The Spirit of Rebellion

Happy Independence Day, brethren.

We’re putting it all back up. And no modern art, either.

11 comments:

David Foster said...

A reasonable first cut at the list. I'd also like to see:

--some businesspeople & inventors, especially those who also made other major contributions. How about George Westinghouse (known for his good treatment of employees as well as his inventions and business-building and Matthias Baldwin, abolitionist as well as founder of the Baldwin Locomotive Works (his statue was among those attacked recently)?

--People who fought for freedom of speech and of the press, such as the publisher John Peter Zenger. (Although he pre-dated the establishment of the US as an independenct nation) A Liberty Ship was named after him in WWII..we studied him in elementary school..haven't heard too much about him lately, for some strange reason.

--some American Indian leaders, perhaps Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull...yes, they fought against the United States, but there are times it can be appropriate to honor a former enemy. (I understand that the British named warships after French ships that had put up a particularly good fight)



Assistant Village Idiot said...

Ted Cruz was on it with his tweet about Bernie Sanders.

Eric Blair said...

I'm not sure you can resurrect the idea of statues for public figures. But go ahead and try. You miss all the shots you don't take.

raven said...

My faith has been restored. With the chi-com flu shutting down shipping, and the Indian fireworks stands on the res running at half speed, I was sure our usual bombardment would be mild. Instead, between the black power cannons, the gunfire and egregiously illegal homemade devices, it sounds like Khe Sanh. How delightfully refreshing to hear so many, having so much fun, so illegally!
And probably not a one of them with face diaper on.

Grim said...

Apparently Occupied Los Angeles had a good run tonight too.

https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1279636803037925377?s=21

ymarsakar said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rg2vkz72a8

This song is so funny for this age and year.

ymarsakar said...

My loyalty and love is all reserved for a kingdom not of this earth, a nation that is not in the United Nations.

So I'll let Q drop the patriotism speech.

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There was a time when our children stood at attention, and with pride, put their hand on their heart, and in one UNITED voice, recited the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
There was a time when STRENGTH and HONOR meant something.
There was a time when standing for our FLAG meant something.
There was a time when our history (heritage) was taught with PRIDE and RESPECT.
There was a time when respect was given to those who serve(d), bled, and died to protect and defend our FREEDOM.
There was a time when we were GRATEFUL.
There was a time when our ACCOMPLISHMENTS meant something.
There was a time when these UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, was UNITED.
There was a time when these UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, was UNITED UNDER THE AMERICAN FLAG.
A FLAG THAT WAS CARRIED IN BATTLE BY BRAVE PATRIOTS AS A SYMBOL OF FREEDOM & JUSTICE FOR ALL NO MATTER RACE, RELIGION, OR BACKGROUND.
A BEACON OF HOPE WHEN FLOWN.
A MARK OF RESPECT TO THEIR MEMORY TO THOSE WHO WILLFULLY SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES TO DEFEND.
There was a time when, WE, THE PEOPLE, decided our future.
There was a time when, WE, THE PEOPLE, had a voice.
There was a time when, WE, THE PEOPLE, were UNITED and STRONG.
There was a time when the media was free from political bias [and corruption].
There was a time when our elected leaders stood their ground, dug in, and defended those they represented.
How many Men and Women in uniform are currently serving on the frontlines abroad only to look back in horror to see the homeland on fire?
What does the word ‘Patriot’ mean to you?
LAND OF THE FREE.
HOME OF THE BRAVE.
Now is not the time to be complacent.
Will you answer the call?
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” – Reagan
Q

Anonymous said...

The pyrotechnic civil disobedience was loud and proud out here. At least till the Most High decided to show up everyone and a line of thunderstorms rolled through.

LittleRed1

douglas said...

I can attest to the volume of illegal fireworks set off in Los Angeles for Independence day- We were going to go up to the mountains to see a show at Big Bear Lake, but at the last minute, that was rudely cancelled. I was pretty angry with that turn of events. I live in the highly flammable hills, so did not set any off, but we went up to the high point on our property to watch, and sat and watched for about three and a half hours. It was going strong for at least four and a half. All over the city. After a couple hours, you couldn't see the ones going off over fifteen miles away, as they were obscured by smoke. The air quality the next morning was like the old days of routine smog back in the days of my youth. Made me feel a lot better about things in light of the closures of events.

While it's true that in recent years, the amount of illegal fireworks was trending up, but there is no question that there were more this year, especially if you add in the days before and after the 4th proper, when lots more get set off. My only concern is that I'm sure the gangs make a bundle off this.

As for the list of heroes, I'd like to see Norman Borlaug, and Jonas Salk added (in line with what Mr. Foster was suggesting), as well as Daniel Boone, Booker T. Washington, Joe Louis (preferably instead of Ali), Ted Williams...

Love the idea about Indian leaders. Respecting ones honorable enemies is a practice for a moral civilization. It's part of an argument in favor of confederate monuments that I've been formulating of late. Just as we allow a big German cemetery in Normandy with distinctly German crosses and monuments (although of course not Nazi), we should, in the spirit of Lincoln allow our own brothers to be honored for their courage if not their cause.

douglas said...

Oh, and I can't wait to see the Harriet Tubman statue done in full 3D bronze as in the image widely circulated as a proposed twenty dollar bill, where she's holding her famous revolver and extending her hand to offer to lead you to freedom.

E Hines said...

Joe Louis (preferably instead of Ali)

Joe Louis certainly. However, I don't have a problem with Muhammad Ali. He at least had the courage of his convictions and went to jail rather than running off to Canada like actual draft dodgers did.

Eric Hines