Lots of chatter in past day or so about that venerable old lady - the Statue of Liberty.
A quick refresher on the history of the Statue for those who may not know.
The Statue of Liberty was first conceived in France in the middle of the 19th century as a tribute to freedom and the long-standing relationship between France and the United States. The monument was suggested by French historian Édouard René de Laboulaye as a gift to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American independence and to represent common democratic values. In order to realize this idea, the sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to create a massive sculpture that symbolized the Roman goddess of freedom, Libertas. Over time, the statue also became a powerful symbol of immigration, welcoming millions of newcomers arriving in America.
Designing the Statue of Liberty involved creating a powerful and universally recognized symbol of freedom and hope. If you’re wondering what’s the history behind the Statue of Liberty, sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi combined classical inspiration with innovative engineering to craft a monumental figure that would inspire people worldwide. Its design reflects ideals of liberty, enlightenment, and welcome, making it a timeless icon of democracy.
The Statue of Lbierty was dedicated in New York Harbor on October 28, 1886.
And lest we forget, here is the end of the inscription that has greeted generations of soon-to-be new citizens coming to the U.S. with only hope and dreams: “…Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Enter the Trump Administration. In defending their efforts to bulldoze the East Wing of the White House for a ballroom, DOJ’s Trump-controlled attorneys made an incredible argument. From Politico:
Trump could also tear down the Statue of Liberty, DOJ argues in defense of White House ballroom
Justice Department lawyers said the courts are powerless to intervene in the dispute over the former East Wing.
The White House, including the West Wing and construction of the new ballroom, is seen on Feb. 25. | Tom Brenner/AP
Bolding emphasis mine:
A federal appeals court panel expressed skepticism Friday about the Trump administration’s view that courts are powerless to stop the construction of the White House ballroom now that the East Wing had been demolished.
Two members of a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit repeatedly pressed administration lawyers about its argument that President Donald Trump’s pet project — now well underway — could not be stopped by the courts even if it was found to be illegal, because it was too far along and involved significant national security interests.
“When did it become a fait accompli?” Judge Patricia Millett asked. “If this were complete lawlessness by the government … it couldn’t be stopped?”
“On these theories, I think that’s right,” replied Yaakov Roth, a Justice Department attorney.
Millett, an Obama appointee, peppered Roth with questions about the extent of the Trump administration’s view of its power to “move fast and break things” without being subject to legal challenge.
“If the government decides, very quickly, to bulldoze the Statue of Liberty — the people whose ancestors that was the first thing they saw coming to this country, but the government moved too fast — nothing can be done?” the judge asked.
“I think that’s right, yes,” Roth responded.
Yep. Not even the Statue of Liberty is safe from the all-powerful Trump Presidency. In his sole discretion - or just based on his whim - Trump has the right - even if it’s illegal - to tear down the Lady Holding the Torch.
From a political perspective, this is a “go for the jugular” moment. In military parlance, it’s an opportunity for the “kill shot”. If ever there was a time for Democrats to speak with one simple massage, this is it. “No Kings, No Corruption.” Remind the American people that in the shadow of the Status of Liberty, from 1892 through 1954, over 12 million immigrants - over 100 nationalities including from Ireland, Germany, Britain, Scandinavia ,Italy, Poland, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, and more - passed through Ellis Island, most carrying with them only hope and dreams of a better life in the country known for freedom and acceptance. The daily diversity of arriving cultures was stunning. Included among them were my great grandparents, who came from Germany/Austria and Russia.
NOTE: With a population of around 75 million in 1900, these immigrants represented about 16% of the entire population of the United States.
For years, the U.S had the highest standard of living in the world because of the hardworking immigrants with dreams of a better life passing under the Statue of Liberty. Not despite it. Corruption will destroy that.
Acting like a King who is answerable to no one but himself is… corruption.
Holding the Statue of Liberty hostage to the whims of one person is… corruption.
We fought a revolution to rid ourselves of such grandiose abuse of power.
Democrats should take ownership of the Statue of Liberty. Feature it in their videos and media. Accuse Trump and complicit Republicans of holding it hostage to the whims of a mad wannabe King. Connect it to the ballroom, arch and other corrupt delusions of grandeur that cost millions while Americans can’t get affordable healthcare or housing. MAKE THEM PLAY DEFENSE!
Reframe the question and the absurdity of this proposition becomes even more clear. If you hire someone to administer your estate, can they burn down the buildings on your estate or chop it up into parcels and sell it off? Presumably not. You hired them to run it, not to destroy it or sell it. It’s not theirs. They were hired for a specific task. That person is your employee. The president is hired to administer the country and enforce it’s laws for four years. He doesn’t own the country or its properties.
These absurdities are just the degenerate spawn of the corrupt and ahistorical “unitary executive” theory of presidential power, a whole concept totally alien to the people who created the presidency and one whose main intellectual roots go back to a Nazi ideologue. It’s the guiding theory of the Roberts Court, except of course when the president is a Democrat. Corrupt theory in, degenerate spawn outcomes out. That’s just how it works.
Finally, in a seemingly unrelated but actually totally related occurrence, on the same day, Secretary of Defense (it is still legally called that) Pete Hegseth decided that scores of religions are not worthy being recognized by the U.S. Military.
The “white” washing of our country is moving forward full throttle. The erasing of our willingness to welcome the world to create a “more perfect union” is a key goal of the current white nationalist administration.
Maybe this is a bad analogy, but let’s figuratively hang a noose around their cowardly little necks. Its time to go for the jugular…
