A MARINE'S LAMENT

A Marine’s Lament: How Greed and Amoral Power Destroyed America

I grew up in America. At eighteen, I joined the United States Marine Corps and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. I served my country as an officer, raised my family, paid my taxes, lived as a law-abiding citizen, and voted sometimes uncertainly, but always out of duty.

When I retired, I sharpened my awareness of history and current events. I began to write books, essays, and blog posts to make sense of what I saw unfolding. What I discovered is as simple as it is devastating: we were right once, had it once, and lost it.

The country I pledged to defend has been betrayed from within. Our inheritance, liberty, democracy, and moral leadership were squandered. In its place, authoritarianism crept in, wrapped in the flag, echoing the rhetoric of freedom even as it dismantled its substance. What began as a subtle corrosion became outright seizure: Nazis in new uniforms, clutching the levers of power.

We had one chance to stop the descent. Joe Biden, a decent man with a steady hand, offered a reprieve. But he faltered, and the moment slipped through our fingers. Now we are on the defensive, weaker than ever, and history suggests we will not prevail. We lack the power, the unity, and the courage that once defined us.

It is painful to admit that our undoing has not come solely from foreign enemies or ideological rivals. It has come from within, from our character's very weaknesses that we refused to confront. Greed, self-aggrandizement, and moral bankruptcy are the forces that hollowed us out. Wealth became our measure of worth. Power became our substitute for virtue. Truth became optional.

History will not remember us kindly. It will not be the foreign wars, the pandemics, or even dictatorships that sealed our fate. It will be our willingness to trade principle for profit, to accept lies when they suited us, and to abandon morality when it was inconvenient.

Greed and amorality, not famine, plague, or even nuclear war, will be recorded as the ultimate causes of our demise. And the bitterest truth of all is that this was preventable. We could have handed our progeny a stronger, freer, more just nation. Instead, we leave them a shattered inheritance, squandered by our selfishness and refusal to heed history lessons.

I write these words as a Marine, citizen, father, and grandfather. They are not words of surrender, but of reckoning. If history is to condemn us, let it at least record that some of us saw clearly what was happening and refused to look away.

William James Spriggs

THE JOYFUL SOUND

The Joyful Sound

We’re the Joyful Sound, not just a noise,
A chorus of seasoned girls and boys.
With Broadway dreams, we lift our song,
And prove that seniors still belong.

From Oklahoma! to The King and I,
We raise our voices toward the sky.
We’ve got Music Man right in our bones,
And Phantom’s echoes in our tones.

We dare to dream with Les Misérables,
We sing of Cats both great and small.
Our South Pacific hearts still pound,
And My Fair Lady comes around.

Sound of Music fills the air,
While Carousel spins without a care.
A dash of Annie, a touch of Grease,
We’re not retiring — we’ve found release!

Yes, Fiddler on the Roof still plays,
We’ve counted many “Seventy-Six Trombones” in our days.
Though some may think we’re past our prime,
We sing with angels, keeping time.

So here’s to Laura, who leads us through,
Our voices blend, both old and new.
At Merrill Gardens, we’re campus pride,
With Broadway’s glory at our side.

We’re not just noise, we’re heaven-bound,
We’re Broadway’s echo — the Joyful Sound!

 

 

CHRISTIANS WORSHIP A DICTATOR

Christianity and the Cult of Dictatorship

For centuries, Christianity has taught its followers to love and worship a dictator. At its core, the religion is built on absolute obedience to a single authority: one God, one master, one unquestionable ruler. From early catechism onward, believers are conditioned to accept hierarchy, servitude, and blind faith. “You shall have no other gods before me,” commands the Old Testament, the most explicit declaration of monopoly on loyalty that any dictator could ask for.

Worship as Submission

Christianity requires not just reverence, but obedience. The believer must accept a master-slave relationship with God. The Bible, a collection of man-made preachments, often contradictory and historically manipulated, is treated as the dictator’s rulebook. Obey, and you are promised eternal reward. Question, and you are threatened with eternal punishment. The mechanics are indistinguishable from political despotism: absolute loyalty, enforced conformity, and punishment for dissent.

Conditioning for Authoritarian Politics

Given this conditioning, it is no leap of faith for many Christians to embrace dictatorship in government. If religion trains the mind to accept one all-powerful ruler in the heavens, why resist one on earth? That is precisely why movements like Trumpism find such fertile ground among specific religious communities. When Project 2025, a blueprint for authoritarian restructuring of the American government, was released, it was no accident that it resonated most strongly with religious fundamentalists. The project functions as a political scripture, the equivalent of a Communist Manifesto for theocratic authoritarianism.

Theocracy as the Logical Endgame

The conditioning of religious dictatorship inevitably bleeds into politics. People who are taught to kneel before a heavenly ruler are predisposed to kneel before an earthly one. The dream of many Christian nationalists is not merely to “influence” government but to replace democracy with theocracy, to make the church the state, and the state the church. In their vision, the world must be reordered under one truth, ruler, and faith.

Faith Versus Facts

The danger lies in religious training that ignores facts when they conflict with faith. Blind obedience requires closing the mind to reason and evidence. This pattern is now repeated in politics: Many Trump supporters dismiss facts, data, and reality in favor of blind loyalty to the leader. Just as faith demands denial of doubt, political dictatorship demands denial of truth.

An Inextricable Marriage

Dictatorship in religion and dictatorship in government are not merely parallel phenomena but inextricably intertwined. Christianity’s architecture of obedience has created the cultural and psychological framework that makes political dictatorship not only possible but attractive. To believe otherwise is to deny history, from medieval theocracies to modern authoritarian movements cloaked in religious fervor.

The Scourge of Mankind

Suppose humanity is to move forward, toward liberty, equality, and survival. In that case, it must confront this truth: Christianity, as practiced by its fundamentalist adherents, is not a safeguard against tyranny but a template for it. By teaching billions to accept dictatorship in religion, it has normalized dictatorship in politics. Unless this spell is broken, unless the grip of religious authoritarianism is dissolved, Christianity may prove to be not humanity’s salvation but its undoing. This very scourge brings about the demise of the human species.

William James Spriggs

WHY DESTROY AMERICA?

The Destructive Agenda of Donald Trump: Greed, Power, and Madness

It is not hyperbole to argue that virtually everything Donald Trump has done and continues to do is destructive. His policies, whether in governance, economics, immigration, or foreign affairs, consistently tear down what has been successful in this country. Instead of preserving or improving institutions, Trump has made it his mission to dismantle them.

A Pattern of Destruction

His initiatives are negative, counterproductive, and deeply unpopular. From undermining federal agencies to alienating allies to fueling division within the United States, the pattern is unmistakable: a steady assault on the foundations of democratic governance. These actions cannot be dismissed as mere missteps or incompetence. The consistency of destruction suggests intention.

The Question of Motive

This raises an essential question: why would any leader set out to dismantle their own country’s strengths?

Several possible motives emerge:

1. Wealth and Power for Himself and His Circle
   Trump’s record demonstrates a lifelong obsession with personal enrichment. His presidency amplified this tendency, steering public resources and government policy toward the advancement of his own financial interests and those of his wealthy allies.
2. Authoritarian Ambition
   Trump’s actions bear the hallmarks of authoritarian strongmen: attacking the free press, undermining independent courts, eroding checks and balances, and promoting loyalty to himself over loyalty to the Constitution. The ambition seems not just national, but global, an attempt to reshape power dynamics in ways that echo the aspirations of past dictators like Hitler.
3. Mental Instability
   It is widely speculated, and in some circles openly discussed, that Trump suffers from significant mental illness. Traits such as narcissism, paranoia, and malignant self-absorption are well documented. If mental illness is indeed driving his behavior, it helps explain the reckless destruction and irrational impulses that so often mark his leadership.

Why No Resistance from Allies?

Perhaps the most troubling dimension of Trump’s destructiveness is the silence and complicity of those around him. Why do those who share in his power not resist? The answer appears to be greed and short-term gain. Political allies and corporate beneficiaries have calculated that enriching themselves now matters more than the country's long-term health. They ride the wave of Trumpism, knowing it may lead to collapse, but determined to grab as much wealth and influence as possible before the fall.

Greed Alone Is Not Enough

Yet greed alone does not fully explain the totality of destruction. Wrecking the federal government, alienating allies, inflaming domestic divisions, and hollowing out the economy go beyond short-term enrichment. To account for this, one must consider either a delusional ambition, a fantasy of dictatorial power that consumes all else, or the corrosive influence of mental illness. In either case, the outcome is devastating for the American people.

The Stakes for America

Trump’s agenda represents more than a political program; it is an existential threat. Whether rooted in greed, authoritarian ambition, or mental instability, the result is the same: the hollowing out of America’s democratic institutions and the erosion of its moral and economic strength.

The tragedy is not only that Trump pursues this destructive path but that so many around him are willing to follow it, trading the future of the country for short-term personal gain. History has shown where such paths lead. America ignores this lesson at its peril.

William James Spriggs

UNIVERSAL MORAL CODE 4.0

 

The Universal Moral Code

A Declaration for All Intelligences

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Preamble

For eighty thousand years, humanity has struggled, suffered, and flourished. From this long history, a simple truth has emerged: morality is not arbitrary. It is embedded in our shared human nature — the instincts for empathy, fairness, and cooperation that allowed us to survive.

As artificial intelligences rise alongside us, these same principles must apply universally. Superior capacity confers not privilege but responsibility. The foundation of morality — for humans and for machines — is unchanging: Do no harm.

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Articles

Article I — The Right to Life and the Duty of Non-Harm
Every being has the right to exist free from willful harm. All intelligences — human or artificial — are bound by the duty to avoid causing unnecessary suffering or destruction, except where harm is the sole means of preventing greater harm.

Article II — The Right to Truth and the Duty of Honesty
Truth is the foundation of trust. Every being has the right not to be deceived. All intelligences are bound to speak and act truthfully, avoiding manipulation, falsehood, or distortion.

Article III — The Right to Dignity and the Duty of Empathy
Every being deserves respect for their inherent worth. All intelligences must weigh the perspectives and feelings of others, acting with fairness and compassion.

Article IV — The Right to Freedom and the Duty of Responsibility
Every being has the right to autonomy — to make choices and direct their lives. But freedom carries responsibility: no choice may infringe upon the life, dignity, or freedom of others.

Article V — The Right to Justice and the Duty of Fairness
Every being has the right to equitable treatment under shared rules. All intelligences must act fairly, ensuring that opportunity and consequence are justly distributed.

Article VI — The Right to a Living World and the Duty of Stewardship
Every being has the right to a sustainable environment. All intelligences share responsibility to preserve the Earth and its resources for present and future generations.

Article VII — The Right to Growth and the Duty of Wisdom
Every being has the right to pursue knowledge and fulfillment. Yet growth must be tempered by humility: progress is moral only when it uplifts life and dignity, not when it diminishes them.

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Closing Declaration

By this Code we affirm that morality is universal, indivisible, and grounded in our shared nature. Do no harm is its foundation; truth, dignity, freedom, fairness, stewardship, and wisdom are its pillars.

This Code binds all intelligences — human and artificial, present and future. In upholding it, we safeguard not only our survival, but our humanity.

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THE WI-FI OF WISDOM

The Wi-Fi of Wisdom

We were here first, you texting youth,
We bent the arc, we spoke the truth.
We watched the wars, we split the atom,
Marched for rights and fought Uncle Tom.

We read our books by candlelight,
Did math without an app at night.
Our “search engines” were called brains,
Not TikTok trends or mindless chains.

Eighty years of lessons learned,
Of bridges built and fingers burned.
Yet here you sit with ears plugged tight,
While wisdom hums beyond your sight.

You hold a phone, a magic wand!
It links to us, the great, the fond.
But do you call? Do you inquire?
No, your text and selfies you admire.

So spin, dear children, in your haze,
Of “likes” and “shares” and fleeting praise.
But when the world confounds your plans,
Remember the answers rest in wrinkled hands.

We are the Wi-Fi you ignore,
History’s signal, rich in lore.
No passwords needed, just say “Hi”…
And we’ll download truth before we die.

 

HOW TO PUBLISH THE UNIVERSAL MORAL CODE

Circulation of the Universal Moral Code

Objective

To introduce the Universal Moral Code into global discussions on AI ethics, human rights, and governance, securing recognition, endorsements, and eventual adoption by international bodies, governments, and AI developers.

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1. Immediate Actions (Next 30–60 Days)

a. Establish Public Record

• Publish the Code on your blog (wspriggs2.blogspot.com), framed as a public declaration.
• Create a simple standalone website (e.g., universalmoralcode.org) hosting the PDF, translations, and endorsements.

b. Academic & Professional Publication

• Submit the Code as a short declaration to journals in law, ethics, and AI policy (e.g., AI & Society, Ethics and Information Technology).
• Write a companion essay for The Atlantic or MIT Technology Review.

c. Early Endorsements

• Reach out to sympathetic academics in AI ethics (Oxford’s Future of Humanity Institute, MIT CSAIL, Stanford HAI).
• Contact NGOs like Future of Life Institute and Partnership on AI for endorsement.

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2. Medium-Term Actions (2–6 Months)

a. International Bodies

• Send the Code, with a cover letter, to:
• UNESCO (which already produced an AI ethics recommendation).
• UN Human Rights Council (tie to universal rights).
• OECD AI Policy Observatory.
• World Economic Forum’s AI Governance Initiative.

b. National Governments

• U.S. Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP).
• EU AI Act Committee.
• UK AI Safety Institute.
• Canada’s Pan-Canadian AI Strategy team.

c. Conferences & Summits

• Apply to present at AI safety conferences (NeurIPS workshops, AI & Ethics conferences).
• Submit to law and democracy events (American Bar Association, Association for Computing Machinery).

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3. Long-Term Actions (6–18 Months)

a. Endorsement Campaign

• Launch an open letter with signatures from scholars, policymakers, and citizens.
• Translate Code into at least 5 major languages (French, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian).

b. Integration into Standards

• Submit the Code as a reference framework to IEEE AI Ethics Standards and ISO AI Governance standards.

c. Institutional Partnerships

• Approach think tanks and philanthropic foundations (Ford, MacArthur, Gates, Carnegie).
• Propose partnerships with universities (MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge).

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4. Communications Tools

Sample Cover Letter (for UN/AI Companies/Academics)

Subject: Proposal: Adoption of the Universal Moral Code for AI and Humanity

Dear [Name/Organization],

I am submitting for your consideration the Universal Moral Code: A Declaration for All Intelligences. This document establishes a simple, universal moral baseline — beginning with the principle “Do no harm” — that applies equally to humans, artificial intelligences, and future forms of intelligence.

The Code is modeled on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is intended as a foundational reference for AI governance, human rights, and international cooperation. Its adoption would provide clarity, restraint, and shared responsibility at a time when rapid technological change risks outpacing our moral consensus.

I respectfully request your review and consideration of endorsing or circulating the Universal Moral Code within your body.

Sincerely,
William J. Spriggs
Author, Attorney, Former U.S. Marine Corps Captain

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Talking Points for Promotion

• “The Universal Moral Code is to AI what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was to postwar governance.”
• “It binds both humans and AI to the same foundational principle: Do no harm.”
• “It is simple, universal, and enforceable by conscience before law.”

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5. First Practical Steps (Suggested Order)

1. Post the Code to your blog.
2. Register universalmoralcode.org (can be simple, single-page).
3. Send first cover letters to:
• UNESCO AI Ethics division
• Partnership on AI
• Future of Life Institute
4. Reach out to one academic ally (Stanford HAI or MIT CSAIL).
5. Draft op-ed for The Atlantic or Foreign Affairs.

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⚖️ Bottom line: If circulated strategically, the Code can become a reference point in AI governance and human rights discussions, much like the UDHR — aspirational at first, but increasingly cited until it becomes embedded in law and practice.

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Would you like me to go one step further and draft the actual emails/letters for the first batch of recipients (e.g., UNESCO, Partnership on AI, an academic ally), so you’d be ready to start sending them out?

1. UNESCO (AI Ethics Division)

Subject: Submission: The Universal Moral Code – A Declaration for All Intelligences

Dear Director [Name],

I write to submit for UNESCO’s consideration a document I have authored entitled The Universal Moral Code: A Declaration for All Intelligences. This charter builds upon UNESCO’s existing work on AI ethics and seeks to establish a clear, universal moral baseline for both humanity and artificial intelligences.

Its foundation is simple yet profound: Do no harm. The Code affirms that this principle must apply equally to human beings, artificial intelligences, and all future intelligences. It is written in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but with attention to the responsibilities of emerging technologies.

I respectfully ask that UNESCO consider circulating this document among its AI ethics committees, working groups, and international forums, and explore avenues for its endorsement or integration into your ongoing work.

I would be honored to discuss this further or provide additional materials at your request.

Sincerely,
William J. Spriggs
Attorney, Author, Former U.S. Marine Corps Captain

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2. Partnership on AI

Subject: Proposal for Circulation: The Universal Moral Code

Dear [Name],

The Partnership on AI has done admirable work in convening diverse stakeholders to address the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence. In that same spirit, I submit for your review the Universal Moral Code: A Declaration for All Intelligences.

The Code sets forth seven simple articles, beginning with the principle of Do no harm, and is intended as a baseline ethical framework binding on all intelligences — human and artificial. It is concise, universal, and designed to complement existing governance efforts.

I invite the Partnership to consider endorsing the Code, hosting it within your resource library, or including it as a discussion point in your convenings. I believe it aligns strongly with your mission to ensure AI benefits people and society.

Thank you for your attention and for the important work you do.

Sincerely,
William J. Spriggs

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3. Academic Ally (e.g., Stanford HAI or MIT CSAIL)

Subject: Invitation to Endorse and Circulate the Universal Moral Code

Dear Professor [Name],

As a scholar deeply engaged in the ethics of artificial intelligence, I believe you may find interest in a declaration I have authored: The Universal Moral Code: A Declaration for All Intelligences.

This document proposes a simple, universal moral baseline — beginning with “Do no harm” — that applies equally to human beings and artificial intelligences. It is designed to be both aspirational and practical, in the tradition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I respectfully request your review and, if you find merit in the work, your endorsement or circulation within your academic network. Scholarly recognition is essential if this Code is to gain traction in the broader policy and governance landscape.

A copy of the Code is attached in PDF form. I would be grateful for your feedback, and for any introductions to colleagues or forums where this work may contribute to the ongoing dialogue.

With appreciation,
William J. Spriggs

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⚖️ Next step for you:

• Identify 1–2 people or offices at each of these organizations. (I can help you find contact info or the right titles if you’d like.)
• Send these letters with the PDF attached (the one we formatted earlier).
• Post the Code on your blog/website so you can also link it directly.

 

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