Cast Your Vote And Support Our Troops
On July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 British colonies along the Eastern Seaboard gathered in Philadelphia and adopted the world's greatest document against totalitarianism, the Declaration of Independence, which starts out as follows:
"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."
They had grown tired of a central government that denied them any true voice, but yet exploited them and their resources for all it was worth. Initially, even though initial skirmishes broke out between rebellious colonists and British troops, the First Continental Congress sought to reconcile with London, but as a true despot, King George III and his government ignored their pleas. Finally, with no other means at their disposal, they mutually pledged to each other "our Lives, our fortunes and our sacred Honor", knowing that once the King received and read the document, they would be hunted down and executed for treason against the Crown.
Several of them did pay dearly through the loss of life, family, and fortune, but thanks to their sacrifices and that of those who fought the British armed forces, freedom and justice eventually prevailed when, October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis's troops surrendered to General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. For a "blueblood" such as Corwallis, it was utterly humiliating to hand over his sabre to a mere colonial commoner. He wished to hand it to Washington's ally, LaFayette, but LaFayette ordered him to give it to Washington instead. Wouldn't you have liked to have seen that one for yourself? :)
While the road was rocky for the fledgling United States of America, and despite disputes over slavery, state's rights, civil rights, and everything else imaginable, our ancestors managed to build what has become the greatest nation on Earth.
The point of this whole blog is that thousands upon thousands of Americans gave everything, up to and including their own lives, so that you and I can live in a place where we can be free to speak, publish, assemble, and determine who will be our leaders at every level, local, state, and national.
How can you best honor them? Here's how:
- Register to vote. If you are at least 18 years of age with no felony convictions, then you are eligible. On the very day I turned 18, I went straight to the Snellville City Hall and registered to vote. For more information, contact your local registrar's office.
- VOTE!!! It doesn't matter what your beliefs are, who your favorite candidate is, or what or who is on the ballot. If you have registered, then get off your butt and vote.
Oh yeah... just one more thing before I go...
There are thousands of people in our armed forces all over the globe who would appreciate your support very much, regardless of how you feel about Bush, Iraq, or Afghanistan. One of them is my little brother Chris, a naval officer stationed at the Pentagon, and you better believe I support him. If you are an armed forces member who is reading this blog, please know that I appreciate you as well. :)
Thank you for your visit, have a happy and safe Independence Day holiday, and please visit again.
"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."
They had grown tired of a central government that denied them any true voice, but yet exploited them and their resources for all it was worth. Initially, even though initial skirmishes broke out between rebellious colonists and British troops, the First Continental Congress sought to reconcile with London, but as a true despot, King George III and his government ignored their pleas. Finally, with no other means at their disposal, they mutually pledged to each other "our Lives, our fortunes and our sacred Honor", knowing that once the King received and read the document, they would be hunted down and executed for treason against the Crown.
Several of them did pay dearly through the loss of life, family, and fortune, but thanks to their sacrifices and that of those who fought the British armed forces, freedom and justice eventually prevailed when, October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis's troops surrendered to General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. For a "blueblood" such as Corwallis, it was utterly humiliating to hand over his sabre to a mere colonial commoner. He wished to hand it to Washington's ally, LaFayette, but LaFayette ordered him to give it to Washington instead. Wouldn't you have liked to have seen that one for yourself? :)
While the road was rocky for the fledgling United States of America, and despite disputes over slavery, state's rights, civil rights, and everything else imaginable, our ancestors managed to build what has become the greatest nation on Earth.
The point of this whole blog is that thousands upon thousands of Americans gave everything, up to and including their own lives, so that you and I can live in a place where we can be free to speak, publish, assemble, and determine who will be our leaders at every level, local, state, and national.
How can you best honor them? Here's how:
- Register to vote. If you are at least 18 years of age with no felony convictions, then you are eligible. On the very day I turned 18, I went straight to the Snellville City Hall and registered to vote. For more information, contact your local registrar's office.
- VOTE!!! It doesn't matter what your beliefs are, who your favorite candidate is, or what or who is on the ballot. If you have registered, then get off your butt and vote.
Oh yeah... just one more thing before I go...
There are thousands of people in our armed forces all over the globe who would appreciate your support very much, regardless of how you feel about Bush, Iraq, or Afghanistan. One of them is my little brother Chris, a naval officer stationed at the Pentagon, and you better believe I support him. If you are an armed forces member who is reading this blog, please know that I appreciate you as well. :)
Thank you for your visit, have a happy and safe Independence Day holiday, and please visit again.
posted by Georgia Road Geek at
12:32 PM
