America Needs Absolutes

American All Call

By Sam Frescoe, Veteran’s Recall
samfrescoe@gmail.com

http://veterans-recall.blogspot.com/

It started with a comment on an article published by Al Jazeera – America concerning a presidential candidate’s view on abortion. I couldn’t resist. Well, I didn’t really try. I scrolled to the comments area and wrote fifteen words arranged in two sentences.

I simply offered my opinion, nothing more. I challenged no one. I took aim at no one. I insulted no one. In a matter of seconds, not minutes, seconds, there was a response. The exchange is below. (I changed the names to protect the participants.)

Sam Frescoe: An American's life is sacred. No one has the right to do what is wrong.

Woman-1: When a fetus is born, THEN it is a baby...... until then my body, my choice. Don't like it, don't do it. I don't care.

Man-1: WRONG there is a father involved your body or not the decision should be part his....

Woman-1: Sorry Man-1...nope....not in the least. My body, my choice. Not my fault you can't carry and birth a child. But I can ... and it would be when I want to... men have no say. If you will be upset if a woman has an abortion, then keep your pants zipped... because I hate to tell you... you are not in charge.

Sam Frescoe: Woman-1 - Where is your line between right and wrong?

Woman-1: I think everything is perception. There is no right and wrong in the universe. There are only laws that groups of people decided among themselves what is allowed to be a member of that group. From that grows the ideas of right and wrong. Usually when compassionate through using one's intellect to understand that we are all humans, it usually comes down.... to the old 'do unto others' philosophy. So since I am a member of this tribe, I, too, go along with the do unto others. So the basics, of course. The 'big' ones being not hurting or harming others. Other than that, I think everyone has a different set of rights and wrongs.

Wow! Why so hostile?

Questions

When is an American life established, or a human life established?

If it is a fetus until born, then why convict citizens for double homicide when a pregnant woman is the victim?

If you have rights, and the fetus is attached to you (before, during, and after birth), then why does that same fetus have no rights?

If the man has no rights, and the result of your interaction has no rights, then how do you have any rights?

If the woman is the sole keeper of all rights, then why place the burden of restraint solely on the man? After all, if the man has no rights, then how can the man be held accountable?

If you, as the woman, are in charge exclusive of the man, then how are you not responsible for the results of your interactions?

If the law serves as the measure of right and wrong, then are you willing to change as the law changes, no questions asked? If no, then why place your trust in the law?

If everything is perception (meaning there is no right and wrong), then how can a majority rule be of value? Why the passionate defense? Why not embrace what you describe, anarchy?

If you subscribe to the “do unto others” philosophy, and the others decide you are not a human being (just as a fetus is not a human being), then what remedy is available to protect you from the others?

Think About It

If there is no right or wrong, then there would be no need to discuss anything in such terms. If this condition were true, then everything under the sun would simply be as it is, when it is, and nothing more. However, we know that is not true. Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors have a measure of inherent value because they can transcend time and circumstance. They transcend time and circumstance because we, human beings, transcend time and circumstance. Therefore, we are inherently valuable beings. I acknowledge that this is an over simplification, but the root of the case remains the same. Human beings have inherent value because they exist. This is an absolute truth and why I can say the following with confidence.

Moral: An American’s life is sacred. – No one may kill another person without cause. If a heartbeat, then a life.

Moral: No one has the right to do what is wrong.

Honor: I will seek what is right, do what is right, and stand by those who do right.

Values: America values doing what is good, not doing what feels good.

Following Up

To Woman-1, I believe your reasoning to be divergent and your logic flawed.

First, if your claim that everything is perception, meaning there is “no right and wrong,” then how can you definitively act according to your faith in the law? If there are no transcendent absolutes, then the law is of no value beyond the immediate circumstance. In other words, the law cannot recognize the inherent value of you, or anyone else. Your claim, that moral value is found in the law; therefore, the law is always moral, is false. Why? Because when the law places conditions on the value of human existence, then your human existence is also subject to conditions. It is clear from your statements that you value your existence.

Second, if your faith in the law requires the law to act as the moral giver, then what is the remedy for when the law degrades your essence (the value of your existence)? Are you really willing to subordinate your life, or the life of another, to the decisions of those that make the law? Before you answer, I invite you to consider the following: this Congress is 80% white, 80% male and 92% Christian.

Third, if everything is perception, then you have said nothing that can be understood. Perceptions are subjective, not objective. For example, you perceive that there is no right and wrong, but I objectively observe that you qualify the understanding of being human with “usually” and “compassionate” and “intellect”.

Finally, if your recognition of “not hurting or harming others” is a division of right and wrong (one of the “big ones”), then how do you justify actions that can hurt or harm the man, the fetus, the baby, your relationships, and yourself?

Going Forward

If everything is perception, then how can you be sure of anything? If you are unsure of anything, then how do you keep from falling for everything? If you fall for everything, then how evil must you be before you’ve gone too far?

Why should you buy what I am selling? I am asking you to buy-in because each you reading this post have an inherent value based solely upon the fact that you exist. I know this to be absolutely true. In combat I was expected to know when to kill and when not to kill. It was the difference between valor and murder. If human beings did not have inherent worth, then there would be neither.

Why is this important for The People to understand in a deeply personal way?

It’s important because the American way of life demands nothing less. The United States is a representative republic, ruled by law, according to the consent of The People. This means that it is up to The People to get it right because we all know there is a wrong.