OT: We hold these truths to be self evident,

[BCSCat]

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.

Have a Happy and safe 4th!!

[Ricardo del Rio]

Re: OT: 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.

Have a Happy and safe 4th!!

Surely "Creator" is not a God reference.

[BCSCat]

Re: OT: 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.

Have a Happy and safe 4th!!

Surely "Creator" is not a God reference.

That's the original form with punctuation, spelling and capitalization as it was written in 1776. It's up to each individual American to interpret IMHO.

[1979Shocker]

1823 facsimile of the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Us_declaration_independence.jpg

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUdB8gCMcXI

[Zardoz]

About 40 years ago I saw this document up close and personal. Just a few feet away. Very awe inspiring along with the Marines(?) standing motionless not far away. Also viewed the Constitution and a few other documents. The Declaration of Independence was the one I remember the most. This was a break from exploring the wonders a the Smithsonian. My parent gave my 8 hours to explore, perhaps the best 8 hours of my life up to that time. It was great! Happy Independence Day to everyone!

[BCSCat]

From the mini-series John Adams. Great re-creation of the vote to declare independence which took place on Juky 2, 1776. The actual document was presented by a committee of five headed by Jefferson, Adams and Franklin and approved on Jul4 4, 1776. Historians disagree on when it was actually signed but most do agree it was signed over a period of some months as many delegates were not present in July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpZxMfKaU

[Ricardo del Rio]

From the mini-series John Adams. Great re-creation of the vote to declare independence which took place on Juky 2, 1776. The actual document was presented by a committee of five headed by Jefferson, Adams and Franklin and approved on Jul4 4, 1776. Historians disagree on when it was actually signed but most do agree it was signed over a period of some months as many delegates were not present in July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpZxMfKaU

Has Nobama ever read the Declaration?

[ABC]

"That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Government exists to protect our natural rights and liberties; it did not create those same rights and liberties.

Suck it Hobbes!

[Wuzee]

Re: OT: 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.

Have a Happy and safe 4th!!

Surely "Creator" is not a God reference.

I think Fred Phelps would disagree.

[wsushox1]

"That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Government exists to protect our natural rights and liberties; it did not create those same rights and liberties.

Suck it Hobbes!

:good:

[WSUwatcher]

Nope

"Has Nobama ever read the Declaration?"

If he has, RDR, I'd be surprised. They're way beyond that in the faculty lounge at Harvard. And if he even knows that Creator is capitalized, which is unlikely, I'm sure he thinks it's just archaic style. It's certainly archaic, after all -- they didn't have anywhere near 57 states back then.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Re: Nope

"Has Nobama ever read the Declaration?"

If he has, RDR, I'd be surprised. They're way beyond that in the faculty lounge at Harvard. And if he even knows that Creator is capitalized, which is unlikely, I'm sure he thinks it's just archaic style. It's certainly archaic, after all -- they didn't have anywhere near 57 states back then.

Ah yes, you are so right.

Actually, Obama's words were somewhat different from what is widely quoted.

Actually, he said, ".... 57 with one left to go."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws

My grandson, who is six years old, knows better. He can identify all of the commonly known planets as well as many countries in the world.

Maybe he will be the President some day.

[OTR Shockfan]

From the mini-series John Adams. Great re-creation of the vote to declare independence which took place on Juky 2, 1776. The actual document was presented by a committee of five headed by Jefferson, Adams and Franklin and approved on Jul4 4, 1776. Historians disagree on when it was actually signed but most do agree it was signed over a period of some months as many delegates were not present in July.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvpZxMfKaU

Has Nobama ever read the Declaration?

Doubt it ..... hasn't been transcribed for a teleprompter yet lol

[Aargh]

I always thought that a "government of the people" implied a bottom-up democracy. Another possible meaning to the same words would imply a top-down government - rather like an autocracy.

I fear we are now "being governed" rather than we "are governing". It's both parties that are involved. That's just the way our country's political system has evolved.