On September 23, 1779, American Naval Captain, John Paul Jones fought one of the bloodiest engagements in American naval history. Jones struggled against the 44-gun Royal Navy frigate Serapis. As the battle raged and as Jones own Flagship was burning and sinking there came to Jones a demand from the Captain of the English Serapis to surrender. Jones, reading the demand replied and said “no” by uttering the now immortal words, “I have not yet begun to fight.”
More than three hours later, the Serapis surrendered and Jones took command.
During the ratification process of the US Constitution it became clear that the Constitution could not be ratified without a series of amendments that would clearly articulate one no after another no as to what the US Government would not be allowed to do. These amendments, demanded by the anti-Federalists, became known as the “Bill of Rights.” The “Bill of Rights” is a classic American exercise in saying, “no”. As you read the Bill of Rights count how many times the word “no” or “not” or “nor” is penned.
“In late September 1835 the order went out from the President of Mexico, Santa Anna, for the recovery of a canon that had been loaned to the citizens of Gonzales Texas. The Mexican officer charged with collecting the canon was told “no, you cannot have the cannon” by one Joseph Clements of Gonzales. Two women of Gonzalez decided to memorialize regidore Clements’ famous no with a flag sewn from a wedding dress. Sarah Seely and Eveline DeWitt stitched the dress into a white flag which bore a black star, and a cannon, with four words that simplified and embellished Clements’ “no”. Those four words were “COME AND TAKE IT.”
In World War II Germany was down to a last gasp offensive that came to be known as the “Battle of the Bulge.” In the small town of Bastogne the 101st US Airborne, having just arrived to hold a vital cross-roads connected w/ Bastogne that the Germans desperately needed, was soon overwhelmed with superior German numbers. The Americans had few supplies and hardly any tanks or vehicles. If the 101st fell the Germans would achieve breakout w/ the result of second life for the Nazi’s. The German commander demanded that commanding officer General McAuliffe surrender. McAuliffe returned a one word no reply simply saying, Nuts.
America has a long and storied history of saying “no.” Today there is a desperate necessity for key Americans to once again rekindle the patriotic “no”. Today Congress is meeting w/ President Obama to discuss Obama’s Marxist Death Care. Today Republicans need to take up the Mantle of John Paul Jones, the anti-federalists, The citizens of Gonzales, and General Anthony McAuliffe and tell the enemy “no.”
They need not fear being labeled the “Party of no,” for such a intended epitaph is what every rebellious child would hurl at a responsible adult for not allowing the Child to play with what would kill him if the Parent allowed them to have what they want. Instead, Republicans should glory in being called the party of “no.”
Oh that Republican would say today,
“Hell no, we will not allow you to implement socialized medicine. Hell no, we can’t afford this proposed death fiasco. Hell no, we don’t care if you throw a temper tantrum and threaten reconciliation. When it comes to dumb arse Marxist ideas we are proud to embrace the long and storied history of the American no.”
If I were a political consultant right now I would be telling candidates that they need to run in 2010 as being proud members of the coalition of “No.” Run commercials where the Democratic opponent is seen speaking in favor of Marxist Death Care, Cap and Trade, amnesty for illegal immigrants and the stimulus fund. Then simply run a message that says, “My name is _________ and I said ‘no’ to the decline of America.”
Congressmen … just tell Obama and the Democrats …. “No.”
