An excerpt from my "regular" blog:
One of the highlights of my weekend has been watching five hours or so of the documentary miniseries The Revolution on the History Channel. Another highlight was re-reading some old family letters; and I do mean old. The letters date back to just beyond revolutionary days. The oldest letters I have are dated 1790. When I read them, I go back in time and wonder how my ancestors lived. I wonder if they could ever have imagined a descendent in San Antonio, Texas would be reading, transcribing, and cataloging their letters.
Reading those old letters and watching The Revolution got me to thinking. Listening to some of the wonderful writing of the statesmen of those days got me thinking too. It got me to thinking about how words such as liberty, freedom, and patriotism have been cheapened so very much in the years since September 11, 2001.
A patriot isn’t someone who supports an administration’s autocratic decision to attack a country that didn’t attack us. A patriot isn’t someone who believes in his government blindly. A patriot isn’t someone who condemns his fellow countrymen as traitors for not supporting an ill-advised war. And a patriot isn’t someone who simply wears a uniform or serves in one of the three branches of our nation’s government. A patriot is so more than that.
I won’t pretend that I can define a patriot right now, but I do know that putting an American flag sticker or a “support our troops” magnet, or a “God bless America" sticker on your car doesn’t mean shit.
The next time you’re thinkin’ you’re all patriotic and shit – think about what you do for your country. Think long and hard about how you contribute to the success, prosperity, and future of your country. Chances are you’re not doing a God damned thing; so peel the "patriotism" off your car and get busy doing something other than giving lipservice.
OLD LETTER
This is my all-time favorite family letter. It’s from a woman named Patty Pomeroy to one of my ancestors, Lucinda Knowlton, of New Fane, Vermont. The date is 1790.
Address
Page 1
Page 2
TranscriptionOne of the highlights of my weekend has been watching five hours or so of the documentary miniseries The Revolution on the History Channel. Another highlight was re-reading some old family letters; and I do mean old. The letters date back to just beyond revolutionary days. The oldest letters I have are dated 1790. When I read them, I go back in time and wonder how my ancestors lived. I wonder if they could ever have imagined a descendent in San Antonio, Texas would be reading, transcribing, and cataloging their letters.
Reading those old letters and watching The Revolution got me to thinking. Listening to some of the wonderful writing of the statesmen of those days got me thinking too. It got me to thinking about how words such as liberty, freedom, and patriotism have been cheapened so very much in the years since September 11, 2001.
A patriot isn’t someone who supports an administration’s autocratic decision to attack a country that didn’t attack us. A patriot isn’t someone who believes in his government blindly. A patriot isn’t someone who condemns his fellow countrymen as traitors for not supporting an ill-advised war. And a patriot isn’t someone who simply wears a uniform or serves in one of the three branches of our nation’s government. A patriot is so more than that.
I won’t pretend that I can define a patriot right now, but I do know that putting an American flag sticker or a “support our troops” magnet, or a “God bless America" sticker on your car doesn’t mean shit.
The next time you’re thinkin’ you’re all patriotic and shit – think about what you do for your country. Think long and hard about how you contribute to the success, prosperity, and future of your country. Chances are you’re not doing a God damned thing; so peel the "patriotism" off your car and get busy doing something other than giving lipservice.
OLD LETTER
This is my all-time favorite family letter. It’s from a woman named Patty Pomeroy to one of my ancestors, Lucinda Knowlton, of New Fane, Vermont. The date is 1790.
Address
Page 1
Page 2
Outside of Stationery/Envelope:
Miss Lucinda Knowlton
New Fane
Northfield August 19, 1790
My Dear Lucinda
Are you disposed to hear how I have been since I last saw you – I have been cleverly and hope to hear the same of you –
We had quite a delightsome ride from Newfane to Brattleborough and there went to dinner at Mr. Dickinson and from thence to Northfield we had an agreeable ride all we wanted to make us happy was your company – I fully expect a visit from you in the month of September and have promised myself a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in spending a few hours in Lucinda’s company.
Indeed my dear I must need say I can’t help taking it a little unkind from you in not writing me more frequently when I was at Newfane – Out of sight out of mind is an old proverb, and I am afraid that Patty is little thought of when absent, yet I cannot willnot [sic] doubt the sincerity of your friendship. That would be to injure myself as I am not conscious of having done any thing [sic] to forfeit it – I would not on any account, so much as have it thought that I had not a heart capable of a sincere and tender friendship ~~~~~~~~~~
New Fane
Northfield August 19, 1790
My Dear Lucinda
Are you disposed to hear how I have been since I last saw you – I have been cleverly and hope to hear the same of you –
We had quite a delightsome ride from Newfane to Brattleborough and there went to dinner at Mr. Dickinson and from thence to Northfield we had an agreeable ride all we wanted to make us happy was your company – I fully expect a visit from you in the month of September and have promised myself a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in spending a few hours in Lucinda’s company.
Indeed my dear I must need say I can’t help taking it a little unkind from you in not writing me more frequently when I was at Newfane – Out of sight out of mind is an old proverb, and I am afraid that Patty is little thought of when absent, yet I cannot willnot [sic] doubt the sincerity of your friendship. That would be to injure myself as I am not conscious of having done any thing [sic] to forfeit it – I would not on any account, so much as have it thought that I had not a heart capable of a sincere and tender friendship ~~~~~~~~~~
I have always from the first of my acquaintance with you esteemed you as one of my sincerest friends. I don’t wish to tire your patience quite out – So I must subscribe myself by desiring you to make my compliments acceptable to the social circle. and respect to your par and marm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Patty Pomeroy
Miss Lucinda Knowlton.
P.S. Mrs. Dickinson and Anna send their love to you
Lucinda I have one piece of news to tell you that is
I rode half a mile__ the other day without any __illion.
+++++++++
By clicking here you'll see that Lucinda Knowlton was a daughter of the Honorable Luke Knowlton, a judge in Vermont and son of Deacon Ezekial Knowlton.
2 comments:
Good post. We sure have fallen in a lot of ways. A local bookstore owner puts a daily chalkboard message in his front window, displaying his liberal politics. One of his most common themes is a quote from one of the founding fathers, and using the contrast to show how far much the American political scene has mutated in recent years.
Carlos,
Ya' fuck!! I am in the dog house, or bedroom. Alone. Probably for good.
I would respond to your post, but think I did on your other blog.
I am glad you are posting again.
I am simply taking longer and farther swims into the Caribbean!
Peace and Freedom My Friend; I do understand what you are going through.
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