Thank you for an excellent, concise reminder of our history. As an aside, that Franklin was 85 years old in 1787, active in the creation and fulfillment of our Constitution in Philadelphia's hot, suffocating Independence Hall, should give pause to the many who claim that, Americans in their 80s today, are too old to govern.
Hey John. Although I agree that Biden's age is what many opponents are jumping on, but that's a failure of imagination on their part. What else do they have? The border and inflation (the economy in general). Well, they've sabatoged the border by refusing to consider the proposal from a few weeks ago and the economy is improving. Not perfect and some prices are still climbing too quickly, but heading in the right direction.
However, part of the issue is where we are from a technological position. Franklin's age was an exception at the time (I believe life expectancy was in the mid 30s), but he also didn't have to be concerned with constant surveillance by the 24/7 media, deep fake videos, social media algorithms, etc., ad nauseum. FDR, a great president by many measures, was paralyzed from the waist down. Based on the coverage I mentioned above, and the poor treatment in the media of Biden's obvious age-related gait, do you honestly think a person with such a disability as FDR's would ever be considered as a candidate for POTUS? Sadly, the answer is no. Yet look what we would have missed out on and imagine how much worse off the country would be without all of his leadership and accomplishments.
What a great point of view John Hipp, and I totally agree with you! As I was reading Steve's wonderful history lesson, I realized that all I knew of Benjamin Franklin was that he had been a traitor to America. That's just terrible, considering he did what he did FOR America!! I think Biden has a lot left in him to offer the American people as President, imperfect as he appears to be to some, as was the aforementioned FDR (and of course look at what he did as infirm as he was)! I hope people's eyes get opened up about the best of Biden and the worst of Trump (in whatever way that comes) and they don't allow that horrible, evil man, who truly IS A TRAITOR become the next President!! People, if you love your country, get ready to vote for Biden in the millions of millions!
“Franklin invented bifocals, and the lightning rod as part of ground-breaking experiments with electricity, paper money, the existence of the Gulf Stream, the first public libraries, insurance companies, volunteer fire departments and dozens of other public institutions that remain recognizable anchors of modern civil society.”
Excellent history lesson Steve. Little known fact: Franklin also invented the first unitary catheter for his brother James, who suffered from kidney stones.
Additionally, let’s not forget that the East India Tea Company monopoly, and the Tea Act was just the last straw. Other major factors of the war included; greater restrictions of the colonies, and more importantly, forcing rhetorical colonies to pay England for its defense during the French and Indian War.
Causes of the Revolutionary War: Taxation without representation. The Stamp Act, Townshend Act, and these Intolerable Acts taxed colonists without consent through Parliament.
Bottom line: the colonies were at a breaking point!…:)
Of interest, he also published instructions for in home abortion in the 1700’s. It was included in a book that included various herbal remedies for everyone.
I learned about it when SCOTUS overturned Roe. Thought it was so interesting that, from my reading, it was not a big deal that it was included within the publication and yet here we are.
Yeah, from a man who messed around a lot and probably got a lot of young women pregnant. Just sayin'. And he probably got the instructions from the indigenous. Indigenous women throughout north America had absolute sovereignty over their own bodies.
"'A republic if you can keep it,' replied Benjamin Franklin." Hear, hear!!
Application to recent times:
- We've fought two great wars in order to keep our Republic - the Civil War, and World War II.
- One against an internal foe, the other against an external foe.
- Both times with tremendous loss of life.
- We're currently in another internal war - against those that would have us turn fascist/authoritarian.
- Hopefully we'll only have to expend a tremendous amount of emotional and intellectual energy to win and keep our Republic this time; but win we must!
In sum, thank you Steve. Having taught American history for more than 20 years, I strove to share the passion I have for America's "David and Goliath" origin story with students. I agree we, as Americans, are obligated to know the details of how a fractured and disparate collection of immigrant citizens, enslaved Africans, and descendants of Europeans, who could trace their roots back not even two centuries, could unite, much less prevail, over the planet's superpower, England, as to which, before 7/2/1776, they were British subjects. Your thoughtful and rich passage today manifests why I barely have read fiction in the past 40 years. The best stories are those which really happened. America's story is almost not credible, yet true. It has inspired countless nations and humans to achieve the ideals framed by the Committee of Five which drafted the most momentous "DearJohn" letter in history. Our governing documents provide me with a sense of pride for which I deserve no credit; however, tragically they firm the basis of my deep disappointment and sometimes genuine anger regarding the movement led by someone whom I doubt can recite even a fraction of what you have graciously shared today and which poses a threat as great as that which almost caused our demise in Lincoln's time. Thank you for allowing me a respite to the profound concerns I have regarding our great experiment and nation to feel that pride as a woman fortunate to be born in America. May God truly continue to bless and sustain us.
As is often said, ignorance is no excuse. If you liked at text books and history curricula you'd be disappointed how same miss the rich background of Steve's post today.
There are many benefits that I have received from my subscription to The Warning, but it is this kind of detailed historical telling about how the country came to be that I feel particularly enriched by..Thank you Steve for sharing this story about Dr. Franklin..
Steve, I want to thank you for your beautifully written piece on Franklin's role in the lead up to the American Revolution. You took us back to that period in our history in a way I must admit, I'd never fully grasped prior to your piece. It's a really moving account of the incredibly vital role that Franklin played in ours and the world's history. Thank you.
I had my first visit to Independence Hall this past September. In Philly for a sports event and added some hours to make the visit. My family and I wated in the rain as the line to enter slowly made its way to the door. The rain and wait made tempting to change plans, but did not. Standing inside I closed my eyes and breathed deeply and truly felt the weight of what transpired within those walls. The incredible brilliance, insight and patience of the men gathered there. I shall never regret or forget my visit. Independence Hall must be visited by all Americans.
Fantastic -- I needed to be reminded of this history on this early Saturday morning after yet another distressing week watching our institutions fail to protect our Republic. Can we keep it? Indeed.
Just beautiful Steve. Almost felt like I was there. I learned things about Benjamin Franklin I didn't even know. My biggest takeaway that I can use going forward in my work was how old he was. I love that part. Too bad the Biden campaign couldn't use some of that too. Thanks again for another excellent essay. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Clint Eastwood was asked, “What is your secret to doing such great work late in life?
Eastwood answered,
At about 49, a man starts getting a knock on the door of his heart. He hears a voice that says things like, “You need to start taking fewer risks. You could get hurt. You can’t do the things you used to do when you were younger.” When you hear the knock, don’t let the old man in.
This was nice. One of the great things about growing up in New Jersey was the Revolutionary War sites that abounded.
You had the well-known ones like Washington’s Winter Headquarters in Morristown and the Monmouth Battlefield and the Princeton Battlefield and the Trenton Barracks. But you also had sites of small skirmishes and also endeavors to boot the Brits out.
There was Ringwood where ironworkers fashioned a great chain to lay across a river to block British ships. There was the Batso furnace hidden in the Pine Barrens that forged cannons. I saw cannonballs lodged in an old Quaker Church in Chesterfield. There was fiery Thomas Paine’s home that I walked past all of the time in Bordentown. The history was real in old New Jersey.
Thank you for these fascinating historical details. The US history I learned in school was extremely abbreviated. Franklin was truly a Renaissance Man. When reading your "It is miraculous and the birthright of every human being who is so fortunate to be able to call themselves an American," I was going to make a judgemental comment on the fact that it wasn't "every human being", since Black men and all women weren't included as recipients of these inalienable rights... but you did mention later on the lack of perfection and the mechanisms for improvement over time, so..... I'll let it go :-). As you say, it's too easy to judge the past.
Thank you for an excellent, concise reminder of our history. As an aside, that Franklin was 85 years old in 1787, active in the creation and fulfillment of our Constitution in Philadelphia's hot, suffocating Independence Hall, should give pause to the many who claim that, Americans in their 80s today, are too old to govern.
Hey John. Although I agree that Biden's age is what many opponents are jumping on, but that's a failure of imagination on their part. What else do they have? The border and inflation (the economy in general). Well, they've sabatoged the border by refusing to consider the proposal from a few weeks ago and the economy is improving. Not perfect and some prices are still climbing too quickly, but heading in the right direction.
However, part of the issue is where we are from a technological position. Franklin's age was an exception at the time (I believe life expectancy was in the mid 30s), but he also didn't have to be concerned with constant surveillance by the 24/7 media, deep fake videos, social media algorithms, etc., ad nauseum. FDR, a great president by many measures, was paralyzed from the waist down. Based on the coverage I mentioned above, and the poor treatment in the media of Biden's obvious age-related gait, do you honestly think a person with such a disability as FDR's would ever be considered as a candidate for POTUS? Sadly, the answer is no. Yet look what we would have missed out on and imagine how much worse off the country would be without all of his leadership and accomplishments.
What a great point of view John Hipp, and I totally agree with you! As I was reading Steve's wonderful history lesson, I realized that all I knew of Benjamin Franklin was that he had been a traitor to America. That's just terrible, considering he did what he did FOR America!! I think Biden has a lot left in him to offer the American people as President, imperfect as he appears to be to some, as was the aforementioned FDR (and of course look at what he did as infirm as he was)! I hope people's eyes get opened up about the best of Biden and the worst of Trump (in whatever way that comes) and they don't allow that horrible, evil man, who truly IS A TRAITOR become the next President!! People, if you love your country, get ready to vote for Biden in the millions of millions!
“Franklin invented bifocals, and the lightning rod as part of ground-breaking experiments with electricity, paper money, the existence of the Gulf Stream, the first public libraries, insurance companies, volunteer fire departments and dozens of other public institutions that remain recognizable anchors of modern civil society.”
Excellent history lesson Steve. Little known fact: Franklin also invented the first unitary catheter for his brother James, who suffered from kidney stones.
Additionally, let’s not forget that the East India Tea Company monopoly, and the Tea Act was just the last straw. Other major factors of the war included; greater restrictions of the colonies, and more importantly, forcing rhetorical colonies to pay England for its defense during the French and Indian War.
Causes of the Revolutionary War: Taxation without representation. The Stamp Act, Townshend Act, and these Intolerable Acts taxed colonists without consent through Parliament.
Bottom line: the colonies were at a breaking point!…:)
Of interest, he also published instructions for in home abortion in the 1700’s. It was included in a book that included various herbal remedies for everyone.
I had no idea! I'm learning more from this group than from any class I ever took.
Nice! I did not know that. How fitting…..:)
I learned about it when SCOTUS overturned Roe. Thought it was so interesting that, from my reading, it was not a big deal that it was included within the publication and yet here we are.
Excellent points, thank you…:)
Yeah, from a man who messed around a lot and probably got a lot of young women pregnant. Just sayin'. And he probably got the instructions from the indigenous. Indigenous women throughout north America had absolute sovereignty over their own bodies.
Another great history lesson Steve.
"'A republic if you can keep it,' replied Benjamin Franklin." Hear, hear!!
Application to recent times:
- We've fought two great wars in order to keep our Republic - the Civil War, and World War II.
- One against an internal foe, the other against an external foe.
- Both times with tremendous loss of life.
- We're currently in another internal war - against those that would have us turn fascist/authoritarian.
- Hopefully we'll only have to expend a tremendous amount of emotional and intellectual energy to win and keep our Republic this time; but win we must!
In sum, thank you Steve. Having taught American history for more than 20 years, I strove to share the passion I have for America's "David and Goliath" origin story with students. I agree we, as Americans, are obligated to know the details of how a fractured and disparate collection of immigrant citizens, enslaved Africans, and descendants of Europeans, who could trace their roots back not even two centuries, could unite, much less prevail, over the planet's superpower, England, as to which, before 7/2/1776, they were British subjects. Your thoughtful and rich passage today manifests why I barely have read fiction in the past 40 years. The best stories are those which really happened. America's story is almost not credible, yet true. It has inspired countless nations and humans to achieve the ideals framed by the Committee of Five which drafted the most momentous "DearJohn" letter in history. Our governing documents provide me with a sense of pride for which I deserve no credit; however, tragically they firm the basis of my deep disappointment and sometimes genuine anger regarding the movement led by someone whom I doubt can recite even a fraction of what you have graciously shared today and which poses a threat as great as that which almost caused our demise in Lincoln's time. Thank you for allowing me a respite to the profound concerns I have regarding our great experiment and nation to feel that pride as a woman fortunate to be born in America. May God truly continue to bless and sustain us.
Beautifully said. ❤️
OMG!! If every American would read that heart and soul stirring account of how our country came to be, how could they even tolerate a man like Trump.
As is often said, ignorance is no excuse. If you liked at text books and history curricula you'd be disappointed how same miss the rich background of Steve's post today.
Thanks Steve. If only more of our children were really taught American history .
There are many benefits that I have received from my subscription to The Warning, but it is this kind of detailed historical telling about how the country came to be that I feel particularly enriched by..Thank you Steve for sharing this story about Dr. Franklin..
Ditto on that Sam!! ❤️🇺🇸💙
Steve, I want to thank you for your beautifully written piece on Franklin's role in the lead up to the American Revolution. You took us back to that period in our history in a way I must admit, I'd never fully grasped prior to your piece. It's a really moving account of the incredibly vital role that Franklin played in ours and the world's history. Thank you.
I had my first visit to Independence Hall this past September. In Philly for a sports event and added some hours to make the visit. My family and I wated in the rain as the line to enter slowly made its way to the door. The rain and wait made tempting to change plans, but did not. Standing inside I closed my eyes and breathed deeply and truly felt the weight of what transpired within those walls. The incredible brilliance, insight and patience of the men gathered there. I shall never regret or forget my visit. Independence Hall must be visited by all Americans.
The room where it happened!
Fascinating history lesson Steve. I’m not American so especially interesting for me.
Hard to believe that today there are so many who are prepared to throw all of this away. Shameful, really.
Steve -
Fantastic -- I needed to be reminded of this history on this early Saturday morning after yet another distressing week watching our institutions fail to protect our Republic. Can we keep it? Indeed.
Thank you Steve for your excellent and truly thought provoking piece. I am so glad I’ve subscribed to The Warning. Please carry on sir!
John,
And thank YOU for being part of our community!
Steve
Just beautiful Steve. Almost felt like I was there. I learned things about Benjamin Franklin I didn't even know. My biggest takeaway that I can use going forward in my work was how old he was. I love that part. Too bad the Biden campaign couldn't use some of that too. Thanks again for another excellent essay. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Clint Eastwood was asked, “What is your secret to doing such great work late in life?
Eastwood answered,
At about 49, a man starts getting a knock on the door of his heart. He hears a voice that says things like, “You need to start taking fewer risks. You could get hurt. You can’t do the things you used to do when you were younger.” When you hear the knock, don’t let the old man in.
Thanks for the article Steve.
This was nice. One of the great things about growing up in New Jersey was the Revolutionary War sites that abounded.
You had the well-known ones like Washington’s Winter Headquarters in Morristown and the Monmouth Battlefield and the Princeton Battlefield and the Trenton Barracks. But you also had sites of small skirmishes and also endeavors to boot the Brits out.
There was Ringwood where ironworkers fashioned a great chain to lay across a river to block British ships. There was the Batso furnace hidden in the Pine Barrens that forged cannons. I saw cannonballs lodged in an old Quaker Church in Chesterfield. There was fiery Thomas Paine’s home that I walked past all of the time in Bordentown. The history was real in old New Jersey.
Thank you for these fascinating historical details. The US history I learned in school was extremely abbreviated. Franklin was truly a Renaissance Man. When reading your "It is miraculous and the birthright of every human being who is so fortunate to be able to call themselves an American," I was going to make a judgemental comment on the fact that it wasn't "every human being", since Black men and all women weren't included as recipients of these inalienable rights... but you did mention later on the lack of perfection and the mechanisms for improvement over time, so..... I'll let it go :-). As you say, it's too easy to judge the past.