Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
by Mark Noonan on July 4th, 2008 at 06:00am
…If we wish to be free — if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending — if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak — unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?
Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable — and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, “Peace! Peace!” — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! - Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775
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July 4th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Compare that to the weak Brits now. Liberal, Progressive, seeking an enlightened world view. Seeking like our liberal Supreme Justices to incorporate world opinion into their Constitutional interpretations, not our Constitution. Like the “Progressive Democrats” in America.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1031611/Sharia-law-SHOULD-used-Britain-says-UKs-judge.html
July 4th, 2008 at 9:01 am
How happy a thing it would be that America could see that these mighty words apply to all Souls in all nations who wish to be free! In time America will cease her march to become what Great Britain was in Patrick Henry’s time.
July 4th, 2008 at 9:43 am
“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet..” - Patrick Henry
I had forgotten what a profound speech that was. The words above resonate with me.
There is a faction of our political landscape that appear to have forgotten these words and are seemingly wanting peace at any price. Withdrawing from conflict does not bring peace. Inaccurately identifying, and ignoring evil does not bring peace. Peace is only acheived through strength and the willingness to use that strength.
And as a Christian, I have a hard time reconciling the fact that too many good people on this planet selfishly sit by and extend condolences and sympathies to those trapped in violent oppression, yet will not fight for their liberty as they did their own.
Why is their outraged directed towards perceived oppression and not actual atrocities?
Are we fighting windmills easier?
Where have all the honorable and courageous men like Patrick Henry gone? Those who knew clearly right from wrong and weren’t afraid to stand up, and die for it.
Give me liberty or definitely give me death.
Despite all it’s flaws, America is the greatest country man has ever known.
I wish you all well
peace, neocon
July 4th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Pain
In Patrick Henry’s time YOU would have been calling him a traitor and calling for his death much like you are today for our HERO PRESIDENT….
GEORGE W. BUSCH!
Happy 4th of July for those AMERICANS who post here HOO WAH!
For the rest of the FOREIGN TROLLS P!$$ OFF!
July 4th, 2008 at 9:50 am
NEO…
OOPS
BUSCH = BEER
BUSH = President
Shows whats on my 4th of July mind LOL!
July 4th, 2008 at 10:05 am
[...] Blogs For Victory features a famous Patrick Henry speech [...]
July 4th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I will raise a Busch to you FmrMarine.
Thank you for your service.
Have a great day
peace, neocon
July 4th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Neo
You to my Friend….Keep up the good posting!!
July 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Well, this is a bit off topic Mark but bear with me. I found the following today:
“WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says “mental distress” should not qualify as a health exception for late term-abortions, a key distinction not embraced by many supporters of abortion rights.”
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080703/D91MKQ681.html
It appears that Obama now supports liberty over death, much to the chagrin, and support of his base.
Obamas run to the center will cost him the election as it was the far left base that gave him the nomination.
have a great holiday
peace, neocon
July 4th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Death it shall be then. But first…a little ru-ru!
July 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
the chains are once again forged…and our bondage to foreign oil makes that apparent
July 4th, 2008 at 10:57 am
9. neocon
the guiles of satan are complex
July 4th, 2008 at 11:00 am
neocon,
“Obamas run to the center will cost him the election as it was the far left base that gave him the nomination.”
I wouldn’t count on that. I don’t think anyone on the left would vote for McCain just because Obama shifts a few degrees to the center. They realize this is the best chance they have to get someone like Obama in. Besides, as you and others have pointed out, some of his followers as almost as fanatical towards him as a lot of the Bush devotees on this blog are with Bush (I’m not including you in that group).
July 4th, 2008 at 11:05 am
AMERICA EXPERIENCES A LITTLE MORE LIBERTY!!!!!! JESSE HELMS IS DEAD…. HALALUAH!!!!!!!!!! GOOD RIDDANCE :-D
July 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am
3. neocon | July 4th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Withdrawing from conflict and withdrawing from percieved threat are two different things my friend. I agree about the power of Patrick Henry’s words and today he would have to revise them and they would fall on deaf ears.
America isn’t fighting for freedom in the Middle East it is fighting for the American lifestyle, control of resources and the profits that can be gleaned by the elites from each. Patriotism is a tool to be used to enlist the masses to do things outside their better interests.
“Is lifestyle so dear or material comfort so sweet as to be purchased at the price of war without end and debt in perpetuity?”
July 4th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Frederick,
Your comment of a “perceived threat” exposes your ignorance toward radical islam and their intent. I will assert again, it’s the inability to properly define and identify evil, that perpetuates violence and chaos, and you my friend, are the poster child.
And it is the American lifestyle of liberty, freedom and the individual pursuit of happiness that people across the world are risking their lives to embrace. They cross oceans and deserts at the risk of their own life to pursue.
And the fact that you view America as an excessive, unsustainable, materialistic society only exposes you as a myopic proponent of defeat and oppression.
Casper,
Much like the Christian right and their displeasure with McCain that may keep them home on election day, so too will Obamas far left support sit this one out if he does not diligently support their cause.
Markos will lead that effort.
have a centrist day
peace, neocon
July 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Frederick,
Also, liberty demands an unending war if that’s what it requires, and that was the meaning of Patrick Henry’s words.
Would you choose to live in oppression if it meant the end of all wars?
peace, neocon
July 4th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
SEW it’s people like you that give America a bad name. Reading the daily mail does not give you an informed opinion about Britain, in fact I’d be surprised if reading the dail mail gave anyone an informed opinion about anything. Britain may not hold a position of power in the world anymore but that does not make us weak and slagging us off does not help the “special relationship”.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Happy 4th
I hope everyone is having a happy Independence Day so far. Already I’ve seen a flurry of patriotic posts across so many of my favorite blogs this morning, but the best I’ve seen thus far would be my Cotillion sister Cassandra at Villainous…
July 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
weefee, Caving to Sharia is weak. Read the comments of your fellow Brits. Not printing Mohammed cartoons is weak. We have the same problem here. I am fearful for your country as I am for mine.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1031611/Sharia-law-SHOULD-used-Britain-says-UKs-judge.html
July 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Sew;
ROTFLMAO
How in the world could ANYBODY take some idiot in a drag style wig like that seriously?
AND
How could people who live in a country whose judiciary dresses like that, possibly troll here and condemn the US?
maybe that explains the pitch forkers from hell.
July 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
nip
>>>! JESSE HELMS IS DEAD…. HALALUAH!!!!!!!!!! GOOD RIDDANCE :-D>>>>
Typical marxist-leftest.
It didnt take as long as i thought for some puke to post their filthy venom here about a fine man.
May you follow in his recent footsteps ….SOON!
July 4th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Liberty means the Bill of Rights, which Bush and his ilk are destroying.
Congress is still trying to pass a FISA bill that violates our 4th Amendment.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:39 am
17. neocon | July 4th, 2008 at 11:42 am
If all wars were ended on Terra there would be far less oppression.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:42 am
21. FmrMarine | July 4th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Rich irony coming from someone who likely trumpeted “Britain standing as an great American ally against terrorism” in 2003 when the illegal war began.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:45 am
4. FmrMarine | July 4th, 2008 at 9:47 am
No, We too would have been fighting the oppressive regime of George the Third just as now We throw Our allegiance to those who seek to undermine, as every turn, the anti-Constitutional actions of George the Forty Third.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
paininthea$$
>>>in 2003 when the illegal war began.>>>
PROVE it or SHUT UP!
July 5th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
27. FmrMarine | July 5th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
No. We say it was an illegal war therefore it IS an illegal war and that is that. You do not have to explain your postions, why should We?
Where is your PROOF that the war was justified? Where are the weapons of mass destruction that Saddam was going to give to terrorists or use against America himself?
Prove the legitimacy of this illegal war or shut up yourself!
July 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
pain gumdrop pitchforker from hell
YOU dont even live in the US.
You are losing liberties in GB faster then your girlfriends undies come off.
You should consider worrying about YOUR house and not ours.
Worry about YOUR govt. and their actions in the world not ours.
You are a nutcase TROLL along with the other lunatics from your little cult who continually spew your vile poison here.
July 5th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
“If all wars were ended on Terra there would be far less oppression.” - Pain
Proof?
have a propaganda day
peace, neocon
July 5th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
“Prove the legitimacy of this illegal war or shut up yourself!” Pain
http://www.c-span.org/resources/pdf/hjres114.pdf
Next
peace, neocon
July 6th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Fmrmarine, we are losing liberties in the UK pretty badly at the moment but not because of fundamentalist Islam, our dearly beloved PM as managed to get through a bill allowing people to be held withot charge for 42 days. If being held without charge didn’t work in NI why the hell would it work now?
As for our judiciary well yeah they look like numpties but that doesn’t mean that our legal systems are poor or flawed. British judicial tradition goes back a long way and the people of Britain can be proud of both Scots and English law.
I notice sew ignored in that article that Orthodox Jews have their own Beth Din courts which follow Jewish law as long as jewish law complies with English or Scots law. As this is the case why shoud Orthosdox Jews be allowed to get Jewish divorces and Judaism centered answers to their problems etc when Muslims or those of other faiths cannot? No laws made by ANY religious court should overrule the laws of the land.
Unfoetunatly for those of us not living in the US, what the US does has an impact on us. I come to this blog to see what other people think and consider their opinions. Whilst I daresay I disagree with many things said by those on the right I also disagree with things said by those on the left.
I’m pretty sure Fmrmarine you want to stay the course in Iraq and I agree with you I think we should stay in Iraq until the job is done. However I will disagree with you on other things such abortion or whether the Iraq war was right. Just because I disagree with some things you say doesn’t mean I disagree with everything, what would be the point of visiting a blog which just mirrors your own opinions?