THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.
These are Paine's words from the beginning of a series of speeches and essays that he wrote about the plight of the colonies and our fledgling country breaking away from the grip that England held upon them.
Many of the things that Paine writes about have meaning to us now, 231 years later, because what it seems that the current government is doing to the people similar things.
This light reading for the weekend. I invite you to the site where all of Paine's works are archived. THIS SITE has the essays and articles of Thomas Paine. His most famous was "Common Sense", but he wrote wa series of articles over a period of time called "The Crisis". I invite you to read at your liesure.
The point of this exercise is to hopefully let the reader see that the public citizen holds in their own hands the toolds to affect change.
As this reverts to my goal here at this Peace blog, I hope it inspires some to take more action and help stop the war.
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5 comments:
what is the price of freedom and peace? i think that we all have to ask ourselves how much we are willing to pay to have them. are they worth the mcmansion and the suv? are they worth the convenience of dollar stores and digital everything? are they worth leaving to our children, grandchildren,and future generations?
Sometimes I feel like Cassandra prophesying to deaf or jeering ears, or a voice crying in the wilderness where no one hears. People do not want to hear unpleasantness; they want to remain oblivious to the approaching forest fires while they watch American Idol or Desperate Housewives; they will not stir until the flames lick at their feet.
However, we must persevere; we cannot give up. For the sake of our children and grandchildren and their futures (including Gracie's) we must continue the fight.
Since gettin sitemeter, I am encouraged. I knew I had lurkers because some of them email me. They will not comment but email me directly. Yet it appeared that no one visited my war blogs and darned few the political blog. But sitemeter tells me I have far more visitors than I knew. So people are reading; the word is being spread, even if they do not comment.
Keep on blogging, Spadoman.Keep on marching with your sign. Keep on telling people.
There were many letters and papers as our country was formed, they were posted in town squares for others to read, debate etc.. They are interesting reads to anyone wanting to know more of how our country was formed.
Peace my friend!
SpadoBro, Just included this wonderful new Peace Initiative in the API, Fellow Scholars section of my links!
We old warriors, the Chiefs now, as it were, must pick up the pen in lieu of the sword, and carry the fight to end the fight.
God help us and preserve us, for I for one, have no wish to return to the gun, but I will if no other option remains.
Bless you and yours, My Brother.
d.
Spadoman, I have added this blog as links on both my war blogs. I hope you pick up some readers from them.
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