On January 17, 2013 the Utah Sheriffs’ Association penned the 21st Century version of:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident...”
This stunningly succinct five paragraph letter is a testament to the virtues inherent with true men of honor. Countless thousands have taken the Oath of Office to ‘protect and defend the Constitution of the United States‘, but few really understand its meaning. An even safer bet would be to say that a large majority of said ‘oath takers‘ have barely taken more than a cursory glance at the document to which they attest. Rest assured that 28 of the 29 Sheriff’s of Utah do not fall in that category. As part of their conclusion, they affirm:
“We respect the Office of the President of the United States of America. But, make no mistake, as the duly-elected sheriffs of our respective counties, we will enforce the rights guaranteed to our citizens by the Constitution.”
Many pontificator’s from both sides of the ideological aisle will no doubt spend their collective energy writing derisive analysis’ of this letter. These ‘hand-wringing‘ opinions will be filled with vitriol that attempt to malign this group as subversive, racist, anarchist, or civil war mongers. Sadly enough, even the proponents of men like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, etal will try to ‘divine‘ an arcane meaning for such a letter even being written. And when all is said and done, the answers most likely abide in Occam’s Razor.
It could simply be that in a 21st century where deceit, obfuscation, and back room deals have become the accepted norms in the judgement of men, anyone holding fast to a principle will be cordoned off as an anomaly to the definition of virtue. It could be that an ‘oath‘ to something bigger than the collective souls of all men is just that: an oath. A promise to protect and defend the rights endowed by their Creator; not those rationed out by mortal men.
As Edmund Burke so eloquently stated:
“All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”
The indisputable fact is that usurpers, liars, and those of disrepute will ere flee when men of honor and virtue stand upright in a righteous cause.
Action Item
You can reach out in support of the Utah Sheriffs’ Association by clicking this link. Lord knows they desperately need it now.
