Tag Archives: History

First Principles: We Must Not Let Our Rulers Load Us With Perpetual Debt

“I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom. And, to preserve their independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.” – Thomas Jefferson, Letter … Continue reading

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First Principles: Be Americans. Let There Be No Sectionalism…You Are All Dependent On One Another and Should Be One In Union

“Be Americans. Let there be no sectionalism, no North, South, East or West. You are all dependent on one another and should be one in union. In one word, be a nation. Be Americans, and be true to yourselves.” – … Continue reading

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First Principles: I’ve Always Felt That A Person’s Intelligence Is Directly Reflected By the Number of Conflicting Points of View He Can Entertain Simultaneously On the Same Topic

“I’ve always felt that a person’s intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting points of view he can entertain simultaneously on the same topic.” – Abigail Adams, “Letters of Mrs. Adams: The Wife of John Adams”, p.539 — … Continue reading

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First Principles: Liberty Will Not Long Survive the Total Extinction of Morals

“Liberty will not long survive the total extinction of morals.” – Samuel Adams, in the record of the Second Continental Congress, April 30, 1776 — American sentiment is to be toward acting as docile slaves or standing up for the … Continue reading

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Thought For the Day: Speak Your Mind. Even If You’re A Minority of One, The Truth Is Still the Truth

“Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, for being you. Never apologize for being correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you’re right and you know it, speak … Continue reading

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First Principles: Virtue Or Morality Is A Necessary Spring of Popular Government. The Rule Indeed Extends With More Or Less Force To Every Species of Free Government

“Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free Government.” – George Washington, Farewell Address (1796) — George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796) can be read … Continue reading

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First Principles: Humanity Has Won Its Battle. Liberty Now Has A Country.

“Humanity has won its battle. Liberty now has a country.”– Marquis de Lafayette — This quoted excerpt from a letter from Marquis de Lafayette shortly after Yorktown captures the triumph of the human spirit in achieving freedom and establishing our … Continue reading

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Thought For the Day: If You Do Not Take An Interest In the Affairs of Your Government, Then You Are Doomed To Live Under the Rule of Fools

“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools.” – Plato, there are several alternative translations of this passage taken from Republic, Book 1, 347c … Continue reading

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A Speculative Blush of History

A Speculative Blush of Historyby Michael DoyleIn part, science fiction involves mysteryOther times, speculation about historyWhat might have been or might well beHad things only turned out a bit differentlyAll the casual moments of interpretationOf events real and in the … Continue reading

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Virtue and Disobedience

Virtue and Disobedienceby Michael DoylePainting away your dayAs old records playEach portrait painted with feelingIs nothing less than soul-revealingThat is to say about the painters’ waysNot of the sitter, despite honoring his daysSpending time on crafting the right impressionThis is … Continue reading

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