July 02, 2005

I get a lot of email, and about 5% of it is actually worth reading. One mailing list that I'm on is Paul Jacob's "Common Sense." These are quick to read and often cause me to nod in agreement, or occasionally wonder if Paul's been out in the sun too long. Today's email, Champ Against the Bit, seemed particularly relevant since this is Independence Day weekend. It comments on the chilling effects of McCain-Feingold and now the FEC's contemplation of blog regulation. Paul says, "We must fight back. If the new regulations are indeed imposed, let's treat a single assault on a single Internet publisher for a single alleged free speech "transgression" as an assault on all of us. Therefore, as soon as one guy talking politics on the Net is targeted for having the wrong political opinion or linking to the wrong political website, every other concerned netizen should repeat the same violation. Let them bring up a million people on charges for talking out of turn, instead of just one. "

Have we got the nerve to do it? Have I? Would I, for principle's sake, abandon my family to sit in a jail for the sake of a cause? Would I let my business collapse - this is a small business and it would take less than six months for that to happen - and have that, plus any legal bills that accrue, adversely affect my family? Would you? Would anyone?

I've seen this all over the net for the last few years, and because I can't find the original author I'm including it here in full:

What happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

* Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
* Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned; two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
* Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
* They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

The price of freedom ran high for the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means. They were well-educated, and signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He urged General George Washington to open fire, and the home was destroyed. Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. Remember: freedom is never free!

I don't know if I have the backbone to stand up for freedom of speech, for America. I won't know until the moment of decision actually comes. In spite of all the tough talk that is dished out from behind the safety of the keyboard, I suspect that most people do not. When I spoke about this to my husband he said it wouldn't be worth it to go to jail even for a few months, or risk financial hardship, because it wouldn't matter anyway. The media would spin it, or ignore it, and it would be a waste of time. Maybe so. Then too, he loves me and does not want to see me hurt for any reason, noble or not. But if we don't stand up, what price then? If we stand up and the media spins or ignores it, is the gesture any less noble for receiving a poor reception? Can we sit by and have our freedom of speech taken without even a protest? Are we still worthy to be called Americans?

I hope that this Independence Day and in the months following as the FEC does whatever they decide to do, we all take a hard look at what we've become and consider what legacy we want to pass on to future generations.

I have accepted a seat in the [Massachusetts] House of Representatives, and thereby have consented to my own ruin, to your ruin, and the ruin of our children. I give you this warning, that you may prepare your mind for your fate.
John Adams, to Abigail Adams, May 1770

It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776

Happy Independence Day.

Posted by Laura Curtis at July 2, 2005 01:14 PM

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