My Patriotic Fervor

In the summer of 2007 I visited the great city of Boston for the very first time. I should preface this story by telling you that it's only been in the past 7 years that I've become Very Interested in our political process and I'm somewhat of a nerd about it; listening to talk radio and reading books with subtitles like "And Other Great Documents of American History". I never thought this is what would happen but it's happening and I love it. I follow scandalous political moments like my grandma used to follow All My Children.

So picture me in Boston on the guided tour of the Freedom Trail. My lady guide, dressed as a colonial woman, walked us through the streets of bean town telling vivid stories of the American rebels, most of whom we were not told about in History class, like James Otis. I fell in love with these bad-ass patriots, fell in love with their ideas and the promise our youthful nation! I am one who believes with all my heart that the true patriots of this country today are the activists against our present administration. There are too many reasons why to list right now but just know that the list is the longest and most corrupt that our nation has ever faced. It's pretty disgusting, really.

I feel moved to pass on a tidbit I read today in one of my dorky books. This document I was reading was titled "Washington's Farewell Address". I found it so moving because he had first written it when he wanted to resign in 1792 but found that after his first term there was much demand that he be president again that he served the nation for another term as to not let the people down in a time when everything was new and unknown. In describing how important it will be in the future that parties put the will of the people above all he gives us a prophetic look into the future;

"However combinations of Associations of the above description may now & then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipaled men will be enabled to subvert the Power of the People, & to usurp for themselves the reins of Government; destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

Okay, I'm a dork because that brought tears to my eyes. Also, for your information, his farewell address was never delivered as a speech. Twas only printed in the newspapers, and it's quite long so I'd imagine it was a few full pages in type. Amazing. The picture is a statue of the father of our democracy not just a beer-maker, Samuel Adams, in front of Faneuil Hall, Boston, Ma.