Old Ironsides!

Thursday – October 21, 2010

Old Ironsides!

On todays date, in 1797, the U.S. frigate Constitution, “Old Ironsides” was launched in Boston, Massachusetts. Yesterday, I wrote about the perspective that our enemies view us from. When Old Ironsides was commissioned, the world perspective of the United States was one of great awe and one of great strength that would become stronger because of the system of government that we fought a revolution for.

The U.S.S. Constitution, named by President George Washington--called "Old Ironsides" because cannonballs could not penetrate her tough oak sides--was one of the first of the original six frigates that made up the U.S. Navy. A 44-gun frigate built at the Edmond Hartt Shipyard, Boston, MA, in 1797. Her dimensions are 53,34x13,26x6,0 (d) m [175'0x43'6"x16'7"] and with a displacement of 2000 tons., the ship carried a crew of more than 450. The ship served in the undeclared naval war with France (1798-1800) was the Flagship in the, Mediterranean squadron, in the Tripolitan War (1801-05). In the War of 1812 the Constitution won battles with the British frigates Guerriere and Java; the former battle took place about 1,200 km (750 mi) east of Boston on Aug. 19, 1812, and the latter off the coast of Brazil on Dec. 29, 1812. The Constitution made its last combat tour in 1814-15. The ship was scheduled to be scrapped in 1830, but Oliver Wendell Holmes's poem "Old Ironsides" inspired a public movement to save it. Restored in 1925, the Constitution is now the oldest commissioned vessel in the U.S. Navy.

This election season is about restoration of a country that was created not to perish. This election season is about a ship that represents that strength and that is still a commissioned vessel. This election season is about the ship of state that will once again become strong and able to repel evil and repel the politician that has brought looming deficits not only in spirit but in our wealth. This election will start the process of restoration that Old Ironsides saw at the beginning of the last century.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most likely voters think their representatives in Congress do not deserve reelection if he or she voted for the national care law, the auto bailouts or the $787 – billion economic stimulus plan.

Those votes also appear to be the driving factors in the GOP’s consistent lead over Democrats on the generic Congressional ballot.

Forty three percent of all likely voters say someone who voted for the healthcare law deserves to be reelected. Fifty percent oppose their reelection.

Thirty six percent say, if their local representative voted for the taxpayer bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler, he or she deserves to be returned to Congress. Fifty three percent say that person does not deserve reelection.

Similarly, forty one percent say their representative in Congress should be reelected if he or she voted for the stimulus plan, but fifty percent don’t see it that way and say the individual should not be reelected.

The partisan divide is predictable, since virtually no Congressional Republicans voted for any of these measures. So Democratic voters overwhelmingly think those in Congress who voted for these measures should be reelected, while Republicans feel just as strongly that they should not be reelected.

But, tellingly, voters not affiliated with either party, also feel strongly that supporters of the healthcare law, the auto bailouts and the stimulus should not be returned to Congress.

This poll also tells a story of strength in the American people and in our system. It tells the story of a frigate that once sailed and conquered all adversity. It tells a story that every now and then needs to be told again.

If our government is once again given back to the people we will have fulfilled the plan and the destiny of what our forefathers intended. When our government is returned to the people the world will feel a cool calm breeze and see a ship that is ready once again to sail on the waters of prosperity and bring freedom in its wake.

When Old Ironsides was built, the nation believed in elevating people through strength of ownership and wealth. When Old Ironsides was scheduled for deconstruction and ruin, the country was in the beginning of depression. This country since then has never gone without, but now it is and that is what this election is all about. It is about restoration and elevating those that see a way clear from the ruin of those who voted to sink the ship of state.

This country of ours, along with Old Ironsides, has freed millions. For over two plus centuries, our country has brought democracy and Independence to millions of the world’s inhabitants. For over two plus centuries, our country has kept the world free and safe. We cannot let the world down in this election. The reason why we are free is we have a chance every two years to either reverse or move ahead. This election is about reversing and moving ahead with freedom and not tyranny. The reason why we are free and are able to set an example for the rest of the world is that we can reverse the direction of our leaders and replace them.

Gregory C. Dildilian
Founder and Executive Director
Pinecone Conservatives

A footnote: In 13 days the spirit of our Constitution will bring back the strength of Old Ironsides. Its time to fill our sails with that calm breeze that the world is waiting to feel!