Our turn

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Al Mollo

As I now present to you my final column, it remains these words of Abraham Lincoln that have from the start been my guide.

In my humble attempt to serve our university community, I have with my words tried to live by those of our greatest president. At times, it was difficult. But to do so usually is.

In addition to my words, I hope to leave you with that which cannot be written, because now it is our turn.

First, in the spirit of Lincoln, it is my hope to leave you with courage.

Seldom is it easy to stand firm for that which is right. But never allow that to be reason for failing to realize its difference from that which is wrong. There still does, and always shall, exist such.

There are those who now seek to replace the values that this country was built upon with the acceptance of those far deviant, no matter how amoral or wicked. It is the defense and renewal of these fundamental American values that stands as our greatest challenge.

There are those who say that all values are equal, and the existence of those shared is gone. To them I say unequivocally: All values are not the same. Certain things do matter. It does matter if a child is raised without a father. It does matter if the American family disintegrates. It does matter if the able-bodied work.

The values that this nation was founded upon - God, country, family - will always matter. This ground we shall stand without compromise.

Within this framework, above all else, must be our refusal to permit the corrupt forces to succeed in their efforts to diminish the importance of God in our society. For anyone to think that America can walk away from God - a God broadly defined, not a Christian, Muslim, or Jewish God, but a fundamental belief in our Creator - is to ask for that which cannot be.

It is our turn to renew the truths embraced by our founders, who gave birth to this nation as one under God.

I leave with you a love of America.

America means something. It means more than merely a place to exist. In their comfort, there are those who exhibit the indifference that is perhaps most detestable. We are fortunate to live within the boarders of the greatest land the world has ever known. Each day, we Americans awake to a special gift of unlimited promise that has been bestowed upon us by the brave souls who came before.

We should be fair and good in dealing with any friend of America, and fearless toward any foe who threatens it. We should welcome any man or woman into our national community that arrives in hope of becoming an American. We should have no use, however, for those who seek to come to our land as nothing more than a hyphenated American tenant.

Because within this land lives a spirit. It is our turn to renew that spirit.

America means something. Ronald Reagan, when accepting the nomination for the presidency, perhaps but it best:

"It is impossible to capture in words the splendor of this vast continent which God has granted as our portion of his creation. There are no words to express the extraordinary strength and character of this breed of people we call Americans - from all economic conditions, walks of life bound together in that community of shared values of family, work, neighborhood, peace and freedom. They are concerned, yes, they're not frightened. They're disturbed, but not dismayed. They are the kind of men and women Tom Paine had in mind when he wrote, during the darkest days of the American revolution, 'we have it in our power to begin the world over again.'"

We are all Americans first - men and women of all colors and beliefs. And as one people, we shall go up or down together. I implore you to embrace each other and all that unites us, and to reject, to challenge and to defeat the wicked forces that seek to separate us. We are Americans first. We shall always be Americans first.

In his farewell address to the nation, President George Washington said, "Citizens, by birth or choice, of a common country, that country has a right to concentrate your affections. The name of American, which belongs to you in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together; the independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint counsels, and joint efforts of common dangers, sufferings, and successes."

Now, as did Washington, I must move on. And as I put my pen down, I at last leave you hope.

It is up to us, my friends. We stand in the shadows of the greatest century of American glory and within the dawn of the one about to be born. Over 50 years ago, Franklin Roosevelt said "Our generation has a rendezvous with destiny."

Now, it is our turn.

It is up to us. It is our country. Our world. Our future. We must do it for ourselves. We owe it to our children. It is our turn to renew that spirit as we prepare to lead America into the new millennium.

With the challenge my mentor Newt Gingrich ended To Renew America, so I conclude my message to you:

"To renew or decay. At no time in our nation's history has the choice been clearer."

It is our turn. May God always bless America.