Declaration of Independence -- still relevant?

[0rganism]

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.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

[Roon]

1. Wow!

I just watched the wall for the first time in years just tonight!!!

[feelthebreeze]

2. God, it is so beautiful in its simple truth, I accept the mantle ...

of responsibility that has been given to me by my Democracy. They will not remove it. Not through the supreme Court, not through the wiretapping, not through the murder and torture of people, and certainly not through my apathy nor fear.

[0rganism]

3. beautiful simple truth

Like "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed", so simple and brief and obvious. Governments' just powers derive from the consent of the governed. But what are the powers that do not derive from consent of the governed? Those are, by extension, the unjust powers.

And then the corporate newsmedia tries to tell us how King George has an obligation to use powers for which we never consented... I wonder how long it's been since Tweety read the Declaration of Independence.

[Swamp Rat]

4. Oooooooo ooo ooo ooooh

Did did did did you see the frightened ones?
Did did did did you hear the falling bombs?
Did did did did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath the clear blue sky?

Did did did did you see the frightened ones?
Did did did did you hear the falling bombs?
The flames are all gone, but the pain lingers on.

Goodbye, blue sky
Goodbye, blue sky.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.

"The 11:15 from newcastle is now approaching"
"The 11:18 arrival..."

[leftofthedial]

5. it's just a piece of paper