Over the last year, I’ve been on something of a Revolutionary War era kick, reading (audiobook)-wise. Having read biographies of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, even Jackson, as well as other tales of their era, I have both a greater appreciation for them as men — flawed, brilliant, powerful, wise, foolish — and for what they managed to accomplish in the creation of this country.
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. —That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —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, laying its foundation
on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.[…] We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain,
is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
So, hearkening back to the very birth of the United States as a nation, Happy Independence Day to all. May the principles of freedom in the Declaration of Independence, and in the later Constitution, be ever in mind in these times, troubled as they always are.
UPDATE: Memories from Ginny. Power and pride from David. The radical solution from DOF. Quotes and jerks from De.
Ah, yes. The E’ed Pebnista!
I believe it is, properly, E Plebnista. Though, of course, it’s not a written language, so the spelling may be up to interpretation.
Well, I’ve always said “Eed plebnista,” but a google search turned up too many spelling variations for confirmation, so I turned to the James Blish adaptation, and went with his spelling. I probably should watched the episode again to hear it for myself, but sitting through “The Omega Glory” just didn’t seem all that appealing, ya know?
Actually, aside from the insane premise, it’s got a number of good moments, and some great scenery-chewing from all concerned.
You miss point. Yangs and Comms parallel to cold war. Yankees (U.S.) and Communists (U.S.S.R.)
Freedom!
Hey, aren’t you chief? Also son of chief?
The “insane premise” is a planet with Yanks and Commies complete with American flags and the Constitution. Not a parallel, but the very same symbols and documents (and identical handwriting). All that, and Spock never comments that the locals speak languages just like on Earth … (if they have English, presumably the Comms speak Chinese).
For that matter, could you have all of that without geological identity as well? But the planet sure doesn’t look like Earth. (The same criticisms apply to “Bread & Circuses,” the Roman planet episode.)
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