For any of those who might love music relevant to today, on our 4th of July, I recommend Shawn Kirchner's arrangement of America the Beautiful, as performed by Tonality, Alexander Lloyd Blake conducting, from their 2019 recorded album "Sing About It". On i-tunes, and I'm sure elsewhere. If you can find it, I know most of you here at Bulwark will appreciate it. Incredibly moving and unlike any version you have ever heard. Simply beautiful.
Yes, and one more beautiful piece of music I feel could be added to our nation's musical soul right now, might be the exquisite traditional spiritual "Give Me Jesus", sung by Barbara Hendricks, and arranged by Moses Hogan. Also easily found on i-tunes. IMO, once heard, one may never be the same. Thinking about our current situation as a nation. I will never want to un-hear what these people are expressing in this deeply moving music. A way to understand and manage such a troubling time. Relying on our faith, strength and invincible hope, which will always be greater than any foe.
Benjamin Franklin's response to Elizabeth Willing Powel's question: "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"
“A republic, if you can keep it.”
I always thought Franklin was making a sincere statement. Lately, knowing his own understanding of human nature and reading of history it almost seems as if he was being sarcastic. As if he knew there would be a time when the Republic couldn't or wouldn't be kept.
In the Convention Franklin noted that there would probably be a "sell by" date for their work:
“In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people *if* well administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government.”
And so here is where we are--- for indeed "the people" have become so corrupted, Ill educated, willfully misinformed, spoiled in their luxuries, amusing themselves to death, enslaved by debt and all manner of vice. Half the country yearns for a despot and the other half of the country deserves the despot they get.
Side note: I once played Caesar Rodney in a stage production of 1776--- a much better part on stage than in the film adaptation.
My favorite revolutionary father was Ethan Allen--- one of the most colorful, outrageous and peculiar men of the American colonies.
Thank you. Posted on Bsky. We all need to be reminded of the values and principles our Country was founded upon. Today it’s more than ever so we can forge ahead on our path to a more perfect union.
Thank you for the tour. Just hope folks remember that our founding fathers began a good story and we must reclaim the freedom that inspired our great nation on its path to a more perfect union. It’s damn hard today but it’s the most important endeavor in my lifetime.
Thanks for this column on the statutes of some less well known American Revolutionary patriots. My wife and visited the Capitol in May and took a tour, seeing some of statues shown here. We also happened to see Rep. Kevin McCarthy walk through Statuary Hall within spitting distance of us, though I didn’t spit.
Yesterday we visit Morven, the former New Jersey’s governor’s mansion in Princeton and the residence of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Like many of the other signers he owned as many as 6 slaves. One wonders what they thought as the signed a document that declared 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” yet owned other humans without those rights.
I lifted this reference today from "The Daily Stoic" newsletter by Ryan Holiday and it seems relevant:
"The Stoics would have loved a toast given by Admiral David Farragut in the American Civil War, a similar fight of good against evil, a struggle of many years, not just to keep the country together but to triumph over the evil of slavery. 'What matters if, General, whether you and I are killed or not?' Farragut said as he raised his glass to a colleague. 'We came here to die. It is our business and it must happen sooner or later. We must fight this thing out until there is no more than one man left and that man must be a Union man. Here’s to his health...We have people [now] who are trying to revert or oppose age-old traditions of equality, fairness under the law, justice, freedom, as well as virtue itself. There is the modern nihilism, excess, hopelessness. We have to fight for those ideas, we have to put ourselves on those front lines."
More than one observer has likened this moment in our country's history to the time before the Civil War. But hasn't it always been thus? There are always people who will try to advantage themselves against the best interests of others, whether it be in this democracy or another circumstance. The point is that those with the courage and wisdom to do the right thing, to support the rule of law, justice, freedom must DO SOMETHING. Evil persists in the world when men (and women) of good conscience do nothing. Happy 247th Birthday America! May we celebrate many more.
I usually watch “1776” with my kids on the 4th. We missed it this year because of health issues so I really appreciate this for photographic reminder. We live in NJ so the kids and I give out a loud “hurrah” when the missing delegates from NJ finally make it. For all you other states, “you’re welcome” :)
Love viewing these wonderful statues. Such a joy! Thank you.
Happy Independence Day weekend!
Interesting change of pace, Joe. Thanks.
For any of those who might love music relevant to today, on our 4th of July, I recommend Shawn Kirchner's arrangement of America the Beautiful, as performed by Tonality, Alexander Lloyd Blake conducting, from their 2019 recorded album "Sing About It". On i-tunes, and I'm sure elsewhere. If you can find it, I know most of you here at Bulwark will appreciate it. Incredibly moving and unlike any version you have ever heard. Simply beautiful.
Yes, and one more beautiful piece of music I feel could be added to our nation's musical soul right now, might be the exquisite traditional spiritual "Give Me Jesus", sung by Barbara Hendricks, and arranged by Moses Hogan. Also easily found on i-tunes. IMO, once heard, one may never be the same. Thinking about our current situation as a nation. I will never want to un-hear what these people are expressing in this deeply moving music. A way to understand and manage such a troubling time. Relying on our faith, strength and invincible hope, which will always be greater than any foe.
Thanks Joe and Hannah. Happy 4th.
Would it be they come to life to help us out!
Benjamin Franklin's response to Elizabeth Willing Powel's question: "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"
“A republic, if you can keep it.”
I always thought Franklin was making a sincere statement. Lately, knowing his own understanding of human nature and reading of history it almost seems as if he was being sarcastic. As if he knew there would be a time when the Republic couldn't or wouldn't be kept.
In the Convention Franklin noted that there would probably be a "sell by" date for their work:
“In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people *if* well administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government.”
And so here is where we are--- for indeed "the people" have become so corrupted, Ill educated, willfully misinformed, spoiled in their luxuries, amusing themselves to death, enslaved by debt and all manner of vice. Half the country yearns for a despot and the other half of the country deserves the despot they get.
Side note: I once played Caesar Rodney in a stage production of 1776--- a much better part on stage than in the film adaptation.
My favorite revolutionary father was Ethan Allen--- one of the most colorful, outrageous and peculiar men of the American colonies.
And he made great furniture!
My grandmother bought nothing else!
Happy 4th Everyone! Also, anyone curious as why you can’t comment on Mona Charen’s recent piece?
Mona should accept posts, IMO. I don't know why she does not, on her written pieces. It's not great. She should.
I thought I have noticed that her posts don’t have that option. But could be wrong. I enjoyed it, though. It’s what I needed last night.
Thank you. Posted on Bsky. We all need to be reminded of the values and principles our Country was founded upon. Today it’s more than ever so we can forge ahead on our path to a more perfect union.
Thank you for the tour. Just hope folks remember that our founding fathers began a good story and we must reclaim the freedom that inspired our great nation on its path to a more perfect union. It’s damn hard today but it’s the most important endeavor in my lifetime.
Differing lowest waistcoat button protocols.
Thanks for this column on the statutes of some less well known American Revolutionary patriots. My wife and visited the Capitol in May and took a tour, seeing some of statues shown here. We also happened to see Rep. Kevin McCarthy walk through Statuary Hall within spitting distance of us, though I didn’t spit.
Yesterday we visit Morven, the former New Jersey’s governor’s mansion in Princeton and the residence of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Like many of the other signers he owned as many as 6 slaves. One wonders what they thought as the signed a document that declared 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” yet owned other humans without those rights.
Still, happy 247th!
I lifted this reference today from "The Daily Stoic" newsletter by Ryan Holiday and it seems relevant:
"The Stoics would have loved a toast given by Admiral David Farragut in the American Civil War, a similar fight of good against evil, a struggle of many years, not just to keep the country together but to triumph over the evil of slavery. 'What matters if, General, whether you and I are killed or not?' Farragut said as he raised his glass to a colleague. 'We came here to die. It is our business and it must happen sooner or later. We must fight this thing out until there is no more than one man left and that man must be a Union man. Here’s to his health...We have people [now] who are trying to revert or oppose age-old traditions of equality, fairness under the law, justice, freedom, as well as virtue itself. There is the modern nihilism, excess, hopelessness. We have to fight for those ideas, we have to put ourselves on those front lines."
More than one observer has likened this moment in our country's history to the time before the Civil War. But hasn't it always been thus? There are always people who will try to advantage themselves against the best interests of others, whether it be in this democracy or another circumstance. The point is that those with the courage and wisdom to do the right thing, to support the rule of law, justice, freedom must DO SOMETHING. Evil persists in the world when men (and women) of good conscience do nothing. Happy 247th Birthday America! May we celebrate many more.
I usually watch “1776” with my kids on the 4th. We missed it this year because of health issues so I really appreciate this for photographic reminder. We live in NJ so the kids and I give out a loud “hurrah” when the missing delegates from NJ finally make it. For all you other states, “you’re welcome” :)
Sam Adams looks like he just said, 'So THERE!' with folded arms.
This is great, Joe and Hannah. Thank you and Happy 4th!!