(no subject)
Dear Everyone Alive,
We are all aware of that famous Ben Franklin quote. Yes, that one, about Liberty and Security and what we deserve. Here's the thing: It's over-played. I say this as someone who used this quote long before its popularity re-emerged. Believe me, I'm a fan of that quote. But here you all are, whipping it out in situations where another might be more appropriate, like a (completely hypothetical) teenage virgin whipping out his (completely hypothetical) junk for the express purpose of impressing the (again, COMPLETELY HYPOTHETICAL) Head Varsity Cheerleader, who would be just as disgusted if he presented his, say, (completely hypothetical) comic book collection.
I may have let that analogy get away from me a little bit. But here's the real point: THERE ARE OTHER QUOTES YOU CAN USE.
For instance: Thomas Jefferson once said, "Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." There! Bam! This isn't advice on merely not sacrificing liberty, it's advice on how to ensure Liberty!
But say you really like the near-biblical forecast, the undertone of implied violence of the Franklin quote? Well, how about Sam Adams? "The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks."
Look! Not even subtle! It comes right out and says it!
George Bernard Shaw! "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." Bam! Libertarians, check that out! It's your job, not the Government's!
Voltaire: "The true character of liberty is independence, maintained by force." Look! Violence!
Henry Louis Mencken: "All government, of course, is against liberty."
Look at all these beautiful quotes. Please. Everyone alive, please. Give Ben just a tiny rest. Please.
We are all aware of that famous Ben Franklin quote. Yes, that one, about Liberty and Security and what we deserve. Here's the thing: It's over-played. I say this as someone who used this quote long before its popularity re-emerged. Believe me, I'm a fan of that quote. But here you all are, whipping it out in situations where another might be more appropriate, like a (completely hypothetical) teenage virgin whipping out his (completely hypothetical) junk for the express purpose of impressing the (again, COMPLETELY HYPOTHETICAL) Head Varsity Cheerleader, who would be just as disgusted if he presented his, say, (completely hypothetical) comic book collection.
I may have let that analogy get away from me a little bit. But here's the real point: THERE ARE OTHER QUOTES YOU CAN USE.
For instance: Thomas Jefferson once said, "Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." There! Bam! This isn't advice on merely not sacrificing liberty, it's advice on how to ensure Liberty!
But say you really like the near-biblical forecast, the undertone of implied violence of the Franklin quote? Well, how about Sam Adams? "The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks."
Look! Not even subtle! It comes right out and says it!
George Bernard Shaw! "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." Bam! Libertarians, check that out! It's your job, not the Government's!
Voltaire: "The true character of liberty is independence, maintained by force." Look! Violence!
Henry Louis Mencken: "All government, of course, is against liberty."
Look at all these beautiful quotes. Please. Everyone alive, please. Give Ben just a tiny rest. Please.