hen 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.
Since you are being deliberately vague about your intent — probably with good reason — I’ll just draw my own conclusions.
There’s nothing wrong with political street theater. Recovery from economic catastrophe is good, too. The former is hard to sustain. We’re on track to achieve the latter. Which do you think voters will remember more in 2012?
My point? It’s more of a question than a point.
The purpose of a photo essay is to both document and illuminate an event and to raise questions in the minds of readers. I think the photos speak for themselves.
The context of the Declaration of Independence certainly could be seen as provocative, or it could be seen as a reaffirmation of the fundamental precepts upon which our nation is founded.
It could also be seen as a reminder to our elected representatives about the source of their authority, the People, and as a reminder that in spite of the fact that they were elected by a slim margin, they still have a duty to represent every citizen, not just their political or parochial interests.
Or, it could be seen by some as a call for revolution.
Or, it could be seen by some as a call to peaceably defend the principles of liberty and justice for all.
Then again, it could be merely an exercise in free speech, illustrating the reasonable and appropriate use of the right to freely assemble, the right to speak freely, and the right to petition for redress of grievances.
What do you think the point is?
I loved that movie….
Yeah, it’s a pretty postcard, and the text is somehow familiar, but the language is… suggestive. “…necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another”… “…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”… “…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”….
A casual reader might think, from your choice of words, that the Tea Parties were a call for revolution to overthrow the Government of the United States. Which would raise all kinds of interesting things to talk about.
And so I ask: Your point?
My point?
Hm. My point….
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Your point?