The Declaration of Independence; Apology

Please accept my apologies for taking so long on this project. I really am genuinely excited about it, but life gets in my way quite a bit.

I will proceed with the rest of my thoughts.


4. "He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries." - 11th ph.

This irritated me when I read it, and continues to. We all have agency. Reading this makes it sound, to me, like the King forced these Judges to do only what he wanted them to do, and if they didn't he'd have them done-in. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, maybe I'm not understanding something. But if this is what it means, then I am all the more proud of our forefathers for taking a stand as they did. Because no one - not even God - can take agency away from another being. We all have the right to choose. And if I'm not mistaken, it is the responsibility of a Judge, to make choices! Is it not? That's what judges do! They review a case, review the laws, and make the calls. They are the decision-makers of our government. To have that taken away is morally wrong.



5. "For protecting [large bodies of armed troops], by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States" -16th ph.

The King let his troops force their way into homes without consent of the homeowners, and commit terrible crimes. And then he stood by and just let it happen. Remember, the Judges couldn't do anything, or they'd be fired or killed, so the Trials these troops were put through, didn't amount to anything. I also think it's interesting, that the word "Murders" is capitalized. This tells me that not only is it wrong to commit murder, but these men considered these Murders an Event. One, in my mind, that led to the signing of the Declaration itself.



6. "For imposing taxes on us without our Consent." - 18th ph.

Here is another place where capitalization stood out to me. "Consent". It means agreeing to or giving permission. But again, like our agency, the right to give our consent is Divinely given, and cannot just be ignored. When it is, there are consequences. As the king found out.



7. "For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies." -21st ph.

So, I tried to find out which country (neighboring Province) this was done to, but couldn't find anything on it. I would assume it might have been Canada, but I could be way off. If anyone knows, or has an idea of which country it is referring to, please comment and let me know. As for what it's actually saying the king did, it was a good try, but just because one group of people is okay with (or putting up with) a tyrannical dictator, doesn't mean everybody will be. I can't help thinking, again, that these people left England for a reason. And that was to get out from under the thumb of the king!


8. "A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people." -29th ph. 3rd sen.

After all they've accused him of doing (or not doing), I felt that this one sentence sums up the motives of these people so perfectly. Having been through hell, they understand that they deserve, and have a right to, better treatment than what they've been given by the king.


9. "That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;..." -31st ph. (Towards the end of the first sentence.)
Also, referring back to #1, and the "Right of the People".

Again, a specific capitalization. That we, as members of the human race, have basic, Divinely given Rights. And, to be honest, they are essential to our happiness and survival!


10. "...we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." - Last line.

Whenever I read this, I get chills. Again, note the capitalizations. These men knew, with every part of their bodies and souls, that they very well might die in the attempt to free themselves and their people from the bondage they were under. But they also knew that theirs was a Righteous cause, and that they - every man in that room, whose names are on this document - were willing to give everything they had to attempt the impossible. It is true that these United States were consecrated by God and set apart as a promised land.

I love this country. I am grateful that over the years, the U.S.A and England have resolved their differences and become allies, and friends. Europe is a beautiful part of the world, Britain especially. And it is a blessing to be able to visit there when one can. The history between these two great powers, was marred by selfish individuals, but for the present, and in the future, we are, and can be, united.


In God We Trust.

The Page Traveler

The Declaration of Independence

Please, before reading this post, read The Declaration first. And preferably, have it up while you read this so you can go through it with me. Feel free to share your thoughts, agree, disagree, expound, etc. Thank you.


Definitions

Unalienable: Inalienable; incapable of being alienated, surrendered or transfered.

• Alienation: a withdrawing or separation of a person or person's affections from an object or position of former attachment.

Prudence: sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs.

• Sagacity: the quality of a keen mind.

Despotism: a system of government in which a ruler has absolute power.

Assent: to agree or concur.

Inestimable: incapable of being estimated or computed.

Depository: a place where something is deposited, especially for safe keeping.

Appropriation: something set aside by formal action for a specific use.

Arbitrary: determined by will or caprice; selected at random.

• Caprice: a sudden whim or fancy, an inclination to do things impulsively

Charter: an official document granting rights or privileges (as to a colony, town, or college) from a sovereign or a governing body.

Abdicated (abdicate): to give up or relinquish (as a throne) formally.

Perfidy: violation of faith or loyalty.

Insurrections: an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or established government.

Consanguinity: blood relationship.


Thoughts

As I read through this time, defining words I either didn't understand or wanted a more precise grasp on, I noted things that stood out to me as important. In case you hadn't guessed, this is going to be a looooooooooong post.


1. "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." - 2nd ph, 3rd sen.

This is under the list of "truths... self-evident" in other words, common sense. I agree with the Founding Fathers. If a group of people is being oppressed, they do indeed have the Right to change their existing government. No one wants to be treated the way these people were. They left Britain for a reason, and that reason followed them. The way I see it, they are doing what they feel they must.

2.  "...experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." - 2nd ph, 4th sen.

Why do we do this? Are we not doing it now, here in America? Of course, we really did this to ourselves. We voted. We are so blessed to have the system of government we now have, that one man cannot serve as the head of our country for more than eight years. This also applies to a great many other things. Do we have the house we want? The car we want? The relationship we want? All of these things are TRULY in our power to change, and yet we generally put up with them. Is this human nature? I guess it must be, we do it so often. Granted, change is difficult to do, which is probably why we don't, even when it's best for us.

3. "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." -2nd ph, 5th sen.

We have a DUTY to change the existing government when it is not in compliance with our basic "unalienable rights". A duty! What is "duty" to you? Is it an obligation? A privilege? An ability? My cool new fancy dictionary says this: conduct or action required by one's occupation or position. To me it means all of those things. When we are being over powered by a government that refuses to listen to our will, as "the people", we have the obligation, the privilege, the requirement and the ABILITY to change it. Change is hard, but it is well worth the work it takes. If we can keep the end result in mind as we go through the change, whatever that might be, the change will happen faster. Stop focusing on the problem, and put your energy into a solution. This is our duty in all areas of life, not just politics.

That's only three thoughts, and I really didn't go into detail because I was trying to keep it short for you. I'll save the rest for another day. Let me know what you think. 

Thanks for reading!

The Page Traveler

The Giver, "Utopia" vs. Zion

*If you are indisposed to hearing religious opinions, please don't read this post. More importantly, please don't make negative comments on it. Thanks.*

In just a few hours, I have finished this book. It literally wrenched my heart. I cried in places, and I think I might get nightmares about one part in particular. But I need to clarify what I said in my last post about God and a Utopian society. 

When I said that, I was thinking of Zion. Not Utopia. After completing this book, I realize that they are two very different things, though they have some of the same characteristics. Turner has helped me think this through a little.

In both societies there is peace.

Order is well established.

There is very little, if any, sin (rule breaking).

However, the differences far outweigh the similarities when it comes to importance.

In Utopia (as described in The Giver,) there is no understanding. It's like they're living in the Garden of Eden before Eve partook of the fruit. Like the Giver says, they just don't know. They don't understand that there is any more to life than the little they experience. They can't! They can't possibly understand! 

And going along with understanding, is agency. In this community, there is very little choice. Sure you can choose to break a rule, but you'll be punished surely and swiftly, and if it happens more than three times, you're out (that is the most gruesome thing I have ever read, ever. Their 'being released' from the community). 

However, in Zion, God's Utopia, if you will, there is complete understanding. The individuals know what happiness and pain are, they know what right and wrong are, and they choose right. They choose happiness. I know that this is possible, because I have had times of Zion in my own life! 

And agency is paramount. We MUST be able to choose, to have Zion! We choose to be of one heart and one mind. To care for each other freely as needs arise. To never, EVER turn someone away who is a little weaker, or a little less perfect, but to love them all the more! God's Utopia, Zion, is a place of love. And trust me when I say that God's love for us, His children, is greater and stronger than anything you've ever felt. Just a portion put into your heart would take your breath away. We as mortals cannot begin to comprehend the depth of His perfect, divine, overwhelming love for us. Zion is, and always has been, infused with that love.

I have been taught that when Christ comes again, He will reign in Zion. As I said above, people in Zion are of one heart, and of one mind, and dwell in righteousness. When we choose righteousness continually, we are indisposed to sin. Christ will reign, but the people will govern themselves. I'm sure a system of righteous government will be set up, but it will rarely be used, I'm sure, because it will rarely be needed. Turner gave this example. If you are a law-abiding citizen, and have no crimes committed against you, how often do you see policemen? My response was never. They're still there, for those who don't follow the laws, or who make mistakes, but they only perform those duties when needed. That made sense to me. 

Lastly, and most importantly, to whom do we owe our eternal freedom? 

To Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

If He asks me to do something, I will do it. Will He ask us to do things in Zion? Maybe... I don't know. But when He reigns, and asks that I live my life righteously to the best of my ability, I will do it. I owe everything to Him. And when we know that, keeping a few commandments seems small compensation for all He's done for us.

In summary, when Utopia is attempted by mankind, it doesn't work. When the Lord reigns in Zion, it will.

Thanks for reading.

The Page Traveler

Sidetracked: The Giver, by Lois Lowry

I promise I had every intention of doing the declaration this week, but when my husband brought home my fancy new dictionary (which, by the way, is cool and lame all at once...) he also brought home one of his favorite books, The Giver  by Lois Lowry. He had told me about it before, but I didn't feel interested. As he read through the first few chapters, and started giving me quotes, I became intrigued, so I picked it up.

I am amazed.

It holds my attention like nothing else. The idea of a "perfect" society is obviously something that we all wish could be true, but I fear that this is how it would work if mankind were determined to do it. From my religious perspective, the only way a perfect society can function is under the direction of God. I believe this is because we, mankind, are too imperfect. If a human leads (especially one who doesn't look for guidance through prayer) there are bound to be imperfections. Pride, selfishness, dishonesty, all tend to come out when we are under pressure of perfection. However, God and Christ are perfect, and therefore would be able to lead us in the best way possible.

I am only in chapter nine of twenty-three, so I know I've only just scratched the surface, but I intend to finish it soon. My apologies for going off schedule, I will finish my D of I assignment soon.

Turning pages quickly,

The Page Turner

The Declaration of Independence

The Founding Fathers were incredible men. When I read this document, I can feel the power in the words they chose. I can feel their passion, and their determination, and even their fear. I can imagine that having been under such treatment from the British crown for so long, there would be a little bit of fear there. Fear, but NO apprehension. These men knew exactly what they were getting them selves (and their countrymen) into. 

My assignment (from the back of the book A Thomas Jefferson Education) is to first, read through this once without doing anything else. Second, read through it again, look up any words I don't understand, and write down their definitions. Third, to go through and choose ten ideas from the document that interest me. And lastly, to sit down with a couple of other people, and explain these ten ideas to them.  For me, the people I'd really like to do that with, are my husband, and my sister-in-law. However, my husband is busy with school, and my sister-in-law lives  far far away. So, I will do it here. (Though I'll probably talk to them about it at some point as well.)

As of now, all I have done is read through the first time. Because I don't have a dictionary. I plan on going to the bookstore tomorrow night, and getting one. Because I need one. Google won't cut it for me anymore, I want a real live dictionary.

So, look forward to the next post, which will be definitions, and thoughts. It probably won't come until later this week though. You're welcome to join me in this adventure! The more the merrier.

"When in the course of human events..."

The Page Traveler

The Lonesome Gods, Final Thoughts

For having read so little last week, I read a lot this week. The second half of the book moves a lot faster than the first does. L'Amour takes time to get the characters very well established before moving on. It made it hard to get through, because there were slow spots, but once I pushed through those it was a very easy read.

First of all, I really enjoyed this novel. It taught about decency, being aware of your surroundings, and a lot about loyalty. The main character (Johannes Verne) becomes sort of a 'Jason Bourne' of the old west. He is seriously awesome, no matter who he's up against, you can just feel that he's going to prevail.

In my first post on this book, I talked about when Don Isidro (the grandfather of Johannes) left him in the desert to die, and his physical reaction when Johannes called him Grandpa. This was left unresolved until (literally) ten pages from the end. This is probably about ten years later (we're not given an exact year past the time when Johannes is ten years old, so I'm guessing the boy is around 18 or 19). Don Isidro finally accepts the fact that he has lost, and thinks to himself,

"All so useless! So foolish! Back there in the desert, when the boy said so bravely, 'Goodbye, Grandpa!' I should have gathered him in my arms and taken him home."

We learn that the young man who was with Don Isidro was the catalyst for killing Zachary Verne, and nearly killing Johannes. That young man hoped to inherit with them out of the way. I am grateful at least that Don Isidro realized that what he did was stupid (for lack of a better word).

The only other thing I want to say here, is that I didn't really like the ending. I mean, the last line is perfect, I wouldn't want to change that, but I sort of with he'd written an epilogue to give me a little more closure on some things. Sure I can imagine them, but I like having the author's vision.

Other than that, I very much enjoyed this read, and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in action fiction. There were a lot of things that were unpredictable to me, which I liked. It kept me guessing, and made me want to keep reading. Thank goodness the good guy wins.

I will be starting to read through the Declaration of Independence this coming week, and once I read through it a couple of times, I'll start trying to delve deeper into it. My plan is to annotate and ask as many questions as I can. I hope those of you who read this (like, four) will give your own input as I go along.

Thanks for reading!

The Page Traveler