TwistedCU
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Happy Independence Day Jeepz! With it falling on a Wednesday I imagine many are just doing what we are doing... taking a much needed day off and enjoying time together.
Enjoy, and remember that we have what we have as long as we keep it. Be the squeaky wheel to your elected officials. Vote in every election. Keep and bear arms.
I think that the Immigration bill that just failed did so because of the flood of calls and emails to the offices of our public servants. When they forget they are there to serve their society they need to be reminded that we value our freedom and anyone who jeopardizes it will be unemployed next term
Oh, and by the way... this is July 4th for any of you too indoctrinated to know what "Independence Day" is because it is too often referred to as the 4th of July :lol:
Seriously though... enjoy your day! Remember that in a room of indecision and amongst many differing views, a man stood up and risked his life to encourage our forefathers to stand up for themselves against tyranny...
March 23, 1775
By Patrick Henry
No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as
abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house.
But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and,
therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those
gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to
theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This
is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful
moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less
than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the
magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in
this way that we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the
great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep
back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should
consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act
of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all
earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of
hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to
the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the
part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide
for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp
of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the
past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the
conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those
hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and
the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been
lately received?
Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not
yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious
reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which
cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to
a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling
to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?
Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and
subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen,
sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to
submission? Can gentlement assign any other possible motive for it?
Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for
all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They
are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to
bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have
been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try
argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we
anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject
up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall
we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech
you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be
done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we
have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves
before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the
tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been
slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult;
our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with
contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things,
may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean
to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have
been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble
struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged
ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest
shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An
appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us,
sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next
year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard
shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but
irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance
by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of
hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not
weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature
hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause
of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are
invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we
shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides
over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our
battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to
the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election.
If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from
the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our
chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!
The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extentuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace,
Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale
that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of
resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here
idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so
dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and
slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take;
but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Enjoy, and remember that we have what we have as long as we keep it. Be the squeaky wheel to your elected officials. Vote in every election. Keep and bear arms.
I think that the Immigration bill that just failed did so because of the flood of calls and emails to the offices of our public servants. When they forget they are there to serve their society they need to be reminded that we value our freedom and anyone who jeopardizes it will be unemployed next term
Oh, and by the way... this is July 4th for any of you too indoctrinated to know what "Independence Day" is because it is too often referred to as the 4th of July :lol:
Seriously though... enjoy your day! Remember that in a room of indecision and amongst many differing views, a man stood up and risked his life to encourage our forefathers to stand up for themselves against tyranny...
March 23, 1775
By Patrick Henry
No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as
abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house.
But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and,
therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those
gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to
theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This
is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful
moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less
than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the
magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in
this way that we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the
great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep
back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should
consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act
of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all
earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of
hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to
the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the
part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide
for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp
of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the
past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the
conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those
hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and
the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been
lately received?
Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not
yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious
reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which
cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to
a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling
to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?
Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and
subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen,
sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to
submission? Can gentlement assign any other possible motive for it?
Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for
all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They
are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to
bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have
been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try
argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we
anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject
up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall
we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech
you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be
done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we
have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves
before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the
tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been
slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult;
our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with
contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things,
may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean
to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have
been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble
struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged
ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest
shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An
appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us,
sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next
year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard
shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but
irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance
by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of
hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not
weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature
hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause
of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are
invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we
shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides
over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our
battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to
the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election.
If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from
the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our
chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!
The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extentuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace,
Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale
that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of
resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here
idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so
dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and
slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take;
but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
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Happy 4th and let us not forget the people that are fighting and have fought for our country.
