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July 03, 2008
July 3rd, 1776
On this day the giants debated and edited those glorious words, this glorious idea.
Just think about this: Jefferson, Adams and Franklin submitted the Declaration to Congress on June 28th. As it was a Friday, Congress of course adjourned and did nothing, tabling discussion until Monday, July 1st.
By July 4th it was debated, slightly edited and passed.
Just imagine how long this would take given our current crop of "leaders."
Posted by Mr. Bingley at July 3, 2008 08:40 AM
Comments
And how many frickin' earmarks would have been added.
Posted by: Ken S, Fifth String on the Banjo of Life at July 3, 2008 09:53 AM
It wouldn't have ever happened. The British Army would have shut the whole thing down before they'd moved for a floor vote, and they would be writing pamphlets whining about their civil rights - none of which would be protected since they hadn't managed to get a Constitution written either.
Posted by: nightfly at July 3, 2008 10:31 AM
It's so humbling to think of what they did. I'm so grateful for their wisdom and the culture that allowed it to flourish. It was a singularly unique time that may never occur again.
History shows that all civilizations eventually crumble. Let's hope that ours crumbles and leaves a better one in place, and let's hope that it happens as far from now as possible.
I would hate for historians to blame us for losing what they made.
Posted by: Skyler at July 3, 2008 10:58 AM
I couldn't agree with you more, Skyler.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at July 3, 2008 11:53 AM
And you KNOW there would have been a junior Senator who was saying, "But can't we just NEGOTIATE with the British? I mean, they're reasonable people and all..."
And then someone would vote to disarm the militias, and it would get hung up in the Supreme Court for a couple of years...
Posted by: ricki at July 3, 2008 12:22 PM
Actually, all that did happen. Benjamin Franklin's own son was in the negotiating faction.
Posted by: Skyler at July 3, 2008 01:22 PM
Yep. Ben's son was Governor of NJ, a Loyalist, and I don't believe they ever saw each other again after the revolution, as he went 'back' to England.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at July 3, 2008 02:17 PM
Someone would have formed a committee and paid for a study to study the previous study. Until it turned out that the lobbyist for the latter study group was one of John Corzine's girlfriends (Well, to be fair...who isn't?) and New Jersey forces everyone back to square one on the negotiations.
Posted by: tree hugging sister at July 3, 2008 05:46 PM