I only repeat these because they bear repeating.

[Recursion]

If there is a life beyond this world, and if those who came before us watch us, I think they are ashamed. I only repeat these quotes because they deserve repetition, over and over again, until they are drilled into the hearts of every patriot. I love this country, and I have given 7 years of my life in its service, and will give more if I am asked to. But I cannot pretend that this government is my country, or my nation, or deserves my allegiance. These quotes have all been posted here before, I'm sure. But I just want them all in a thread for anyone who needs inspiration. We've come through dark times before, and we will again. We just need to stand by our love for our brothers and sisters, and for our country.

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! (Patrick Henry)

He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself. (Thomas Paine)

They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. (Benjamin Franklin)

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country (Nathan Hale)

The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come! (Patrick Henry, again)

I have not yet begun to fight! (John Paul Jones)

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their county; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny like hell is not easily conquered yet we have this consolation with us, the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. (Thomas Paine, again)

I have sworn on the altar of God eternal enmity against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. (Thomas Jefferson)

Nevertheless, to the persecution and tyranny of his cruel ministry we will not tamely submit -- appealing to Heaven for the justice of our cause, we determine to die or be free. (Joseph Warren)

Our own Country's Honor, all call upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion, and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world. Let us therefore rely upon the goodness of the Cause, and the aid of the supreme Being, in whose hands Victory is, to animate and encourage us to great and noble Actions -- The Eyes of all our Countrymen are now upon us, and we shall have their blessings, and praises, if happily we are the instruments of saving them from the Tyranny mediated against them. Let us therefore animate and encourage each other, and show the whole world, that a free man contending for Liberty on his own ground is superior to any slavish mercenary on earth. (George Washington)

We must constantly build dykes of courage to hold back the flood of fear. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls. (Elizabeth Cady Stanton)

Come on, you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever? (Daniel Daly)

I hope this won't get me kicked off for incitement, but:

I call for civil disobedience. Civil disobedience on a massive scale. Not for us, not for our children or those who come after. We can worry about that later.

Instead, think of all the courageous patriots (and matriots, pace Ms. Stanton) who came before us. Who risked and sometimes gave all for our liberty, our equality, our freedom. Think of what they risk and what they gave, and how we lie servile as tyrants take what they will, take the freedoms they sacrificed that we might enjoy.

Shroud their statues. Shroud their effigies. That's what I want to see. Shroud them with anything you have: sheets, blankets, quilts, tarpaulins. Cover their faces so they do not have to see what has happened to those who came after them; so they do not need to be ashamed at how lightly we have treated their sacrifices. This is something we can all get behind. It damages no property. It's probably technically illegal but I doubt anyone will go to jail. At worst, cops remove the sheet and tell you to disperse, and you go home.

I'll start it, if you want. If I get a few positive responses to this, I'll shroud every effigy and statue I can find of Paine, Washington, King, Lincoln, Anthony, etc.; all those who risked so much to see that we would be free. I'll spare them the shame of watching over our fall into servitude, and the hypocrisy of those who mimic their words while undermining every value these patriots fought for.

I'm just looking for a few shouts-out. If somebody says they'll take shrouds to statues if they hear rumors of it happening in DC, I'll start it. Anybody with me?

EDIT: one day I'll learn to spell "hypocrisy" correctly the first time....

[katinmn]

1. Yes! I like it.

Be sure to take pictures.

:thumbsup:

[feelthebreeze]

2. I support this action...

could try it in my own neighborhood. Perhaps a brilliant notion if adopted by many.

[Clovis Sangrail]

3. wonderful sentiment

alas, the only statues near me are of cows and pigs

[kittykitty]

4. A perfect protest. What about Gettysburg? So many statues.

I think it is time for a civil uprising. The people are in a stupor. They don't realize what has happened. Your idea is an excellent, non-violent, and wonderfully symbolic gesture. I'm sorry that I am 67, that I am hampered by M.S., or I would love to help shroud not only the statues, but the memorial plaques bearing the names of those from so many states who died trying to form a more perfect union.

And all over America, in every small town are memorials to those who died in WW I and WW II, the Korean War, Vietnam. They should all be shrouded, too.

[shadowknows69]

12. If possible write something on the sheets

like: "To hide from our founders what has been done to their country"

[bigtree]

5. I saw this done once

I liked it

[Recursion]

6. That's 5, which kicks me to the front page, so I'll do it

Watch the news, if you get VA/DC/MD local stuff, in the coming week. I'll try to get at least a little exposure for this. I'm thinking white paint on black sheets over the statues?

[RandomKoolzip]

7. Christo? Is that you?

BTW, didn't Ashcroft raise the ire of many a liberal when he covered up a statue of the booby-baring Lady Justice?

[kittykitty]

8. kick

[Canuckistanian]

9. Wow, great post

You're quite a passionate writer.

And passionate writers are what created your country. Like Thomas Paine, Henry Thoreau and Nathan Hale.

And if "Civil Disobedience" is necessary... go for it.

K&R :toast:

[linazelle]

10. Wonderful and inspiring. I need to find a statue. Memorial Day

is a great weekend to shroud one. :hug:

[shadowknows69]

13. No doubt

that could get dicey around some Veterans though be careful.

[shadowknows69]

11. I think it's a brilliant idea.

I'm going to scope out things in my hometown. might be hard to find other than a courthouse or library.

[genie_weenie]

14. To quote another Marine:

War is a racket. It always has been. - MG Smedley Butler

And unfortunately like the good general every generation must learn that the hot heart beneath all the flowery speech of freedom or liberty is conquest and territory. And rulers disavow and distance themselves from rebels, as Washington did to Paine, so the government would do to you...

Civil Disobediance can not work because you are playing into the system. The system wants you to play be it's rules, the State as the sole owner of Force. By admitting the State can hold that power you have already lost. They killed MLK, the killed RFK, they imprisoned Eugene V Debs, the drove off the WWI vets (The Bonus Army), the massacred the women and children of Ludlow.

[linazelle]

15. kick.