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Editorial
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: 1452
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.

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#54. To: Rotara (#50)

What a great post! and Amen!!

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.
Lord Acton

James Deffenbach  posted on  2008-07-04   18:14:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#55. To: lodwick (#48)

People KNOW that things are not right in our country.

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

Rotara  posted on  2008-07-04   18:15:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#56. To: octavia (#49)

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

Rotara  posted on  2008-07-04   18:16:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#57. To: lodwick (#51)

Whatever happened to that sort of thinking?

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.
Lord Acton

James Deffenbach  posted on  2008-07-04   18:22:43 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#58. To: octavia (#49)

Where at in Indiana? That sounds a lot like the crap going on here in Ft. Wayne.

Esso  posted on  2008-07-04   18:23:05 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#59. To: lodwick (#53)

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.

octavia  posted on  2008-07-04   18:27:52 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#60. To: octavia, Esso, Dakmar (#49)

oh, octavia. my heart goes out to you. i'm pinging Esso and Dak as they are in Indiana.

christine  posted on  2008-07-04   18:30:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#61. To: octavia (#59)

I cannot believe Eminate Domain laws allow my neighbor to covet my land and get away with it.

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.

christine  posted on  2008-07-04   18:33:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#62. To: Esso (#58)

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.

octavia  posted on  2008-07-04   18:36:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#63. To: octavia (#62)

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.

Esso  posted on  2008-07-04   18:45:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#64. To: Artisan (#42)

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.

christine  posted on  2008-07-04   18:46:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#65. To: octavia (#62)

Here's one that helps sponsor www.derrybrownfield.com -

paragonfoundation.org/index.html

off to look for more

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   18:48:38 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#66. To: angle, BUMP TO READ THIS (#24)

Something Big is Going On

BUMP TO READ THIS

angle  posted on  2008-07-04   18:49:05 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#67. To: octavia (#62)

I hired the attorney who helped Ft Wayne annex Aboite.

Good. Hiring an experienced knowledgeable attorney is your best plan of action at this point.

scrapper2  posted on  2008-07-04   18:53:33 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#68. To: octavia (#59)

Thanks for your concern.

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.

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   18:55:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#69. To: lodwick (#36) (Edited)

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.

octavia  posted on  2008-07-04   18:56:59 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#70. To: All (#69)

Confusion reigns, thought I was responding to another thread.

octavia  posted on  2008-07-04   19:00:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#71. To: Cynicom (#21)

My hero was Dr. Joseph Warren. He orated, wrote and agitated the people to rise up and they did, on opening day he took up his musket and died as a Private fighting for the cause he believed in.

The Brits shot him down and hid his body.

We have no one.

Dont' be so sure about that.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Zec/Zec009.html#14 / www.blueletterbible.org/tsk_b/Zec/9/14.html

"...as long as there..remain active enemies of the Christian church, we may hope to become Master of the World...the future Jewish King will never reign in the world before Christianity is overthrown - B'nai B'rith speech http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/luther.htm / http://bible.cc/psalms/83-4.htm

AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt  posted on  2008-07-04   19:01:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#72. To: lodwick, octavia (#65)

here's another one:

www.landrights.org

"...as long as there..remain active enemies of the Christian church, we may hope to become Master of the World...the future Jewish King will never reign in the world before Christianity is overthrown - B'nai B'rith speech http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/luther.htm / http://bible.cc/psalms/83-4.htm

AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt  posted on  2008-07-04   19:07:53 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#73. To: AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt, octavia (#72)

Another good one, but I'm still looking for another one.

Time to go paw through the bathroom reading stack...

Back shortly.

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   19:35:19 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#74. To: octavia, Esso (#62)

It looks like your supreme court will fall on the side of eminent domain.

Fort Wayne, Ind., Continues Efforts to Buy Mall Property.

From: The News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) (viaKnight-Ridder/Tribune Business News)

Date: December 19, 2003

Dec. 19--FORT WAYNE, Ind.--Fort Wayne, as it continued efforts to buy Southtown Mall through eminent domain, met a Thursday court deadline to submit appraisal proposals. The city wants to pay $2.75 million for the mall property. Its owners, led by North Carolina businessman Haywood Whichard, want more.

***********

The News-Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Ind., local briefs column: Local Briefs.

From: News-Sentinel (Fort Wayne, IN)

Date: June 16, 2006

Jun. 16--Former Southtown site decision upheld

The Indiana Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's decision that the city of Fort Wayne can complete the acquisition of the former Southtown Mall site without paying its former owner millions more.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-07-04   19:41:44 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#75. To: All (#73)

OK - found it - The Institute for Justice -

www.ij.org

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   19:48:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#76. To: Jethro Tull (#74)

Wasn't there a recent 'decision' that said that 'highest, and best-use' prices must be paid to the hoseees in these takings?

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   19:51:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#77. To: Jethro Tull (#74)

The Indiana Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's decision that the city of Fort Wayne can complete the acquisition of the former Southtown Mall site without paying its former owner millions more.

there is only one solution............

christine  posted on  2008-07-04   20:12:43 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#78. To: christine (#77)

This theft will put people over the edge. When the State can ruin your life, it's time to return the compliment.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-07-04   20:17:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#79. To: Jethro Tull, property 'owners' here (#78)

It really is time to stop this insanity.

Holy shiite - what have we become?

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   20:30:13 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#80. To: christine (#77)

there is only one solution............

Time is short. The establishment knows that the game is up.

mash

You've been warned! ;-)

"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

Rotara  posted on  2008-07-04   20:37:02 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#81. To: lodwick (#79)

It time to stop lawyers in black robes from ruining our lives. We need leadership in every town, in every state. The Ft. Wayne 'planners' need to know just how angry we all are.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2008-07-04   20:39:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#82. To: Jethro Tull (#81)

The Ft. Wayne 'planners' need to know just how angry we all are.

I really think that AR angry is what it will take.

This is not said lightly, or even after a couple of pops, but, I cannot see any other way of effecting any change in our country.

As long as we have the same selected jerk-wads making the rules, what chance for 'change' is there?

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   20:57:16 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#83. To: Jethro Tull, lodwick (#81)

The Ft. Wayne 'planners' need to know just how angry we all are.

Good luck with that. We have over 10 cops per square mile here not including the county or state police.

It's virtually impossible to be out of pistol range of a cop within the city limits.

Esso  posted on  2008-07-04   21:06:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#84. To: lodwick (#48)

Hey Lodwick, does 1 Dollar DVD have Alex's latest (9-11 Chronicles) ?

Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break in pieces.

De La Boétie

noone222  posted on  2008-07-04   21:12:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#85. To: noone222 (#84)

I don't know.

Ron waits until Alex gives the go ahead to copy stuff, but from what he's broadcasting these days, it's out there for all of us to download, copy, and spread the word to everyone that we can.

Lod  posted on  2008-07-04   21:34:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#86. To: lodwick (#85) (Edited)

I watched it today on Prisonplanet.tv and there's a message that crosses the screen telling everyone to download and copy it. I need 50 copies !

Resolve to serve no more, and you are at once freed. I do not ask that you place hands upon the tyrant to topple him over, but simply that you support him no longer; then you will behold him, like a great Colossus whose pedestal has been pulled away, fall of his own weight and break in pieces.

De La Boétie

noone222  posted on  2008-07-04   21:43:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#87. To: X-15, REDPANTHER (#0)

BTTT

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

"There is no 'legitimate' Corporation by virtue of it's very legal definition and purpose."
-- IndieTx

"Corporation: An entity created for the legal protection of its human parasites, whose sole purpose is profit and self-perpetuation." © IndieTx

IndieTX  posted on  2008-07-05   1:03:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#88. To: Cynicom (#16)

Only a fool would ever consider reform from "within the system".

One man's reform is another man's subversion.

The reformer must be a subversive. He must have an usurpive mindset.

This is what Paul does not have.

She's got stars in her eyes & knots on her knees now
Her crazy grass shift really sways in the breeze now

Tauzero  posted on  2008-07-05   1:31:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#89. To: X-15 (#0)

I'm as into fireworks as the next guy, but if I have to pick one more spent quarter mile rocket out of my yard that was launched from the people across the creek, I might have to break out the party favors I've been saving for taking out APCs when the shit hits the fan.

"I'd like to live just long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors come with too high a price." Vir Cotto, Babylon 5

orangedog  posted on  2008-07-05   1:44:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#90. To: X-15 (#0)

"It will be answered, if at all, by someone who knows a great deal about contrived reinforcement."

She's got stars in her eyes & knots on her knees now
Her crazy grass shift really sways in the breeze now

Tauzero  posted on  2008-07-05   1:59:50 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#91. To: orangedog (#89)

I'm as into fireworks as the next guy, but if I have to pick one more spent quarter mile rocket out of my yard that was launched from the people across the creek, I might have to break out the party favors I've been saving for taking out APCs when the shit hits the fan.

Barrett time?

Or something more serious?

Lod  posted on  2008-07-05   9:14:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#92. To: lodwick (#75)

The Institute for Justice -

www.ij.org

thank you for that link!

"...as long as there..remain active enemies of the Christian church, we may hope to become Master of the World...the future Jewish King will never reign in the world before Christianity is overthrown - B'nai B'rith speech http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/luther.htm / http://bible.cc/psalms/83-4.htm

AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt  posted on  2008-07-05   14:19:52 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#93. To: Rotara (#80)

The battle of armageddon has begun.

"...as long as there..remain active enemies of the Christian church, we may hope to become Master of the World...the future Jewish King will never reign in the world before Christianity is overthrown - B'nai B'rith speech http://www.biblebelievers.org.au/luther.htm / http://bible.cc/psalms/83-4.htm

AllTheKings'HorsesWontDoIt  posted on  2008-07-05   14:27:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


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