See other Editorial Articles
Title: Does the fiery spirit of 1776 still burn?
Source:
St. Petersburg Times
URL Source: http://www.sptimes.com/News/070401/ ... ns/Does_the_fiery_spirit.shtml
Published: Jul 4, 2001
Author: Howard Troxler
Post Date: 2008-07-04 14:34:47 by X-15
Keywords: None
Views: 1177
Comments: 93
Today we celebrate our right to overthrow the government. There is no pussyfooting around this fact. It is the central meaning of Independence Day. Today's firecrackers are reminders of the bloody war we were willing to fight against the British to win freedom. Bang. We can try to rename today's holiday the more innocuous "Fourth of July." We can outlaw firecrackers on the grounds of nuisance and fire hazard and you'll-put-somebody's-eye-out. But so far nobody has been able to rewrite the Declaration of Independence itself, and the words of that document are crystal clear. Today is a spiritual, passionate, angry, violent holiday for a modern society that is squeamish about every one of those adjectives. If you get a chance today, you should read the actual words of the Declaration. Read the whole thing. It's even better out loud. Imagine you are really fed up while you're reading it. When you get to the list of abuses by King George III, you will get angrier and angrier. I still do. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Endowed by their Creator! Were the Framers deftly sidestepping the word "God," or in their day did they simply assume that one word was synonymous with the other? Either way is fine -- the point is that we have inherent rights that can never be taken away. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. There's the Big Idea. Government gets its authority from the consent of the people. It is one of the most important political things anybody ever said, except maybe for the next sentence . . . That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government... And that is the gist of it. The people give the government its power. If the government becomes tyrannical, the people have the right to cast it off. This does not mean that the Framers intended us to start a revolution every time we got ticked off. It does not bestow any moral authority on kooks and extremists. In fact, Jefferson and his editors stressed just the opposite: government should not be changed for "light and transient causes." But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Legally speaking, do you know how much weight the Declaration of Independence carries today? None. Zippo. The Constitution is the sole basis of our government. Yet the Constitution would not have been possible without the Declaration -- it is the "new Guard." An opinion survey this week said 66 percent of us do not believe Americans would be as willing to call for a revolution today as they were 225 years ago. But are we really so puny? We have glorified the Revolution over the past two and a quarter centuries. The truth is it was a controversial and divisive time. A lot of colonists wanted the King to win. They were willing to live under tyranny for a little extra security. Do you think they magically grew a better crop of human beings in the 1700s? Or did Americans of that era rise to the occasion, just as they did in a Civil War, in a terrible Depression, in two 20th-century wars against global evil? In our modern life we are fat and happy and safe and selfish. The question for today is whether in that comfort and selfishness, an essential American idea has been extinguished, or is just sleeping. 
Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
Comments (1-28) not displayed.
.
.
.
#29. To: Cynicom (#26)
That scuffle was called Bunker Hill but was actually Breeds hill. At the end of the day we had ourselves a Revolution. I do not lightly commit myself to such a dead end proposition, but in this I must say that it is HIGH TIME to remember the fallen and those that will fall.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Something transpired, what we will never know. For him to withdraw was one thing, but to pledge fervent love and loyalty for the republican party was beyond obscene.
Something transpired, what we will never know. For him to withdraw was one thing, but to pledge fervent love and loyalty for the republican party was beyond obscene. Others have put their whole on the line and lost it all. I guess they weren't reluctant which is why they did it? ;-)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
At least he didn't and apparently won't be endorsing the establishment's McGabe. ;-)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
My Grandfather (removed) took down his musket and fought. In the process he froze his feet and became a cripple for life. In 1813 a "grateful" country awarded him a pension of $13 a month.
NONE ever were able to break the the misguided evangelicals
Life is unfair. God is just. We are blessed to be born Americans and retaining the American spirit comes with a cost. Time to water the Tree again. ;-)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Email from friend that fits in: Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,and poverty was his reward. Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble- rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So,take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: Freedom is never free! It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.
Ah yes. My personal favorite. Thank you for that most timely and relevant submission! ;-)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. I believe each died knowing that they passed something worthy forward. I hope so at least. ;-)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
And also remember that in 6 short months the reign of our modern day King George will be over. And though we may not regain the freedoms we lost because another Beltway Chosen tyrant will take charge in January 2009, let's rejoice at the thought that goofy and snarl and jerkoff will all be ordinary citizens then so they will be spied on by the very systems they put in place to spy on us rubes. Yippee! Not exactly liberation but heck misery loves company.
Amen for Men that will be real Men!
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
I predict that by Summer 2009, smirk and friends will be in latitudes far south such as Paraguay! ;-)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
The other day I saw this black police seargant in a convenience store and struck up a convo with him about driver's license checkpoints in a number of cities, and the constitutionality or lack thereof, of such checkpoints. the convo shifted and i told him about the ABC news report outlining how homeland security admits working with pastors throughout murika to prepare for martial law, and told him about the 400 million dollar contract for halliburton detainment camps. he had not heard of either story but it did not surprise him. he then talked about the phony iraq war, attempted war on iran, and then to my shock he mentioned the 'one world order'/(!!) I then bit the bullet and asked him about 911 being an inside job, and he said, nothing this govt does would suprise him. WOW. he said, yes he's a cop and does his job, but is still a man, and he doesnt approve of the NWO, and he said that the cops know about the NWO. unbelievable. and in the end, i said, well all i can do is thank you for being awake. and i reminded him, that he and his cohorts are going to be told that they are the enforcement arm of the NWO when the time comes. he said he hoped he'd be retired by then. i'm still shocked by this random conversation and what it revealed. i admit i found the conversation hopeful.
MY REPLY TO ZEITGEIST: 1John Chapter 2: "21 I write to you not because you do not know the truth but because you do, and because every lie is alien to the truth. 22 Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist." I have a convo like this more often than you'd imagine. Which is why the Police Super State is trilateral in nature. For enforcement purposes foremost! I hope this good man is NOT retired and in fact is willing to be a cog in taking down the effing rotten evil machine aka AmeriKa.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Reading, and re-reading, my post, I realize that there are many more names there that I do not recognize, than those I do. This makes me question how much we need a 'leader,' rather than many more like-minded folks that we can count on and trust to do right, when right needs to be done. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful discussion on this thread.
This makes me question how much we need a 'leader,' rather than many more like-minded folks that we can count on and trust to do right, when right needs to be done. Anyway, thanks for the thoughtful discussion on this thread. I've read the content of what you posted many times before, for maybe 20 years now. Give or take. I will always remember these stories, because we're going to see them repeated! "God. Do something with the queen, please!?"
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
I couldn't disagree more. I've been ripping the Bush administration since its early days via letters to the editors of the local fish wrap. I could always count on the same idiot with a poor son fighting for freedom (democracy, baseball, mom, and apple pie) being the the first to ring my phone in his outrage over my treasonous opposition to the Decider.
Success is relative. It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things. T. S. Eliot
"...As in our intercourse with our fellow men, certain principles of morality are assumed to exist without which society would be impossible, so certain inherent rights lie at the foundation of all action and upon a recognition of them alone can free institutions be maintained. These inherent rights have never been more happily expressed than in the declaration of independence, that new evangel of liberty to the people: "We hold these truths to be self-evident" -- that is, so plain that their truth is recognized upon their mere statement -- "that all men are endowed" -- not by edicts of emperors, or decrees of Parliament, or acts of Congress, but "by their Creator with certain inalienable rights" -- that is, rights which cannot be bartered away, or given away, or taken away, except in punishment of crime -- "and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and to secure these" -- not grant them, but secure them -- "governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Among these inalienable rights, as proclaimed in that great document, is the right of men to pursue their happiness, by which is meant the right to pursue any lawful business or vocation, in any manner not inconsistent with the equal rights of others, which may increase their prosperity or develop their faculties, so as to give to them their highest enjoyment. The common business and callings of life, the ordinary trades and pursuits, which are innocuous in themselves, and have been followed in all communities from time immemorial, must therefore be free in this country to all alike upon the same conditions. The right to pursue them, without let or hindrance, except that which is applied to all persons of the same age, sex, and condition, is a distinguishing privilege of citizens of the United States, and an essential element of that freedom which they claim as their birthright. It has been well said that "the property which every man has in his own labor, as it is the original foundation of all other property, so it is the most sacred and inviolable. The patrimony of the poor man lies in the strength and dexterity of his own hands, and to hinder his employing this strength and dexterity in what manner he thinks proper, without injury to his neighbor, is a plain violation of this most sacred property. It is a manifest encroachment upon the just liberty both of the workman and of those who might be disposed to employ him. As it hinders the one from working at what he thinks proper, so it hinders the others from employing whom they think proper." Smith, Wealth of Nations, Bk. I, c. 10. Excerpt from Butchers' Union Co. v. Crescent City Co., 111 U.S. 746 (1884)
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. This is what we've got to have the stones to do - engage whomever we can, and hopefully have some good DVD's to hand out to people with whom we come in contact, in whatever context. People KNOW that things are not right in our country.
Good history lesson. I am learning what they feel now. Two weeks ago we had all our dreams, a beautiful farm where we grow our own food and a wind-solar system meets our energy needs. Well Indiana capped property taxes and the caps will kick in fully by 2010. Things were looking good. Then things got strange. The town we live near, facing less revenue decided to forcibly annex as much land as possible. Our 70 acres will soon be taxed as commercial land. We must destroy our septic system and dig at least 700 feet to hook up sewer and pay all these costs. The sewer system will be put in under a neighborhood lein which we will have up to 30 years to pay off. The cost of all these services/improvements will then be added to my property value to further increase property taxes. Our well is pumped by solar energy and we must destroy it too. Then the neighboring landowner, who has tried through various means to buy us out over the past five years convinced city hall that he could put a commercial project on our farm which would benefit the city. I either accept his offer now or I accept a lower offer later after it is confiscated by eminate domain. I think this is how it all begins. We all understand that our federal government is a thinly veiled Police State, but do not underestimate your local government. We never saw this coming.
What a great post! and Amen!!
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Whatever happened to that sort of thinking?
Amazing. It must be that these parents need to convince themselves over and over again that their sacrificing their children for the MIC is something other than abrogating parental responsibilities to protect their offspring from evil.
Didn't your land have an ag exemption on it? How can it be arbitrarily be re-zoned as commercial property, just because doofus claims that he 'could' re-develop it? At least down here, if a city annexes property, they have to provide, and pay for all the city 'services' before they can increase the taxes. How many other owners are affected by this theft? Tomorrow, I'll try to get you some people/institutions to contact about this situation.
Thank you very much. I thought it was appropriate for this thread since it has a lot to do with the Declaration of Independence. If you have time check out another article I posted just a little while ago, Are You Free Or Just 'Freer'? I think you might like it.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. This is very true. Most just live in fear or deny reality. One way or the other. ;-)
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Just damn
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.”—Samuel Adams
Oh, some of us still think that way. Unfortunately too many Americans seem to want what they believe to be safety and security rather than liberty. But they should remember the wise words of Ben Franklin (iirc) who said that those who would give up liberty for some temporary security deserved neither and would lose both.
Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end. Where at in Indiana? That sounds a lot like the crap going on here in Ft. Wayne.
I am zoned agricultural and I have retained an attorney. Indiana has very unfriendly annexation laws. The state codes read as if only someone who requests annexation can apply for ag exemption. The city indicates it plans on rezoning all agricultural land. I cannot believe Eminate Domain laws allow my neighbor to covet my land and get away with it. This shall be an interesting year. Thanks for your concern.
oh, octavia. my heart goes out to you. i'm pinging Esso and Dak as they are in Indiana.
makes me wonder if your neighbor is government or is giving someone a kickback. it's hard to believe that there isn't something going on behind the scenes which allows this guy to steal your property.
Huntington.....they are annexing 1500 acres and 500 people including 144 nursing home patients. I hired the attorney who helped Ft Wayne annex Aboite. Very hard to remonstrate here. Unfortunately, people are hurting so bad that any leins or extra expense tips them into foreclosure.
Same here. It looks like I'll be losing 4 out of 5 of my immediate neighbors by next spring/summer.
i wonder how many of his fellow cops are this enlightened and i wonder if they talk about it amongst themselves. i'm betting they don't. i would have felt more hopeful if he hadn't answered you by saying he hopes he's retired. it was honest, but if he's not retired, i wonder what he'll do.
paragonfoundation.org/index.html off to look for more
BUMP TO READ THIS
Good. Hiring an experienced knowledgeable attorney is your best plan of action at this point.
No thanks are necessary - were I not concerned about your rights, and trying to help, what little I can, how could I expect anyone to help me, when it was my turn to get screwed? We best do all that we can in this fight for our freedom, and our 'unalienable' rights. Please keep us posted, O.
Americans have become fat and lazy. I would not doubt TV contains subliminal messages to sedate and subdue the masses. They are capable as well of poisoning food and water with substances which slow body and mental processes. It is like Rome in its Empire stage. I read once where the Romans used lead pipes to carry water from aquaducts to the people. Lead is a powerfull neurotoxin which makes people crazy, stupid. I am impressed that so many men who rose up in 1776 had so much to lose. 20th Century Americans will not revolt until they are homeless, cold, hungry, and without TV.
Comments (70 - 93) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/LatestAnd what was the final result of what ensued? ;-)
#30. To: Rotara (#25)
Trotsky imo was a code for 'my campaign was overthrown'.
#31. To: Cynicom (#30)
Trotsky imo was a code for 'my campaign was overthrown'.
#32. To: Cynicom (#30)
but to pledge fervent love and loyalty for the republican party was beyond obscene
#33. To: Rotara (#29)
I do not lightly commit myself to such a dead end proposition, but in this I must say that it is HIGH TIME to remember the fallen and those that will fall.
#34. To: Cynicom (#28)
NONE ever were able to break the "two party" system.
#35. To: Cynicom (#33)
My Grandfather (removed) took down his musket and fought. In the process he froze his feet and became a cripple for life. In 1813 a "grateful" country awarded him a pension of $13 a month
#36. To: Cynicom. The Thread (#19)
I've enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts here.
#37. To: lodwick (#36)
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
#38. To: lodwick (#36)
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
#39. To: lodwick (#36)
Remember: Freedom is never free! It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.
#40. To: lodwick (#36)
These were not wild-eyed, rabble- rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
#41. To: scrapper2 (#39)
#42. To: Rotara, Cynicom, christine, original_intent, twentytwelve, psusa, james deffenbach, jethro_tull, lodwick (#7)
"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I truly am not that concerned about him"
George W, Bush, 3/13/02 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html
#43. To: Artisan (#42)
he said he hoped he'd be retired by then.
#44. To: scrapper2, Rotara, Cynicom, patriots (#39)
#45. To: lodwick (#44)
Reading, and re-reading, my post, I realize that there are many more names there that I do not recognize, than those I do.
#46. To: Rotara (#7)
All of that being said, would you not agree with me that there are at least 1,000,000 Americans left willing to wage and win a last minute overthrow of the illegal shadow government. Especially if the majority of military families side with America? ;-)
#47. To: X-15 (#0)
Lord Acton
#48. To: Artisan (#42)
i'm still shocked by this random conversation and what it revealed. i admit i found the conversation hopeful.
#49. To: lodwick (#36)
#50. To: James Deffenbach (#47)
the property which every man has in his own labor, as it is the original foundation of all other property, so it is the most sacred and inviolable.
#51. To: James Deffenbach (#47)
Dear God.
#52. To: iconoclast (#46)
(Edited)
I could always count on the same idiot with a poor son fighting for freedom (democracy, baseball, mom, and apple pie) being the the first to ring my phone in his outrage over my treasonous opposition to the Decider.
#53. To: octavia (#49)
Speechless.
#54. To: Rotara (#50)
What a great post! and Amen!!
Lord Acton
#55. To: lodwick (#48)
People KNOW that things are not right in our country.
#56. To: octavia (#49)
#57. To: lodwick (#51)
Whatever happened to that sort of thinking?
Lord Acton
#58. To: octavia (#49)
#59. To: lodwick (#53)
#60. To: octavia, Esso, Dakmar (#49)
#61. To: octavia (#59)
I cannot believe Eminate Domain laws allow my neighbor to covet my land and get away with it.
#62. To: Esso (#58)
#63. To: octavia (#62)
Unfortunately, people are hurting so bad that any leins or extra expense tips them into foreclosure.
#64. To: Artisan (#42)
#65. To: octavia (#62)
Here's one that helps sponsor www.derrybrownfield.com -
#66. To: angle, BUMP TO READ THIS (#24)
Something Big is Going On
#67. To: octavia (#62)
I hired the attorney who helped Ft Wayne annex Aboite.
#68. To: octavia (#59)
Thanks for your concern.
#69. To: lodwick (#36)
(Edited)
.
.
.