Thank you so much for this important information Mary.
Watching the horror coming out of Highland Park (25 miles from where I live in Chicago) has been so upsetting today. That community has a large Jewish population with a Dem Jewish Mayor Nancy Rotering who won her re-election in 2019 with a 50 point margin against the white nationalist GOP father of the suspect that was taken into custody a little while ago. This is important information everyone needs to be aware of.
Well said, Mary. Definitely a tough day today. And probably more than ironic that we celebrate this true American holiday by lighting gunpowder. We not only have to keep fighting but make sure others don't lose hope and give up either.
Any time anyone expresses distress in America about America, they are attacked. I have seen many blowhards react to the upside down flag with anger as opposed to concern. It's connected to maturity; no mature person believes that any country is blameless or without bad chapters but so many Americans want to kill you if you tell the truth about our history.
I am so glad you are here and that you are referencing our history. Mary: it all begins with the Doctrine of Discovery and that hierarchy informs everything in our nation and many of the so called advanced nations. Look it up and see how it informs how we are all ranked. It was written in 1493.
You forgot to mention the genocide of the Native Americans.
But the signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men in spite of the many flaws:
The Sacrifices Made By The Declaration Signers… | Michael W. Smith:
“Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
What happened to the signers of the Declaration of Independence?
Thank you, Mary. It is, for me as well, the first time in my life where I have been so frightened about the going-ons around me. I am devastated by the hate and the lying. I never doubted that love of country would always surpass partisanship and pathetic, petty politics. I am now immersed in the doubt. May we survive; may this experiment of democracy triumph.
I found it hard to celebrate anything today, not when I had to frantically text my son in Chicago to make sure that he was okay after the latest mass shooting.
We are still suffering because of the flawed character of the men who drafted The Constitution. Today, only those who want to deny rights and thwart progress hang onto idealizing the original text. They use “Originalism” as an excuse for cruelty and oppression.
Needed this today…thank you!! I made a comment on Twitter today about the gravity of 1/6 & it has been met with multiple responses of the fact that I am crazy….that no one died…it was cosplaying…etc etc etc 😢 I am truly saddened at the number of people in this country that found that day as perfectly acceptable behavior & still believe the remainder of us are making much ado about nothing!
It definitely is a tough period now. I just can't comprehend how many people seem to be ok with the direction of our country; accepting whatever happens like it's nothing. The Supreme Court decisions blow my mind. We have to find a way to make the masses understand there is so much more at stake here than the price of gas and groceries. Right now, it looks like that's what people are going to vote on.
So happy to see a column! Circumstances very heartbreaking. If ever a time for an upside down flag, it’s now. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch any fireworks this year. nothing. Could not celebrate any notion of ‘freedom’ today.
I read this through a waterfall of tears, Mary. It all feels like it's accelerating, as accountability approaches. We're practically watching Ahura-Mazda fighting back against the powers of darkness. I'm trying to remain hopeful as I remind myself that there are far fewer of the dark ones... they're just louder, nastier, and deadlier. Thanks 🙏
Your words deliver the wallop!!
Thank you, Mary!
Thank you so much for this important information Mary.
Watching the horror coming out of Highland Park (25 miles from where I live in Chicago) has been so upsetting today. That community has a large Jewish population with a Dem Jewish Mayor Nancy Rotering who won her re-election in 2019 with a 50 point margin against the white nationalist GOP father of the suspect that was taken into custody a little while ago. This is important information everyone needs to be aware of.
Solidarity from here across the Pond, Mary.
Well said, Mary. Definitely a tough day today. And probably more than ironic that we celebrate this true American holiday by lighting gunpowder. We not only have to keep fighting but make sure others don't lose hope and give up either.
Any time anyone expresses distress in America about America, they are attacked. I have seen many blowhards react to the upside down flag with anger as opposed to concern. It's connected to maturity; no mature person believes that any country is blameless or without bad chapters but so many Americans want to kill you if you tell the truth about our history.
I am so glad you are here and that you are referencing our history. Mary: it all begins with the Doctrine of Discovery and that hierarchy informs everything in our nation and many of the so called advanced nations. Look it up and see how it informs how we are all ranked. It was written in 1493.
As a female in this country I am not celebrating today. Not until my rights are restored...rights over my private Healthcare choices. #vote
You forgot to mention the genocide of the Native Americans.
But the signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men in spite of the many flaws:
The Sacrifices Made By The Declaration Signers… | Michael W. Smith:
“Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the revolutionary war.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners, men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
What happened to the signers of the Declaration of Independence?
This is the Price They Paid -
https://michaelwsmith.com/the-sacrifices-made-by-the-declaration-signers/
Thank you Mary. Always keep the fight going.
Thank you, Mary. It is, for me as well, the first time in my life where I have been so frightened about the going-ons around me. I am devastated by the hate and the lying. I never doubted that love of country would always surpass partisanship and pathetic, petty politics. I am now immersed in the doubt. May we survive; may this experiment of democracy triumph.
I found it hard to celebrate anything today, not when I had to frantically text my son in Chicago to make sure that he was okay after the latest mass shooting.
We are still suffering because of the flawed character of the men who drafted The Constitution. Today, only those who want to deny rights and thwart progress hang onto idealizing the original text. They use “Originalism” as an excuse for cruelty and oppression.
Needed this today…thank you!! I made a comment on Twitter today about the gravity of 1/6 & it has been met with multiple responses of the fact that I am crazy….that no one died…it was cosplaying…etc etc etc 😢 I am truly saddened at the number of people in this country that found that day as perfectly acceptable behavior & still believe the remainder of us are making much ado about nothing!
Thank you, Mary. Today and the past several weeks have been dark.
It definitely is a tough period now. I just can't comprehend how many people seem to be ok with the direction of our country; accepting whatever happens like it's nothing. The Supreme Court decisions blow my mind. We have to find a way to make the masses understand there is so much more at stake here than the price of gas and groceries. Right now, it looks like that's what people are going to vote on.
So happy to see a column! Circumstances very heartbreaking. If ever a time for an upside down flag, it’s now. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch any fireworks this year. nothing. Could not celebrate any notion of ‘freedom’ today.
I read this through a waterfall of tears, Mary. It all feels like it's accelerating, as accountability approaches. We're practically watching Ahura-Mazda fighting back against the powers of darkness. I'm trying to remain hopeful as I remind myself that there are far fewer of the dark ones... they're just louder, nastier, and deadlier. Thanks 🙏