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 Josh Mackey
Midwest Opinions Co-Host, Swap Shop Host, News Director, Production Manager, Board Operator
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FOLLOW JOSH ON TWITTER: JOSH'S BIO
Josh was born in Longmont, Colorado, on May 3rd, 1977. He attended high school at Golden High School. He also attended Clearfield Job Corps in Clearfield, Utah. When Josh was still a teenager, he moved to Nebraska to be a part of his daughter's life and, besides a year in Milwaukee in 2004 - 2005, has lived in Nebraska ever since. Josh LOVES the radio and music in general. He spends a lot of his time working with various non-profits (he is board president for the Sandhills Crisis Intervention Program and often lends his voice for various non-profit fundraisers). If Josh could live anywhere in the world, it would be close to his beautiful daughter Katie. He enjoys playing and writing music and still DJ's once in a while on the weekends. One of his daily highlights is arguing with his co-host John!! ...say, who's writing this bio anyway?! Actually, the idea that debates are being conducted and discussions are being had about important things is the highlight.
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Josh's Personal Note
Wednesday 08-25-2010 5:17pm MT
As you may know my mother passed away recently after one of the most courageous and inspirational battles with the same scourge that takes many of our friends and family members -- cancer. The fight lasted two and a half years and my mom took every step on her own terms. For all of those that have lost someone important and for those that have dealt with cancer, my heart goes out to you. Even when I've said in the past that I know, or think I know, how it feels, I really didn't. But I do now, and I have a powerful sympathy and admiration that I didn't have before.
I've received some good advice, some questionable advice, and some great advice, all of which I know were offered in the utmost of best intentions. For that I am extremely grateful.
For all of those that I've let down in the past month, I'd like to apologize. And I'd like to convey that I'm as committed as ever to the people and causes that I've worked with in the past. I hope you all can understand that my absence was devoted to the best cause.
My appreciation and gratitude is almost as overwhelming as the feeling of loss. The support is outstanding. I've received letters, emails, Facebook posts, cards, phone calls and more, full of kind words. For all that have prayed for my mom, for all that have kept her in your thoughts and hearts, please know my gratitude is of epic proportion. I and my family appreciate it all. You all worked to lift my mother up in a time of dyer need, and we are better for it. Thank you.
The radio station has been great through all of this, and I can't say thank you enough to all of the employees and the station as a whole.
I have been humbled and inspired by the humanity displayed by so many, crossing so many boundaries through selflessness and raw distinction.
My mother was a guardian angel for so many while she was here on earth, and now she will continue that role elsewhere. And all of the generosity and kindness put forth by people, that never even met my mom, worked to make her transition far from lonely or neglected.
The entire experience has been humbling in a profound way. I hope I can return, or pay forward, the amazing display of realness that I've experienced over the past month and more.
More than anything, thank you. Do Opinions Matter?
Sunday 07-18-2010 7:47pm MT
What makes an opinion matter? Anything?
"Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth." Charles A. Dana (1819 - 1897)
In my life, I've grown to understand that while opinions are important, they are simply a means of communication. Voicing opinions is not voicing facts or voicing evidence, it is voicing perspective. Perspective is subjective. If you shut one eye completely and shut the other eye most of the way, you'll have a much different visual perspective of what you're looking at than if you open both eyes. As you're looking through your one, slightly-open, eye, that vision is your truth, is it not? It is what you see. It is real. Your determination of what the objects are that you're looking at may be entirely wrong, but that determination is your reality. That reality is truth until proven wrong.
I, by no means, am disillusioned when it comes to my opinion. Occasionally I find myself in a situation where I believe something to be true only to find out I was misled or had misled myself. While it can be embarrassing, depending on the moment the realization occurs, it does not induce a feeling of defeat or minimize my value of existence.
When someone tells me I should stick to talking about food and stay away from major issues like the BP oil spill, it drives me to offer more of my opinion and perspective.
The show is full of opinions. Some based on pure speculation, others based on hard facts, still others based on both. The show is called Midwest Opinions. Meaning, it is a forum for people to voice their opinion. I consider myself a person. I consider every one of our listeners a person. Regardless of how much I may disagree, or how much I may occasionally get offended, I value different perspectives.
I have had many times in my life when my perspective changed drastically in a split second. I remember sitting on the back of a public bus when I was a teenager. I was at a low point in my life and had no sense of home. My mother would allow me back into the home, but I didn't feel like that was the best place for me. I ran away from all of that for a reason. I couldn't sit in that atmosphere and slowly medicate myself to death with mediocrity. I had to break free. Little did I know that the freedom I sought so desperately would thrust me into an almost inescapable trap. At the time, I was exactly where I wanted to be - even though I had no where to call home, and didn't know where I was going to sleep that night. I got off the bus and sat at another bus stop to await my next bus, a transfer. It was the middle of the night right in the middle of downtown Denver - a rock's throw from the capitol building. Joining me at the bus stop were two other people. One had a shopping cart full of miscellaneous items, some curiously miscellaneous. The person was wearing tattered clothes and looked ancient. Missing teeth, worn hands, wrinkles from squinting... I wondered what the story was. Did this person suffer some horrible, irreversible trauma? War? Addiction? Abuse? What was it? The other person was pacing frantically just outside of the glass bus stop, talking up a storm. A closer audible examination determined that I had no clue what that person was ranting about. None. This person, too, had tattered clothes and looked tired and worn. As the person walked by the glass of the bus stop, I noticed a reflection in the glass. It was of a young guy with tattered jeans, 3 layers of clothing on his torso, long, ratty hair and a frown. It was me. At that point, my perspective of my new found freedom changed drastically. I thought mediocrity suddenly seemed like a pretty good thing.
Opinions are formed, usually, based on experience and perspective. That experience and perspective cannot be duplicated. It cannot be cloned. Even people that go through the exact same things and live in the exact same environments come out with different opinions. So should those opinions be devalued based on a lack of fact or evidence? Remember, it was once the popular opinion that the world is flat and the sun rotates around the earth.
Before you degrade or downplay a person's opinion, consider the path of that opinion. Walk a mile in that opinion's shoes. Maybe you'll see the opinion contains much more value than first thought.
-Josh Mackey
War
Wednesday 06-30-2010 1:53pm MT
Now that General McChrystal has officially been removed as the commander of the commander in Afghanistan, General Patraeus has taken over - and the Islamic blogs and broadcasts are already teaming with messages of victory. The truth is, the change occurred because General McChrystal violated a long-standing, and important, tradition in the military - respect the chain of command. General McChrystal and his staff chose to bad mouth and even make fun of members of the administration while a reporter from Rolling Stone Magazine was writing an article. Hopefully this sort of public mocking is only an isolated incident, or the Islamic blogs and broadcasts may be closer to being accurate in the future. Thankfully, they're just using it as propaganda right now.
This morning on the show, we spoke with Congressman Adrian Smith (Nebraska's Third District - Republican) about the war and about the change in leadership. He said he was surprised with General McChrystal's comments. He is, however, optimistic that General Patraeus will do an excellent job as the commander in Afghanistan.
My hope - that the mission isn't lost. The original mission in Afghanistan was to find and kill Osama Bin Laden, not occupy or democratize the country. I understand that occupation and democratization are two things that could lead to an eventual downfall of Al-Qaeda, but it seems to be an exercise in futility. The Afghan Government is utterly corrupt right now and will likely remain that way as long as the socio-economic climate in Afghanistan is a turbulent one. As controversial as it is, I think a more focused attack would be best - focused like covert ops. President Obama is already taking heat about his "secret war" because he has increased covert operations without disclosing what they are. Hm. If he discloses them publicly, they won't be covert.
The Afghanistan war is the longest war in U.S. history. Let's hope the mission remains clear, and let's hope the mission is attainable.
We thank all of the military men and women that have, are and will defend this country. You all do an extraordinary job and we are most appreciative. Our discussions about war in general and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are, in no way, criticism of the men and women serving our country in uniform. I believe that dialogue about major events like the wars is necessary to make sure we are not being led down a gruesome and bloody path for no reason. May you all return home safely.
-Josh Mackey
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TWITTER Government - Only as Good as We Are
Saturday 04-03-2010 8:39am MT
Scoff if you'd like, but that's my opinion. Our government is set up so that people can get involved and make it better (or worse).
"It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried." - Winston Churchill
Nothing involving governance or control is perfect or, in many cases, the "best". The thing is, our Democratic Republic is the best setup the world has seen so far. I know that's arguable, but that's just my opinion. There have been other models that I've appreciated, but in terms of dealing with mass amounts of people and working to keep a society safe, our system is pretty effective.
The so-called "tea party" had a gathering this past Thursday. On Wednesday, a woman planning on attending the rally called into Midwest Opinions to encourage people to attend. I asked her why the movement was called the "tea party". She said "why not?". I mentioned the "tea party" was a very specific event in history that came about based on what many felt were crimes against society - taxation without representation. She seemed to think that's what's going on in our country right now. Hm. Really? Are you sure?
Currently there are 535 members of Congress (both the House and Senate) and there are 7,382 state legislators in the country at last count. Some would say these numbers are too high, others would say they're too low, others says these are fine numbers and yet others don't care. The thing is, there is representation. There is no taxation without representation. In fact, many tax plans have to be APPROVED by voters via ballot initiatives.
When the actual "tea party" occurred, settlers in the New World were not being represented in the Royal Government. Plain and simple. They had no one advocating for them or representing them. That's just not the case these days.
Now, some can argue that the representation isn't adequate, or that it is poor representation. But hey, major elections occur every 2 years, giving people the chance to elect whom they want. Sure, I get jaded and apathetic, too. I think most people do. The thing is, in my opinion, our government is only as good as we are. So they're running away with our money and distributing it to people that don't deserve it? What are you doing about it? So they're spending way too much, in your opinion? What are you doing about it? So they're taking away too many civil liberties and rights? What are you doing about it? So you don't feel like your voice is being heard? What are you doing about it?
Many signs at so-called "tea party" rallies say things like "no socialism", "know Obama, no Obama", "banana republic", etc. They've gone much further than all of that, but they seem to be tempering down following mass criticism.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, socialism is defined as:
"1. any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2. a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3. a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done"
I, admittedly, am fairly naive about national production. I don't know the regulations or "controls" on each and every industry. But I'd like to believe that the PEOPLE involved in crafting legislation and laws have some good intention. I think the major problem is the fact that lawmakers tend to be bought and paid for - due to a lack of campaign finance laws. But that's a whole different issue.
According to the Wall Street Journal:
"Successful corporations are run by benevolent despots. The CEO of a corporation has the power to manage effectively. He decides company policy, organizes the corporate structure, and allocates resources pretty much as he thinks best."
So if a CEO feels that 12-hour working days in a 7-day work week, low pay and lack of health insurance is managing effectively, that's how that corporation works. If that corporation, through previous success, gets so big that it employs a large portion of the society, it begins dictating its own labor laws. A company that big has the ability to hold the populous down. Who would ensure our security from a GROUP OF PEOPLE like that? The people. How would they become strong enough to take on a large corporation that has the money and power to ruin lives? Organize. What would that organization look like? Government.
The Wall Street Journal also says:
"American government was designed by the Founding Fathers to be inefficient, and inefficient it most certainly is. The President is the government's CEO, but except for trivial matters, he can't do anything without the permission of two separate, very large committees (the House and Senate) whose members have their own political agendas. Government always has many cooks, which is why government's broth is so often spoiled."
People are worried that the government is taking over business. Where? I don't see it. They operate the U.S. Postal Service, and it has to directly compete with other businesses. One of the problems of the post office, in my opinion, is that it still operates with antiquated policies. If it adopted more "progressive" policies like UPS or FedEx, it would probably be able to compete more. But when was the last time that you heard of Congress taking up the inefficiencies of the post office besides saying "it is losing money, we have to cut costs"? I don't recall a single time. Some minor changes have been made to promote the post office and make it more user-friendly, but no real policy changes have been made that I can remember that would put the post office on a more level playing field. So maybe lawmakers want it to fail so that they can say "See? Government can't run anything!".
Many of the people in government, ironically, say that government can't do anything. Then what are you doing there? You're obviously not making it better. Right? If the government could efficiently run a business, it would mean fewer taxes being collected. However, government-run programs are non-profit.
Which leads to health care - one of the reasons the "tea party" rallies began. The economic bailouts and health care reform are two major reasons people started feeling like the government is spinning out of control with their spending and control over the masses. But is health care a product? If health care is a product, why isn't national security? Or roads? Or parks? Or emergency services? Would you support a system that only allowed emergency services for those that can afford it? Would you support a system that only allowed roads for people that can afford it? Why would we allow a system that allows for quality health care only for people that can afford it? What if it costs everyone some money?
The idea that government is a monopoly is only partially true. The fact is, there is a large group that oversees everything the government does - the people. When the people are weary and tired, apathetic, jaded, lazy, uninterested and bored, that's when government spins out of control.
While I may not agree with the name "tea party", and I may not agree with many of the comments I've heard and read coming out of the mouths of "tea party" members, I can agree with standing up. But standing up doesn't mean being loud. Standing up means being effective.
In my opinion.
Comments?
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http://www.facebook.com/midwestopinions Josh's Post State of the Union Address Comments
Thursday 01-28-2010 1:55pm MT
Watching last night's State of the Union Address, I kept asking myself if people, before mass media, felt the same way I did - cynical and weary. Growing up, I heard many phrases that struck people deeply, that motivated people, that are etched in history:
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy
"A house divided against itself, cannot stand." - Abraham Lincoln
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." - George Washington
"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both." - Dwight Eisenhower
Was it wrong for me to sit and watch the last few years' worth of State of the Union Addresses, Inaugural Speeches, campaign speeches, and the like, waiting for words that would move me? Is it wrong for me to be so cynical in a time of such strife, and continue to look to others for inspiration? Does this mean I should be running for office? Where is the nobility?
I've always held this fantastic image in my mind of great people of the past, like the ones mentioned above (and many more). They were never caught in an uncomfortable situation. They were never caught picking their nose or caught with their fly down. These were super-human figures that were "sent" to this world to do their job - change lives for the better, make a positive impact, inspire. Where are they now? Will future generations look back at President Clinton, President George W. Bush, President Obama, and draw some of the same fantastic images in their mind? Or will these PEOPLE be destined to be hated by many, loved by many, and forgotten by most?
Through the rhetoric of President Obama's speech, and the "same ol', same ol'", I did notice many blossoming qualities - words that resonated with me and stuck in my head:
"We were sent here to serve our citizens, not our ambitions." - Barack Obama
"But remember this – I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone." - Barack Obama
"For America must always stand on the side of freedom and human dignity." - Barack Obama
"And what the American people hope – what they deserve – is for all of us, Democrats and Republicans, to work through our differences; to overcome the numbing weight of our politics." - Barack Obama
"In this new decade, it’s time the American people get a government that matches their decency; that embodies their strength." - Barack Obama
Should these words not inspire me and motivate me? Are these words not noble? Maybe it is because I consume information daily and hear this man speak often. Maybe it is because I have nearly given up on a system that was built on an experimental foundation that now reeks of corruption, indecency and money.
I love my country. I will forever love my country. I have also, however, loved other humans that I could not support and could not follow on their downward spiral. Maybe this is the problem. Following. Maybe it is time to stop following and to instead lead. Maybe leadership must take on more than a fantastic facade - maybe it should be real and "regular". Maybe our leaders deserve more respect and more criticism all at once - for criticism is not synonymous with disrespect. Empty criticism is. But criticism that means something, criticism that isn't a shallow finger-pointing, is one of the highest forms of respect because it allows the recipient to see and/or experience what others are seeing and/or experiencing in their presence.
So, shall we continue the "us and them" water cooler talks? Shall we continue to look to others to lead us out of the abyss? Or will "we" have the courage and conviction to stand up and be accounted for?
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Intentions
Wednesday 09-09-2009 1:21pm MT
Intentions.
So very important, yet so very unimportant.
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as "a determination to act in a certain way", among other things. We, as people, often use the word in a series of contexts:
"What are your intentions with my daughter?"
"Do you intend to complete your chores?"
"Oh no, I intended to get that done before I left today."
"My intentions were not to hurt you or offend you."
The latter may be one of my biggest downfalls. For much of my adult life, I have been called conceited, egotistical, uncaring, cold, naive, among other things. No, those aren't the only things I've been called, but dealing with the subject of intentions, those are the ones that relate to the topic (people say good things about me, too, but hang in there with me on this). I find it discouraging that people think those things of me. I don't see those things in myself. Conceited? If only people knew how hard I am on myself. Egotistical? Can you be egotistical and timid at the same time? Uncaring? People may never know how much my heart hurts at any given time for any number of reasons. Naive? Okay. I'll give you that one. I am naive. I work to educate myself. I work to make myself a better person, but I am still naive, and may be for the entirety of my time on this planet. That, however, will not stop me from learning. However, the one thing that can really affect how people see me and what they think of me is how they view intentions.
I've had a horrible time with intentions. When I'm passionate about something (whether the issue at hand or the argument at hand), my intention of making clear that my words and my opinions are simply that - my words and my opinion. I do believe that standing strong with your ideals is a good thing... sometimes. I also believe that changing your mind or view based on new evidence or newly obtained perspective is a sign of strength. There are very few opinions I have that can not be changed if new evidence and/or perspective is generated. I do not see it as weakness when something new changes opinion. If someone had stood strong with their view that the world was earth, even after the proof shown the world is spherical, that would seem like a weakness to me. However, when I offer my opinion or view, many times it comes across like I'm saying this is the right way, or this is fact, or this is how everyone needs to see it. I've listened to the tapes (which I didn't have from my "real" life, so working in radio has really helped me to see how other people see me). I understand why people think that. That is not my intention. My intention is to debate a point, to make people think, to spark thought/emotion/discussion, etc.
But this is where intentions don't matter. I can intend, intend and intend to do the right thing, to convey my thoughts and feelings properly, to be respectful, but if my words and inflection don't convey those intentions... well... the intentions don't mean a thing.
I believe having good intentions is important. However, I believe intentions are as dynamic and open-to-translation as the words and opinions themselves.
I do have the intention of being much more aware of what intentions I'm conveying. I do have the intention of continuing to be passionate about some things while conveying my opinion in a respectful way. I do have the intention of growing and learning, and being better.
What are your intentions?
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EMAIL MIDWEST OPINIONS One Man's Healthcare Opinion
Sunday 08-02-2009 9:23am MT
I do not want to enlighten anyone in this post, nor do I want to change anyone's mind or give someone a reason to think what they think. I simply want to write out my opinions and ask for your feedback on the issue and my opinions of the issue.
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There is a lot of talk, obviously, about healthcare. Not only in the U.S., but around the world. Healthcare is something that is, and will always be, a polarizing and important topic of discussion and focus of action. I think, due to the polarization and high level of importance, the facts get lost in the mud-slinging. The truth of why we're talking about it and why it's so important gets buried underneath accusations, myths, extreme ideas and words, labeling, finger-pointing and eventually all-out battle. I'd like to say first that I think a solution is attainable and I think it's going to take everyone. The more divided we remain on this and other polarizing issues, the less we'll get done. Sometimes you have to concede a little and do something that you don't necessarily agree with or completely support in order to find different solutions. Some of the most important inventions and ideas in history came from a mistake or an unintended consequence of a completely different idea. I think it's time for less fear and more gusto.
Watching documentaries from both extreme sides, some documentaries in the middle of the issue, listening to perspectives from so many different cases - I am more confused about the issue than I've ever been. An opinion was easy to form when I THOUGHT I knew how I felt about it. The more information I receive and perspectives I am exposed to, the less I know about how I feel about it, meaning the feeling changes.
I don't think putting healthcare completely in the hands of government is the way to go. During a recent conversation, I explained that sometimes government needs to step in to make sure the "kids are playing nice on the playground" (the "kids" being capitalists, the "playground" being capitalism). If left to our own devices, many times the human psyche will fail. Accountability is one thing that can make honest men and women of a large portion of our race. Right now, healthcare has very little actual accountability. Doctors aren't always required to disclose how much they charge for services, even simple office visits. The reason they aren't required to disclose that information is because many people don't care how much it is, especially if insurance is going to pay for it. The people that have to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare are more likely to "shop around" or at least investigate what someone charges and what those charges include. This type of accountability is good, in my opinion. So having "free" healthcare, isn't the way to go, in my mind.
Insurance companies take money for certain coverage. They take this money from all their clients and put it into a pool. Then, when one of their clients needs healthcare, they dip into that pool and pay for at least part of the procedure. Usually. Well, sometimes. Often, the money that is put into that pool is used to "gamble" on Wall Street. They take that money and buy stocks and bonds, or they find some other way to "invest" the money so it can make them more money. So they can provide more coverage, right? Wrong. That money is sometimes used for inflated salaries unnecessary expenditures. And who knows how much of it is used for something other than coverage. This, to me, is where the system is most flawed. We have great researchers, we have great doctors, we have great healthcare facilities... The list goes on. But getting access to those great things is difficult to impossible for many. If you don't work and you don't have much to your name, you can get basic healthcare in the form of Medicaid. If you work hard at a low-paying or medium-paying job and you have a lot of expenditures, finding affordable healthcare coverage is nearly impossible. If you're well-off and have lots of money, healthcare coverage is easy to come by. Why the discrepancy? Isn't there a way to make sure everyone has access and that doctors and clinics continue to compete?
Health Savings Accounts have become really popular in recent years. I think the idea is a good one, the execution may still be a little flawed, but I think the idea is good. Part of the money you pay into your insurance, is pooled for your personal use. It's a savings account set aside for health care such as physicals, colds, the flu, etc. The rest of the money you pay in, goes into the "big pool" that is used for higher-importance/risk procedures. Some HSA's are a small supplement to regular insurance policies, and you only get to keep the money pooled in it for a calendar year. If you don't use that money in the year, it's gone. I think that's a failure. It should be pooled and remain there.
Overall, I think accountability and transparency are two things that could go a long way to fixing our healthcare system. If doctors, clinics and pharmacies have to disclose, up front, how much procedures and medicines cost, people will become more savvy in purchasing healthcare (not health insurance). They would shop around, create competition and force those entities into creating superior care at customer service, just like many successful businesses do/have done in order to be successful. The problem is, when one gets big enough, they make their own rules. That's when government (and the people) needs to step in and hold that company/doctor/pharmacy accountable. Insurance companies should be required to release the numbers showing how much money they have for client use (the big pool). The government should have a workable plan in place to use for the people that are between Medicaid and affording their own insurance comfortably. Insurance should not be tied to employment, it should be tied to the individual. People should be able to pick what insurance they have, what is covered, what is not and what doctors they see. It should not be tied to an employer, in my opinion.
All of this would require increased responsibility for the average citizen. People would be required to actually research doctors, clinics, insurance companies, government plans and pharmaceutical companies. How many people know that much about any of those things? Probably only the people that have had to go through all of those entities for a major procedure.
Once again, it seems to me individual responsibility, with a little push by the government and good companies, is needed.
What do you think?
Josh's Email
Midwest Opinion's Email Happy Birthday America!
Friday 07-03-2009 6:26pm MT
Despite valiant attempts by text books and history teachers during our school years, I don't think a lot of people really understand the "true stories" behind our country's birth, and the creation of the document that changed everything. With so much information available to us, I think it's important to research and strive to understand all of the things that went into the creation of the Declaration of Independence, as well as the people that were involved in drafting it. These were men with families. Men with hopes and dreams. Fear. Courage. Progressive thought. Insight. And a desire to live in a better society.
While I do not intend this blog post to be a history lesson, I do want to offer some facts that may just inspire you to look further into the beginning of this great country. I think we often lose parts of our history, which can then cloud our view of the country and what this "experiment" is all about.
Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, was the only southerner in the "Committee of Five", which was appointed to draft a statement presenting to the world the colonies' case for independence. John Adams of Massachusetts and Roger Sherman of Connecticut represented New England while Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York represented the Middle Colonies.
Later in Jefferson's life, he wrote that the other members of the committee "unanimously pressed on myself alone to undertake the draught. I consented; I drew it; but before I reported it to the committee I communicated it separately to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Adams requesting their corrections." Between the three, they revised the original and came up with a working draft.
On July 1, 1776, Congress reconvened and the following day the Lee Resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies. New York did not vote. Immediately after that adoption, Congress began to consider the Declaration. The discussion in Congress resulted in some changes, but the basic document remained Jefferson's version. The process of revision and discussion continued through all of July 3rd and into the late morning of July 4th. Then, just before lunch on July 4th, 1776, church bells rang out over Philadelphia signalling the Declaration of Independence had officially been adopted.
Though the Declaration had been adopted, the committee was directed by Congress to supervise the printing of the adopted document. The first copies were turned out from the shop of John Dunlap, official printer to Congress. On the morning of July 5th, copies were handed to members of Congress who distributed them to various committees and assemblies, and to the commanders of Continental troops. Later that day, a copy of the printed version of the approved Declaration was inserted into the "rough journal" of the Continental Congress for July 4. While there are 24 copies known to exist, it is not known how many copies were actually made.
Interesting facts surrounding the Declaration of Independence:
"-A hand-print appears on the bottom left corner of the document. The origins and circumstances of the hand-print are not known. The document was handled, rolled, and traveled about and exhibited extensively in its early life. Attempting to clean the hand-print and other soil that has worked into the parchment could damage the fragile document."
"-If you were a member of the Second Continental Congress in 1776, you were a rebel and considered a traitor by the King of England. You knew that a reward had been posted for the capture of certain prominent rebel leaders and signing your name to the Declaration meant that you pledged your life, your fortune, and your sacred honor to the cause of freedom."
"-John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both members of the Committee of Five, died on the same day - July 4th, 1826."
*information provided by THE U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.I invite you to look into the details a little further. There are so many interesting things that we just don't know and don't understand, that may provide new perspective when looking at this great country.
On a final note, the people that sacrifice so much to make sure I can write this blog, search the internet for information, and voice my opinion on the airwaves, are truly amazing individuals. If you are one of those people, I say "thank you". You are truly appreciated and hopefully my words, here and elsewhere, reflect my appreciation for you. I get a lump in my throat every time I ask for a moment of silence to honor our service men and women, past, present and future. I am overwhelmed with pride and honor when thinking about the decisions made by a few that affect many.
Happy birthday, United State of America! I love you. It's Been a While...
Friday 05-15-2009 5:02pm MT
As some of you know, it has been crazy busy around here and I've hardly had time to eat and sleep, let alone blog. The thing is, there's a lot to talk about but for whatever reason, the process that turns thoughts and feelings into words and eventually into keystrokes... Well... it seems to be a little broken. For the life of me, I haven't been able to articulate what I'm thinking very well.
For example, this morning on Midwest Opinions, we were talking briefly about Guantanamo Bay. Senator Mike Johanns is there today to "see first hand" what's going on down there. We obviously started speaking about what's going to happen when they close the prison and what's going to happen to the detainees. Many believe they will be put into American prisons. I know a lot of people think they shouldn't be put into our judicial system because then they will have certain rights, certain groups like the ACLU can get involved, etc. I understand those concerns. Truth is, though, we have some seriously evil terrorists already in our prison system. It could be argued that we have some pretty serious terrorists in high-ranking positions in various parts of our government, too. I mentioned the scenario - would it be so bad to have some of those detainees actually go through our legal system, trial and all? NatGeo did a documentary on Guantanamo Bay a while back. In the documentary, they interviewed some former detainees. One was from England and had no ties to any terrorist groups (at least that's what he claimed). I mentioned that I wonder if it would be such a bad thing for some of those detainees to go to trial and have evidence presented (not that I believe everyone that's guilty gets charged and every that's innocent gets freed). A caller asked me - what if he was involved in terrorism or affiliated with a terrorist group. Then I said, "Okay, give him the benefit of the doubt." The caller said, "why don't we give American the benefit of the doubt for once?"
Wow. I'm sorry, but I think it is a cop-out. I think being able to look at a situation and answer the "what-if" is important. Needless to say, John cut the conversation off, let the caller go and moved on to a different topic. I have to admit, I was slightly offended by what he said. He implied that I don't give America the benefit of the doubt. Interesting. No one really knows how much I love America besides maybe a few people. Regardless, it has nothing to do with the conversation. I asked a question that the caller couldn't or didn't want to answer, and it went to a personal attack rather than an intelligent answer. Shucks. But this seems to be the norm these days when discussing divisive issues. Debate is not desired, it seems. It seems to me that the desire is to have others conform to one's own perspective.
But... What do you think?
joshuamackey@clearchannel.com
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