Independence Day
The Declaration of Independence
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 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…
Independence wasn’t really achieved until September 3, 1783 when Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, and, to be factual, our current government only dates from March 4, 1789 when the first government under our Constitution was installed.
Liberty was not extended to all men until December 6, 1865 with ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery, nor were women given the one of the most important rights of men until August 26, 1920 with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment recognizing their votes.
In truth, until July 2, 1964 when Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, there was no mechanism to force government to recognize the rights of all American citizens.
Note: John Trumbull’s well known painting is not historically accurate, but every society has its creation myths.
8 comments
Waiting for Palin or Bachmann to discuss the “incontenental” congress.
That would be the one currently serving 😉
Ohhhh Lord!! You HAD to mention the two most ignorant politicians in the USA! I was watching TDS a few days ago, and he decided to show a couple examples of Bachmann’s total ignorance. The first was in her home town of Waterloo Iowa, where she stated that she had the same “kind of spirit” as John Wayne who (she said) was from Waterloo Iowa also! Well… yes… and NO! John-Wayne Gacy WAS from her home town (and probably explains a lot)! Funny how some people can speak the truth accidentally. 😈
She then admitted in an CNN interview after her atypically blissfully ignorant statement: “People can make mistakes and I wish I could be perfect every time I say something, but I can’t,” Bachmann told CNN. “Of course, the main point I was making are the sensibilities of John Wayne, which is patriotism, love of country, standing up for our nation, that positive enthusiasm is what America’s all about”.
(what a moron! I’d truly be amazed if she didn’t *make a mistake* every time she opened her mouth!) However, even *if* the Actor, John Wayne, was indeed from Waterloo Iowa, stating that she has the same *spirit* as a man who stated in an interview that “Native Americans were ‘selfish’ for trying to keep their land from being taken from them when the white people were expanding and needed new land.” He also stated that he believed “in white supremacy until blacks are educated to a point of responsibility.” And let us not forget that John Wayne had any number of high-profile affairs, was known as a very mean drunk and (allegedly) liked to hit women. Yes, yes… the perfect role model for any aspiring Presidential candidate! LMAO What a moron (did I mention that?) 😛
But one typically ignorant and stupid statement by Bachmann that I really like, is: When she stated that “the founding fathers who wrote the constitution and deceleration of independence worked tirelessly to end slavery…” and when even Faux bobble heads pointed out that that was wrong, then said: “If you look at one of the founding fathers, John Quincy Adams, that’s absolutely true.” LMAO Even *I* know that JQ Adams was *NOT a founding father (and as Jon said, he would have been about 9 at the time)! LMAO
But you know… I’d really looove to see Bachmann as Prez of the USA!! Oh… the endless hilarity of it! Far better even than Bushmoron Jr! 😆
Ya know… without US politicians, there would be almost no hilarity in the World! 😈
I won’t mention *the other moron*… for now! I’ll save her for a rainy day! 😆 😛
Ehhh… yeah… Happy Independence Day. Whatever. It’s working out real well for yous! 😐
Oops! 😉 “deceleration of independence” –> “declaration of independence”. Doh! 😐
Hmmmm… Then again, that could have been a very apropos Freudian slip! 😉
The current Republican lineup for the Presidency is Crazy White Lady and the Seven Dwarfs. *NOT* going to be a Disney movie anytime soon, yo.
– Badtux the Snarky Penguin
I didn’t bring them up, I try to forget they exist. I avoid freak shows – they are so dehumanizing for everyone involved.
But it’s like watching a train wreck, Bryan, or a tornado striking a hospital. Sure, it’s a horrible thing to see… but if you can pull your eyes away from it as it’s happening, you’re a better man than me.
When you live in South Fundistan you have your own tornadoes and train wrecks to deal with and don’t need to watch other people’s.