Friend

Tomorrow night two of my younger associates will be presenting the Thanksgiving proclamations of two great American presidents, both of whom were assassinated by assets of the British Empire; Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. In these trying times, where reason and moderation have disappeared, to be replaced by lawlessness and bloodshed in Gaza, Cameroon, Ukraine, Haiti and elsewhere it can be challenging to think of what we should be thankful for.? Is it right to be thankful for the roof over our own heads, when so many lack shelter, or for the food on our tables when so many are starving? Is that humilty or is it selfish small-mindedness? Both Lincoln and Kennedy answered that question in their Thanksgiving Proclamations -- Kennedy wouldn't live to see the day for which his profound text was dedicated.

I would like to share something from an important thinker whose work shaped the conception of our new republic, and who had a great influence on the mind of a young Lyndon Larouche, namely Gottfried Wilelhm Leibniz.? I quote below from the Preface of his 1710 "Theodicy."

"One directs all one's intentions to the common good, which is no other than the glory of God. Thus one finds that there is no greater individual interest than to espouse that of the community, and one gains satisfaction for oneself by taking pleasure in the acquisition of true benefits for men....When we are in this state of mind, we are not disheartened by ill success, we regret only our faults; and the ungrateful ways of men cause no relaxation in the exercise of our kindly disposition. Our charity is humble and full of moderation, it presumes not to domineer; attentive alike to our own faults and to the talents of others, we are inclined to criticize our own actions, and vindicate those of others. We must work out our own perfection and do no wrong to man. There is no piety where there is not charity; and without being kindly and beneficent one cannot show sincere religion."

I am thankful to be a citizen of the United States, which was founded on that principle, even though the actions of our nation have not reflected it for many decades, and even then, imperfectly.? Each of us has the gift of free will, and with it the power to change the course of history for the greater good of all.? Therefore, let us be thankful that the dangers we face are not insurmountable, if we mobilize ourselves to defeat them.

NY Symposium, Friday, November 24, 8:00 pm: Thanksgiving: "A Republic if You Can Keep It"

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--Diane

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