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July 04, 2004
Quote(s) of the Day
Thomas Jefferson:
The flames kindled on the 4th of July 1776, have spread over too much of the globe to be extinguished by the feeble engines of despotism; on the contrary, they will consume these engines and all who work them.
(letter to John Adams, September 12, 1821)
Daniel Webster:
It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment, independence now and independence forever.
(Eulogy on Adams and Jefferson, Aug. 2, 1826)
Posted by Russ at 11:46 AM, July 4, 2004 in Quotes
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Elephants quoting Jefferson always tickle me. Jefferson was a Diest, did not support "Religion" and also said, (I'm paraphrasing) dessent is the mark of a patriot. He supported the idea of a revolution every 35 years or so and disdained conservatives, preferring instead to be a progressive and yes, a Democrat.
Posted by: YELLOW DOG '04 at July 6, 2004 10:19 AM
I'm so glad you're tickled.
You're entitled to your opinion, but don't go judging Jefferson by 21st century standards.
Labels are a trap. By late-18th / early-19th century standards, even I would have been a "progressive." You seem to ignore the basic truth that "conservative" depends on what one is trying to conserve.
As to whether he was a Democrat, well, duh, there was no Republican party then. I think that today he would certainly not be a Donk. He'd say, like Reagan, that he hadn't left the party, but that the party had left him.
But all that is secondary to one key consideration: the quote I used is still valid, regardless of who originally uttered it. Ad hominem (Jefferson being the hominem here) arguments are weak and useless.
Posted by: Russ at July 6, 2004 02:24 PM
Imperial Department of Hegemony By Force
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Comments
Elephants quoting Jefferson always tickle me. Jefferson was a Diest, did not support "Religion" and also said, (I'm paraphrasing) dessent is the mark of a patriot. He supported the idea of a revolution every 35 years or so and disdained conservatives, preferring instead to be a progressive and yes, a Democrat.
Posted by: YELLOW DOG '04 at July 6, 2004 10:19 AM
I'm so glad you're tickled.
You're entitled to your opinion, but don't go judging Jefferson by 21st century standards.
Labels are a trap. By late-18th / early-19th century standards, even I would have been a "progressive." You seem to ignore the basic truth that "conservative" depends on what one is trying to conserve.
As to whether he was a Democrat, well, duh, there was no Republican party then. I think that today he would certainly not be a Donk. He'd say, like Reagan, that he hadn't left the party, but that the party had left him.
But all that is secondary to one key consideration: the quote I used is still valid, regardless of who originally uttered it. Ad hominem (Jefferson being the hominem here) arguments are weak and useless.
Posted by: Russ at July 6, 2004 02:24 PM