAFTA,from 1994 to 2007, net manufacturing employment has declined by 3,654,000, and during this period several other free trade agreements have been concluded or expanded. Conclusion-It's Bush's Fault?

[graycloud057]

@semprejudy Thanks you for saying what I wanted to friend. That was right on the spot!. God bless you!