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Dear Reader ,
At election time I ’ m sure you ’ ve heard someone declare , “ If that candidate wins , I ’ m moving to ( fill in the blank … Timbuctoo ?).” Guess what ? There ’ s no place to go . Despite our challenges , no nation holds a candle above this often flawed and struggling democracy we called America .
When our forward-thinking citizens claim that we must shift focus from a national lens to a global perspective , I ask for a list of nations worldwide practicing global diversity and cooperation . That list leaves out Russia , China , India , Pakistan , all of the Middle East , less Israel , all of Central and South America , all of the African continent , and most of the rest of Asia including Japan .
Bruce Cook Editor
Simply , the USA is the only democratic global power representing all races , religions , creeds , national origins , and political ideologies on the planet . Even Western Europe , for the most part , while ideologically in accord with U . S . foreign policy , remains largely provincial and homogenous culturally and racially .
What does this mean ? It means America struggles to find balance , struggles to agree on serious and sublime matters alike . We step on each other ’ s toes . We punch one another in the gut . Yes , we fight hard . And guess what else ? It has always been that way . The Founders were ready to draw swords and duel in the cobblestone streets . There were brothers against brothers . Ben Franklin disowned his son and they never spoke again over political differences between the new colonies and English rule . Every challenge forward was marked by great debate and severe divide . The Civil War surely stands out above most everything else as a lesson in both the strengths and fragility of American democracy .
Through it all , we reach July 4 , 2022 as one large complex American puzzle ; some pieces missing , others well-worn and reliable . The most important piece of the puzzle is the resolve , resiliency and resounding faith of the American people in the ideals of this nation and its Constitution . If we strive to make America a great and free nation , the foundation begins , and always has begun , with the value of the individual to live a life of purpose , dignity , and courage .
In the July issue of Bay Window these values are on display in our local youth featured in two prominent insertions in the magazine . First , please enjoy the coverage of the 2022 Balboa Bay 1221 Scholarship Awards featured on page 20 . Twenty-four exemplary high school graduating seniors shared $ 124,000 in grant funding to aid in their future educational pursuits . The message carried in speeches given by the honored students was clear . Gratitude was bestowed upon parents , teachers , friends , and mentors for the support needed to excel , overcome challenges and grow . Dedication to hard work turned dreams into reality .
Second , columnist Carole Pickup profiles the top scholars in her essay on page 64 revealing the personal courage and passion of each individual student .
What better example of American true grit for the 4th of July 2022 than the promise of our children ?
For 246 years we ’ ve perfected the American experiment . The quest and the glory rolls on .
Raise the flag . Celebrate !
Bruce Cook Editor
10 BAY WINDOW