Mo's Manic Monday - Independence

Posted: Monday, July 02, 2007 by Travis Cody in
27



Welcome to another Manic Monday with Mo. And big thanks to Morgen for the wonderful banner. Don't forget to cruise by MM HQ at It's A Blog Eat Blog World. Today's theme is Independence.

I'm a geek. Every year at this time I read the Declaration of Independence. Why? Because it is the fundamental document of our country. The Constitution is critical to our daily lives as it sets out the basic structure of our government and gives us as citizens the power to affect the way we are governed.

But the Declaration reminds us how we got here. It spells out the desire of people to be free and in control of their own destiny. Two hundred thirty one years ago, events were set in motion by the signing of a Declaration of Independence. Our forefathers declared to the world what they intended. And then they went and did what they declared. The document is stirring and powerful, and I feel a surge of pride and patriotism each time I read it.

That's the point of reading it. I want to be reminded and I want to understand. These times are divisive. It's important to remember that the writers of the Declaration and the framers of the Constitution specifically understood the diversity of the people who would reside in this new country they were founding. We do not all think alike, and because we don't, we developed this wonderful idea of democracy.

Democracy works because of our diversity, and yet we seem more and more these days to want everyone to be and think and live the same. That's not going to happen. And it shouldn't.

What the Declaration reminds us is that we can come together in our differences to find a new way, a better way, a more universal way. And we can only do that in freedom from tyranny and despotism. We must care enough to listen. In listening to our diverse opinions, we must find a common ground. We must not force others to our opinions, but rather we must learn about the way others perceive and find worthy compromises.

OK. I'm a geek and an idealist. But I firmly believe that we must be willing to listen to each other and accept our differences. We're all Americans. We all descend from this wonderful document. This Declaration of Independence set the stage for difference and diversity of thought.

Take a few minutes and go read it here.

We make mistakes. We do. But when we do, when we've lost our way, we must return to center. This document defines who we are as a nation. We are Americans.

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. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.



27 comments:

  1. Great food for pondering, my friend. Thanks for the reminder that independence and freedom are not to be taken lightly.

  1. Anonymous says:

    wow, that is a wonderful post. I am thoroughly impressed that you read the Declaration of Independence each year!! Happy MM.

  1. Gattina says:

    What should I say ! I am not american but know the text and now I should read it all over again on almost ALL blogs ! Anyway happy Independence day !
    In Belgium we celebrate on July 21 and it's called "National Day" the festivities are almost the same.

  1. A geek? Hardly! I think it's a fantastic idea. I watched Jay Leno the other night - the "Jay-Walking" segment. Nearly turned my stomach. People couldn't even answer who America won their independence from! An older gentlement answered all the questions correctly w/o hesitating, while a college "teacher" said we got our independence in 1922...SCARY!

  1. Ian says:

    Good food for thought, Travis.

    Ian

  1. excellent post Travis... nicely done...

  1. Schmoop says:

    It is a great document indeed. Too bad certain folks are trying to water it down and mangle it. Cheers Trav...

  1. wonderful post trav! we all got here the same way and have our own unique differences and that is good. we are not forced to think alike. and that is good. we are allowed certain freedoms and that is good. but we came here legally. and honestly. and we worked and toiled. and we learned ENGLISH!!! and our grandparents were PROUD to be americans and that their children spoke english. my grandparents came from italy and my father and his brothers and sisters were only allowed to speak english in their home. they were americans. and not hyphenated americans either, just americans.

    sorry, i guess i got out on a rant trav. got any cake honey?

    smiles, bee

  1. Unknown says:

    That´s a wonderful take on the independence theme, Mr Trav!

  1. Great post Travis, even we can see eye to eye on some things, smile.

  1. Unknown says:

    very thought provoking, nice one Trav.
    btw, you are one of the 1st recipients of a new award (no snipping required) drop on by and check it out!

  1. Yowzers. I've never met anyone who has ever read TDOI outside of school. That's kind of impressive Trav.

    But yeah-you are a geek. ;)

    Love ya!

  1. Anonymous says:

    I agree to my hooman mommy - it´s a wonderful take on the theme! We both like the idea of reading the Declaration Of Independence each year!

    *whoof*

  1. Sandee says:

    Very, very well said Travis. Have a happy and safe Independence Day. :)

  1. Awesome post. I am also impressed that you read the declaration of independence. Awesome! I could recite a lot of it in school. But, sadly I no longer know it.

    Happy MM, and hope you have a great 4th!

  1. Shelby says:

    Happy Monday:)

    I tagged you! I hope you don't mind doing memes... come see..

  1. let us never forget. nice post geek. (smile)

  1. Danielle says:

    Count me as a fellow geek as I also reread the Declaration of Independence. I am an idealist at heart but have become a realistic idealist.

    As always...

  1. Mary says:

    Very good post and food for thought :)

  1. Meribah says:

    Hey, geeks are good! Of course, I'm a geek too! LOL I liked your post. It's definitely food for thought. :)

  1. Songbird: Independence Day is about why we are Americans. We should understand that.

    Teg: Thanks!

    Gattina: Happy National Day!

    Gracie: It's ridiculous isn't it?

    Ian: Yup.

    V: Thank you Sir.

    Matt: Too bad indeed.

    Bee: I will find you some CAKE my dear. You are eloquent as always.

    Sanni: Thanks darlin!

    Sarge: This might be the most important thing that we can agree on.

  1. Pauline: I'll be by soon!

    Mags: LOL! Guilty of geekdom!

    Jersey: It's a good idea isn't it?

    Comedy: Right back atcha.

    CWM: I've always been fascinated by the document.

    Shelby: I'll be by in a bit to check it out.

    Katherine: Heehee.

    Danielle: I deal with the reality too, but sometimes I let the idealist out of the cage for a day or two.

    Mert: Thanks!

    Meri: Even puppies should remember what it takes to be independent.

  1. Unknown says:

    Very nice, Travis. I think it's great that you read this annually. I think it's a great idea. Thanks for sharing that beautiful reflection!!

  1. Julie says:

    Wow I am impressed! I never found a geek so umm....ummm....well okay I'll NOT say it!

    Great post Travis!

  1. NOLADawn says:

    Wow, I know the Declaration of Independence (thankyouverymuch School House Rock!) but to read it every year... you Rock!

  1. Anonymous says:

    beatiful

    I wish more people felt that way.

  1. Foofa says:

    I too am a big fan of the Declaration. The constitution is, of course, great as well but it was supposed to be rewritten every 10 years or so, which never happened and I think it could maybe use some rewriting vs. amending. The Declaration stands up through time and is quite powerful.