By Christopher G. Adamo

It is at this time of the year that some sentimental Americans reflect on the greatness of the Founding Fathers. Albeit, in the face of “political Correctness,” the “pop culture” mindset, and a government school system that has abandoned American history, the numbers who ponder such topics are shrinking.

Nevertheless, several profound essays have been written on the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and their fates in the wake of that momentous occasion. It is worthwhile to consider just a few from among those perhaps greatest of Americans, how their examples spoke to the nation at its inception, and what an abandonment of their ideals might portend for its future.

Caesar Rodney of Delaware, suffering from cancer and planning a voyage to England to seek care from the only doctor in the world with a proven expertise in treating his condition, nonetheless rode through the night from Delaware to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote in favor of independence.

Fully aware that this act was considered treason to the Crown, and that in so doing he could no longer make the trip abroad, he strode bravely forward among his fellow delegates and signed the warrant of his own death.

Thomas Nelson, another signer, proved his dedication while later serving as an officer in the Colonial Army. Upon learning that British officers were using his own residence as a command post, and that his troops had deliberately refrained from targeting it out of respect for him, he ordered them to fire upon it and destroy it.

Fearing that the nation would eventually become slothful and self-absorbed in its material prosperity, Thomas Jefferson once grimly stated, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Fortunately, American technical prowess and the resulting nature of modern warfare have enabled America to prevail militarily with minimal bloodshed.

In his May 30 column, Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe tells the story of Rafael Peralta, an American and a proud Marine. Though suffering with multiple bullet wounds from a surprise insurgent attack in Fallujah, he managed to grab an armed grenade and clutch it to himself before it detonated, thus saving his fellow Marines in the room.

Peralta’s heroism and character are a far cry from those wandering adolescent apparitions, so prevalent in America’s shopping malls, whose only awareness of such concepts as “mortal combat” and valor might be gleaned from the orchestrated antics at the nearest renaissance fair. Yet it is inarguable that the latter group represents much of the “character” of modern America.

Those who are directly involved in present-day conflicts indeed make immense sacrifices, sometimes including that of their own lives. But among much of the rest of America, Jefferson’s insights are being borne out with bleak accuracy.

Far too many of America’s most prominent political figures jump on any political bandwagon or hastily retreat from any and every principle, motivated only by a desire to remain in the good graces of the “mainstream media.” And the nature of that media is itself overwhelmingly shallow, petty, juvenile and consequently, liberal.

Modern counterparts of the Founders are rare. But certainly they do not exist among the ranks of such self-serving “heroes” as Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein or Dan Rather, whose selective concerns over political corruption amounts to little more than hypocrisy.

That a cabal of the liberal media and career politicians could yet remain so highly influential in the affairs of the country speaks not to its own strength, but rather to the ignorance and weakness of character of those who should be opposing it.

Worse yet, the nation instead preoccupies itself with other perverse and insipid distractions. Irrespective of any interpretations of the Michael Jackson verdict, America has cause to worry. Whether for his dubious entertainment, or on account of his possibly predatory recreational preferences, the significance placed on the Jackson case reflects poorly on the nation’s priorities.

September 11, 2001 should have awakened America to the harsh realities of life, and the need to reassess its priorities for the sake of its future. That the country has not since been directly attacked is at once a testament to the greatness of those sworn to protect it, and an excuse for the lazy and shallow to return to their shortsighted ways.

Yet, whether prompted by their indifference or the hope of political gain, all who do so are begging America’s enemies to strike once again.