Re-Declaration of Independents (Independence) 2012

Perhaps because of the absence of the staff  (and their noisome behavior) some random thoughts and efforts from days past pushed their way forward. With all due respect to Thomas Jefferson, this little tidbit from days past found its way into my attention and I decided to put it forward once more.  It seems terribly appropriate.                                                       

About Congress July 4, 2012  
The Re-Declaration of Independence of the 50 Oppressed, but still United States of America

When in the course of government-controlled events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which connected them to what can no longer be considered a viable form of government, and to decry among the powers of the earth an intellectual position which has nothing to do with either The Laws of Nature or to Nature's God to which they are entitled, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that have separated them from such Tyranny and reconnected them with their own good Common Sense. 

We hold these truths to be evident to all but apparently a few misguided members of the Mainstream Media; that all men are created equal (in spite of the fact that some in their eyes appear to be more equal than others). That while they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, they are now often encouraged by Government and that same Media to show the lack of courage and good sense which allows them to relinquish those same rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; while simultaneously embracing the ridiculous concepts of the right to a good paying job, full medical care, a home that they can't afford, a smoke-free environment, and full amnesty and free education for illegal immigrants. 

That to secure such relinquishment, Governments are constantly and corruptly expanded in spite of Men, deriving their increasingly overreaching powers from the belief that an elite group of elected officials and non-elected bureaucrats are far smarter than they. That whenever any form of Government becomes aggressive in securing such twisted ends, it is the further Right of the People to be ignored by such Government, and for that Government to create new laws, rules, regulations, and taxes to exert such control over every aspect of a population so as make them into little more than a flock of bleating sheep; laying its foundation on previously committed abuses of power, and altering such rules or forms as may be deemed necessary to most likely protect their petty Government positions, overreaching authority, and lavish salaries and benefits. 

Prudence indeed will dictate that Governments, changing the rules as they go along, shall not be changed back by those in power, nor be challenged in such pursuits for light, transient, or any other causes for that matter. Accordingly, all experience has shown that once such Government has been insidiously instituted, that mankind becomes gradually more disposed to suffer the most insufferable of evils rather than to right a ship of state that has listed so far from its original purpose that the deck may no longer be stood upon. 

But when a long train of abuse and usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under all but absolute Despotism, it should be their right and their duty to throw off such Government, excepting that such would require far too many of what has become little more than flock of sheeple to remove their morbidly obese, overstuffed faces from the Government trough. Such is now the patient suffering of the people of these States and is now the necessity which constrains them, as the Federal government seeks to alter the last bit of freedom and liberty left in this nation in order to fully embrace the concept that the lack of need for honest labor, for self-reliance, and for personal responsibility are no longer essential to their continued happiness. 

To prove this, let the Facts of our Government be submitted to a candid world. It has confiscated the legitimately earned money of some to in turn give it to others; outside the rule of law, the concept of a legally binding contracts, and the definition of property rights as understood in law for many centuries. 

It has favored Union workers over legitimate investors when dividing up private corporations that it had no right to divide in any way, let alone as it sees fit. It has fired the chief executives of private companies with neither the vote nor approval of that company's Board of Directors. It has forced private companies to accept government funding, and with it government control of its operation. 

It has forced both sale and merger on private companies at the point of a financial gun and the threat of never-ending government-funded investigation and a full-throated, government-backed, negative media campaign. It has appointed the equivalent of government royalty (more commonly known as Czars) to run aspects of private business without either lawful election or the legislative confirmation required of it under the document which defines it. 

It has sought to make equal not the opportunity of all, but the results of all through wealth re-distribution in the form of ill-disguised, onerous, and oppressive taxation. 

Not blameless by any means, in every stage of these Oppressions we citizens have sat idly by for the most part, ignorant by choice to the assault on liberty and freedom and numb to the abuses of power committed upon us. Those few who have humbly begged for a return to Common Sense and a Redress of such past ills as have been committed have been universally maligned and unmercifully vilified for their efforts by both those in power and by the members of the so-called fourth estate who willingly do their bidding. 

We the few who remain standing in righteous indignation therefore, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for rectitude of our intentions, do in the Name, and by the Authority granted us under the original Declaration of Independence, and by the Constitution which it, and by which our Government was designed (and most especially limited), solemnly publish and declare ourselves in opposition to the destruction of freedoms and liberties being perpetrated on us at an ever increasing pace in this country. 

We further declare that we will Peacefully resist further oppression of its people and perversion of its laws to the best of our abilities, and if need be to our final breath. We undertake this endeavor humbly, but firm in our resolve, firm in the belief of our principles, and firm with the knowledge of the rightness of our cause as God has given us the light to see it.

4th of July - 2011

It's the eve of the Fourth of July, but I find myself in anything but a mood to celebrate as I write this. For it seems that even this holiday has become a caricature of celebration. Few enjoying their 3-day weekend know or remember that we celebrate this day as 'The National Holiday' because it's the anniversary of the publishing of the Declaration of Independence.  

(Not, as some would like to believe the signing. My own historical research concludes that fewer than 34 of the 56 who would eventually sign the document did so on July 4th, or even in July.) 

So while I look forward to rousing Sousa marches played live with flawless precision (or previously recorded and carefully broadcast) so as to be in perfect synchronization with lavish pyrotechnic displays; this enthusiasm is tempered by the disgust that I feel over the 'Independence Day' sales going on everywhere from the local mattress store to J C Penney. While stirred by the postings of fellow bloggers expressing patriotic sentiments in exemplary prose, it's tempered by the self-serving efforts in the Mainstream Media that are designed as much to promote some celebrities latest album, book, or movie as to inspire national fervor; forcing me to change the channel in order to keep down my latest meal. 

As for the government that was took its first steps with the writing of this document, I believe that the signers would have trouble recognizing it. Perhaps only those who sought to relieve themselves from the oppressive burden of government could truly understand what a sad mess we've made of their efforts 235 years ago. Confiscation of property (whether through taxation or eminent domain), selective enforcement of laws legitimately passed by the legislature, and a ruling elite who believe that they are better than those they were intended to serve; these were the things that they sought to escape ... not perpetrate. 

As for where that government finds itself financially, if the wisest of them were able to come to grips with the concept of a trillion dollars, I dare say that the idea of whether the government ought to have a limit of $14 or $16 trillion in debt would be beyond their comprehension. Incredulity as well, would be their reaction to the concept that the United States is obligated to the world's policeman and peacekeeper when no one else in the world seems to be willing or able to pay little more than lip service to such concepts. They would find the questionable legality of such a concept is as ludicrous as it is laughable. 

And lest my lack of enthusiasm for many of the recent US adventures around the world be confused with a lack of patriotism, I think that those who placed themselves in personal jeopardy would understand that my support for troops serving around the world cannot be judged by a demand that I buy into the current brand of nation-building in places far removed from these United States.

For I have come to the conclusion on this most important of National Holidays that I am every bit the Patriot, though I may not be so in a way not traditionally defined as such. "My country right or wrong!" ... Yes and no. Yes, this is my country and I am proud of it. Not right or wrong however. The Founders knew well that it's the right and obligation of true Patriots not to accept the actions of government that they consider incorrect or unjust merely because they are 'national policy'. They should be standing firmly against such oppressive incursions whenever they occur. 

It's likewise time to recognize that partisan debate is not only good, but Patriotic. This country was founded on the idea that other points of view might have value and should be vigorously debated, and defended by those who hold them. Compromise is not a good in itself, nor is it Patriotic. Where such compromise is reached it, its judgment must be able to stand on its own. Conceding ground, political or otherwise, is not something intrinsically of value. Agreeing to disagree and setting an issue aside for a time must return to the political discourse as a viable option. 

Neither is it Patriotic that fairness be striven for as a goal, except in opportunity. It is far too difficult a concept to grasp, and like beauty, resides in the eye of the beholder. As for government-mandated fairness; it's time that we recognized that such a term is an oxymoron. The heavy hand of government is far too blunt an instrument to perform such a task, unless the goal that we're seeking is an equilibrium that's unfair to all. 

Let me finally say that the Cynic in me likewise sees no value in flag-waving and crocodile tears over the National Anthem for some of the once-a-year Patriots that come out on the 4th. Don't belittle those who won't wear a Red, White, and Blue T-shirt with message that you approve of in observance. Don't insist they wave a flag where and when you want them to in order to show a belief in the United States of America. Don't challenge them to put something on their Facebook page or attend an event of your choosing in order to prove their patriotism to you. Such politically correct patriotism is an offense to the term. 

The Patriotism of the 4th of July is ultimately about taking a principled stand, even if it disagrees with those around you.

Take your own stand, and have a great 4th of July!

Re-Declaration of Independence

I found this in the 'Just Blowing Smoke' archives while digging around for something else, and decided to shine it up a bit for re-publishing on a day that usually tries to find me keeping it in a bit of a lighter mood. I hope you enjoy it ...

About Congress July 4, 2011 The Re-Declaration of Independence of the 50 Oppressed, but still United States of America

When in the course of government-controlled events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which connected them to what can no longer be considered a viable form of government, and to decry among the powers of the earth an intellectual position which has nothing to do with either The Laws of Nature or to Nature's God to which they are entitled, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that have separated them from such Tyranny and reconnected them with their own good Common Sense. 

We hold these truths to be evident to all apparently but a few misguided members of the Mainstream Media; that all men are created equal, some of course being more equal than others. That while they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, they are now encouraged by Government and the Mainstream Media to show the lack of courage and good sense which thereby allows them to relinquish those same rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; while simultaneously embracing the ridiculous concepts of the right to a good paying job, full medical care, a home that they can't make the payments on, a smoke-free environment, and full amnesty and free education for illegal immigrants. That to secure such relinquishment, Governments are corruptly expanded in spite of Men, deriving their increasingly overbearing powers from the belief that elected officials and non-elected bureaucrats are far smarter than they. That whenever any form of Government becomes aggressive in securing such twisted ends, it is the further Right of the People to be ignored by such Government, and for that Government to create new laws, rules, regulations, and taxes to exert further control over a population that has become little more than a flock of bleating sheep; laying its foundation on previously committed abuses of power, and altering such rules or forms as may be deemed necessary to most likely protect their petty Government positions, authority, and lavish salaries and benefits. Prudence indeed will dictate that Governments, changing the rules as they go along, shall not be changed back, nor be challenged in such pursuits for light, transient, or any other causes for that matter. Accordingly, all experience has shown that once such Government has been instituted, that mankind becomes more disposed to suffer the most insufferable of evils rather than to right a ship of state that has listed so far from its original purpose that the deck may no longer be stood upon. But when a long train of abuse and usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under all but absolute Despotism, it should be their right and their duty to throw off such Government, excepting that such would require far too many of what has become little more than sheeple to remove their morbidly obese, overstuffed faces from the Government trough. Such is now the patient suffering of the people of these States and is now the necessity which constrains them, as the Federal government seeks to alter the last bit of freedom and liberty left in this nation in order to fully embrace the concept that the lack of need for honest labor, for self-reliance, and for personal responsibility are essential to their continued happiness. 

To prove this, let the Facts of our Government be submitted to a candid world. It has confiscated the legitimately earned money of some to in turn give it to others; outside the rule of law, the concept of a legally binding contracts, and the definition of property rights as understood in law for many centuries. 

It has favored Union workers over legitimate investors when dividing up private corporations that it had no right to divide in any way, let alone as it sees fit. It has fired the chief executives of private companies with neither the vote nor approval of that company's Board of Directors. It has forced private companies to accept government funding, and with it government control. 

It has forced both sale and merger on private companies at the point of a financial gun and the threat of a full-throated, government backed, negative media campaign. It has appointed the equivalent of government royalty (more commonly known as Czars) without either lawful election or legislative branch confirmation required of it under the document which defines it. 

It has sought to make equal not the opportunity of all, but the results of all through wealth distribution in the form of ill-disguised, onerous, and oppressive taxation. 

In every stage of these Oppressions, we citizens have sat idly by for the most part, ignorant by choice to the assault on liberty and freedom, and numb to the abuses of power committed upon us. Those few who have humbly begged for a return to Common Sense and a Redress of such past ills as have been committed have been universally maligned and unmercifully vilified for their efforts by both those in power and by the members of the so-called fourth estate. 

We the few remaining therefore, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for rectitude of our intentions, do in the Name, and by the Authority granted us under the original Declaration of Independence, and by the Constitution on which our Government was designed (and limited), solemnly publish and declare ourselves in opposition to the destruction of freedoms and liberties being perpetrated on us at an ever increasing pace in this country. 

We further declare that we will Peacefully resist further oppression of its people and perversion of its laws to the best of our abilities, and if need be to our final breath. We undertake this endeavor humbly, but firm in our resolve, firm in the belief of our principles, and firm with the knowledge of the rightness of our cause as God has given us the light to see it.

Declaration of Independence: 2009

This is what can happen when you take one of the most important documents in this country's history and likewise one of it's greatest holidays, and let them get tangled up with sarcasm, irony, and the twisted mind of someone like ... me. I hope you enjoy it.

 
About Congress July 4, 2009  

The Re-Declaration of Independence of the 50 Oppressed United States of America

When in the course of government controlled events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which connected them to a viable form of government, and to assume among the powers of the earth an intellectual position which has nothing to do with either The Laws of Nature or to Nature's God to which they are entitled, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes that have separated them from their own good Common Sense.  

We hold these truths to be evident to all apparently but right wing talk radio hosts, that all men are created equal, some of course being more equal than others. That while they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, they are encouraged by Government and the Mainstream Media to a lack of courage and good sense which thereby allows them to relinquish those same rights: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; while simultaneously embracing the the ridiculous concepts of the right to a good paying job, to full medical care, to a home that they can't make the payments on, to a smoke-free environment, and to full amnesty for illegal immigration.  

That to secure such relinquishment, Governments are corruptly expanded in spite of Men, deriving their overbearing powers from the belief that elected officials and bureaucrats are far smarter than the rest of us. That whenever any form of Government becomes aggressive in securing such twisted ends, it is the further Right of the People to be ignored by such Government, and for that Government to create new laws, rules, and regulations to exert further control over a population that has become little more the bleating sheep; laying its foundation on previously committed abuses of power, and altering such rules or forms as may be deemed necessary to most likely protect their petty Government positions, salaries, and benefits.  

Prudence indeed will dictate that Governments, changing the rules as they go along, shall not be changed back, nor challenged for light, transient, or any other causes. Accordingly all experience has shown that once such Government has been instituted, that mankind becomes more disposed to suffer the most insufferable of evils rather than to right a ship of state that has listed so far to the left that the deck may no longer be stood upon. 

But when a long train of abuse and usurpation pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under all but absolute Despotism, it should be their right and their duty to throw off such Government, excepting that such would mean that doing so would require far too many of what has become little more than sheeple to remove their overstuffed faces from the Government trough.  

Such is now the patient suffering of the people of these states and is now the necessity which constrains them, as the Federal government seeks to alter the last bit of freedom and liberty left in this nation in order to fully embrace the concept that a lack of need for honest labor, for self-reliance, and for personal responsibility are essential to their continued happiness. 

To prove this, let the Facts of our Government be submitted to a candid world. It has confiscated the legitimate property of some to in turn give it to others; outside the rule of law, the concept of a legally binding contracts, and the definition of property It has favored Union workers over legitimate investors when dividing up private corporations that it has no right to divide in any way, let alone as it sees fit. It has fired the chief executives of private companies with neither the vote nor approval of that company's Board of Directors. It has forced private companies to accept government funding, and with it government control. It has forced both sale and merger on private companies at the point of a financial gun and the threat of a full forced, government backed negative media campaign. It has appointed the equivalent of government royalty (more commonly known as czars) without either lawful election or legislative branch confirmation. It has sought to make equal not opportunity of all, but the results of all through wealth distribution in the form of ill-disguised onerous and oppressive taxation. 

In every stage of these Oppressions, we citizens have sat idly by for the most part, ignorant by choice to the assault on liberty, and freedom and numb to the abuses of power committed upon them. Those few who have humbly begged for a return to common sense and a redress of such past ills as have been committed have been universally maligned and unmercifully vilified for their efforts by both those in power and by the members of the so-called fourth estate.  

We the few remaining therefore, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for rectitude of our intentions, do in the Name, and by the Authority granted us under the original Declaration of Independence, and by the Constitution on which our Government was designed (and limited), solemnly publish and declare ourselves in opposition to the destruction of freedoms and liberties being perpetrated on us at an ever increasing pace in this country. We further declare that we will peacefully resist further oppression of its people and perversion of its laws to the best of our abilities, and if need be to our final breath. We undertake this endeavor humbly, but firm in our resolve, firm in the belief of our principles, and with the knowledge of the rightness of our cause as God has given us the light to see it.  

I believe that most of you reading this see its point, and for those of you who do not, there is probably little further that I can do to open your eyes. I will at least wish you happy grazing in the years ahead. As for me, I have now taken my stand and issued my own Declaration of Independence. Let the fireworks begin!

Happy 4th of July


 

Happy 4th: The Tomb of the Unknowns

Many will be posting today about fireworks and picnics, family gatherings and parades, and these are all wonderful subjects in which I too hope to participate over the holiday. I am going to choose instead on a day that I don't normally post, to pass on a bit of obscure information that I was able to dig up from a number of websites out there on a little more somber subject, the monument to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to provide the very independence that we celebrate on this day.

This came home to me while recently attending a Reunion in Quantico, VA of my late father's Marine Corp Battalion (something that I did last year ). During the trip this year, we visited the grave site of their commanding officer, Colonel Peck, in Arlington National Cemetery. While touring the cemetery, we passed, but did not stop, at the Tomb of the Unknowns, something that I had hoped to do and truly regret foregoing. We were on the way to the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks on 8th & I however, and one does not keep the Marines waiting. I promise that I will regale you in the future with some of the other things I was exposed to during that visit, but in the meantime, I would like to share with you some of what you might never have known, and I was recently enlightened about: 

Tomb of the Unknowns
 

 

1. The tomb contains the unidentified remains of a soldier who served in: World War I, World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam, and has been guarded continuously since 1930.
2. The Guards are members of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard), and wear no rank insignia on their uniforms while on duty so as not to outrank one of those lying in the Tomb.
3. The Guards take 21 steps, in recognition of the 21 gun salute; the highest honor given anyone in the military or any foreign dignitary.
4. Upon completion of those steps, the guards hesitate 21 seconds in memory of that same honor, turns 90 degrees and hesitates again for 21 seconds, before completing another 90 degrees and hesitates one more time before resuming his march.
5. The Guards march with moistened gloves to prevent the gun from slipping from their grasp while on duty.
6. Guards are changed every 30 minutes; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
7. The guards always carry the rifle on the shoulder furthest from the tomb. This move places the sentinel between the tomb and any threat.
8. The Guards of the Tomb, an honor currently carried by just over 500 people, is awarded only after careful examination (and noted by the award of a wreath pin). They subsequently live under very strict guidelines for the rest of their lives.
9. For the first 6 months of this duty, guards spend most of their free time learning of the most notable people buried in Arlington in preparation for their exam. With their rigorous training, hours of marching, and rifle drill, they have little time for anything else.
10. Each guard spends five hours each day getting his uniforms ready for this duty.
11. In 2003, as Hurricane Isabella approached Washington and while Congress took 2 days off in anticipation of the dangers of this storm, these guards stood their duty. Soaked to the skin, they continued to march their rounds in the pelting rain of a tropical storm. They had been offered the opportunity to suspend this assignment; but refused, stating that such duty was not simply an assignment, but was the highest honor afforded to a serving member of the military.

Honor indeed to those of our troops serving in defense of freedom around the world today, to those who have in every conflict where Americans have served, and to those who gave all for the men that they served with and for their country.

(Keep an eye out for an additional posting relating to the Holiday as my regular Saturday effort.)