29th Street Ballroom
Remembering What Drove Colonists to Rebel
RECEIVED Mon., June 30, 2008
Dear Editor,
As we celebrate our nation's independence, it is an opportune time to recall what drove the American colonists to rebel. In their own Declaration of 1776, they listed their grievances against King George III of the UK; in part, they wrote:
"For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment of any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: … For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: … He has excited domestic nsurrections amongst us. … "
Now reminisce on the recent past: U.S.-led armies in Afghanistan and Iraq, Blackwater and contractor immunity, trade sanctions, Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo, Muqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi militants, the Taliban resurgence.
History repeats itself. The script outline is the same, the actors change. Though by chance, lead actors sometimes have the same first name. Isn't that curious, George?
As we celebrate our nation's independence, it is an opportune time to recall what drove the American colonists to rebel. In their own Declaration of 1776, they listed their grievances against King George III of the UK; in part, they wrote:
"For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us: For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment of any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: … For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury: For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences: … He has excited domestic nsurrections amongst us. … "
Now reminisce on the recent past: U.S.-led armies in Afghanistan and Iraq, Blackwater and contractor immunity, trade sanctions, Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo, Muqtada al-Sadr and Iraqi militants, the Taliban resurgence.
History repeats itself. The script outline is the same, the actors change. Though by chance, lead actors sometimes have the same first name. Isn't that curious, George?
Apostolos Lerios