Thank you so much for this important information Mary.
Watching the horror coming out of Highland Park (25 miles from where I live in Chicago) has been so upsetting today. That community has a large Jewish population with a Dem Jewish Mayor Nancy Rotering who won her re-election in 2019 with a 50 point margin against the white nationalist GOP father of the suspect that was taken into custody a little while ago. This is important information everyone needs to be aware of.
Any time anyone expresses distress in America about America, they are attacked. I have seen many blowhards react to the upside down flag with anger as opposed to concern. It's connected to maturity; no mature person believes that any country is blameless or without bad chapters but so many Americans want to kill you if you tell the truth about our history.
I am so glad you are here and that you are referencing our history. Mary: it all begins with the Doctrine of Discovery and that hierarchy informs everything in our nation and many of the so called advanced nations. Look it up and see how it informs how we are all ranked. It was written in 1493.
You forgot to mention the genocide of the Native Americans.
But the signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men in spite of the many flaws:
The Sacrifices Made By The Declaration Signers… | Michael W. Smith:
“Have you ever wondered 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 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.
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, well educated. But they 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 or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, 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. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and 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. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
What happened to the signers of the Declaration of Independence?
While many sacrifices were made by several of the signers, most of this narrative has been debunked and/or further clarified by Snopes. It's a really interesting read!
Thank you for this information. Glad you mentioned the Native Americans whose land was invaded. Those who sought pardons (ie. Jim Jordon, Lauren B., etc.) claim they are the 'real' patriots from the party of 'Law and Order'. The NRA is the new GOP. I hope they start their own country on a remote island or Antarctica. They want to celebrate their freedom to own military style assault weapons to shoot people. Why else would they want these guns with clips, etc.? Not for hunting! These people don't belong here. They are cowards hiding behind a Cult.
Our country has done horrible things to civilians (Iraq, Vietnam, etc. and the bombing of civilians to end WWII and free those in concentration camps). We have evil factory farms to eat animals and their products benefiting our gov't (and the pharma industry which there are documentaries about this). I hope we move on to real peace in our hearts, minds and souls for all life.
Thank you, Mary. It is, for me as well, the first time in my life where I have been so frightened about the going-ons around me. I am devastated by the hate and the lying. I never doubted that love of country would always surpass partisanship and pathetic, petty politics. I am now immersed in the doubt. May we survive; may this experiment of democracy triumph.
I found it hard to celebrate anything today, not when I had to frantically text my son in Chicago to make sure that he was okay after the latest mass shooting.
We are still suffering because of the flawed character of the men who drafted The Constitution. Today, only those who want to deny rights and thwart progress hang onto idealizing the original text. They use “Originalism” as an excuse for cruelty and oppression.
Needed this today…thank you!! I made a comment on Twitter today about the gravity of 1/6 & it has been met with multiple responses of the fact that I am crazy….that no one died…it was cosplaying…etc etc etc 😢 I am truly saddened at the number of people in this country that found that day as perfectly acceptable behavior & still believe the remainder of us are making much ado about nothing!
It definitely is a tough period now. I just can't comprehend how many people seem to be ok with the direction of our country; accepting whatever happens like it's nothing. The Supreme Court decisions blow my mind. We have to find a way to make the masses understand there is so much more at stake here than the price of gas and groceries. Right now, it looks like that's what people are going to vote on.
So happy to see a column! Circumstances very heartbreaking. If ever a time for an upside down flag, it’s now. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch any fireworks this year. nothing. Could not celebrate any notion of ‘freedom’ today.
I read this through a waterfall of tears, Mary. It all feels like it's accelerating, as accountability approaches. We're practically watching Ahura-Mazda fighting back against the powers of darkness. I'm trying to remain hopeful as I remind myself that there are far fewer of the dark ones... they're just louder, nastier, and deadlier. Thanks 🙏
Jonji, a small collective of writers have launched a new (free) substack site - Neo-Fascism: a place to fight fascism with words (blogs, comments, book reviews, even humor). We hope you will find something of value there. Please visit our site; your feedback and comments there are welcome. Thank you,
( in Russia duting the cold war) and always worked for what I consider the best in American values: generosity, democracy, equality, and so on. But this year it has hit me hard that this country was founded by an elite white male society, the Masons, and this country has NEVER included women as equal citizens. The words " Women, she and her" are not in the constitution. Republicans opposed the Equal Rights Amendment, passed in 1973 the same year as Roe by congress. It was finally ratified by the 38th state in January 2020. The House passed a bill in May 2020 to nullify the deadline. Mitch McConnell REFUSED to bring that bill to the floor, saying boldly " I don't believe in it"(women's equality). Chuck Schumer didn't bring it to the Senate floor either!! After watching the fascist junta in the Supreme Court these past weeks and knowing how hard it will be to fight them, I feel sick to my stomach watching the July 4th Celebration. In the past I felt proud and positive. In its priorities survey the democratic party never even mentions " Equal Rights for Women" who comprise 51 percent of the population, give birth to and raise our citizens, who serve in the military and volunteer to run our communities. Today another overentitled angry young man shot numerous people in a parade, the 306th mass shooting this year, an average of 11 a week in this year. Again, Republicans failing to curb gun violence, supporting those who committed armed insurrection against our capital and trying to stop a peaceful and legitimate transfer of power, supporting a right wing minority misogynist takeover of our Supreme court. No, I do not feel like celebrating, even though my ancestor William Floyd signed the Declaration. We have a Democratic president and House of Representatives. We need a COMPLETELY DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT WITH WOMEN IN CHARGE. Apparently that is the only way we will ever have Equal rights like the women of countries like Portugal ( That's right: Portugal). I am SO SICK OF REPUBLICAN MISOGYNY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOT STANDING UP FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN. I will feel better after not thinking about this reality but it will return, this sick, sinking feeling. It is all so different from the mythology
Your words deliver the wallop!!
Thank you, Mary!
Thank you so much for this important information Mary.
Watching the horror coming out of Highland Park (25 miles from where I live in Chicago) has been so upsetting today. That community has a large Jewish population with a Dem Jewish Mayor Nancy Rotering who won her re-election in 2019 with a 50 point margin against the white nationalist GOP father of the suspect that was taken into custody a little while ago. This is important information everyone needs to be aware of.
Thank you for letting us know. Definitely agree, everyone should know of this. It gives the real picture and connection.
Thanks Lynda.
Solidarity from here across the Pond, Mary.
I'm on your side of the pond too Mike, and I wish we had more like Mary L. Trump over here.
Any time anyone expresses distress in America about America, they are attacked. I have seen many blowhards react to the upside down flag with anger as opposed to concern. It's connected to maturity; no mature person believes that any country is blameless or without bad chapters but so many Americans want to kill you if you tell the truth about our history.
I am so glad you are here and that you are referencing our history. Mary: it all begins with the Doctrine of Discovery and that hierarchy informs everything in our nation and many of the so called advanced nations. Look it up and see how it informs how we are all ranked. It was written in 1493.
As a female in this country I am not celebrating today. Not until my rights are restored...rights over my private Healthcare choices. #vote
You forgot to mention the genocide of the Native Americans.
But the signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men in spite of the many flaws:
The Sacrifices Made By The Declaration Signers… | Michael W. Smith:
“Have you ever wondered 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 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.
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, well educated. But they 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 or both, looted the properties of Ellery, Clymer, Hall, 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. The owner quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and 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. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart.
Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.
Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: “For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
What happened to the signers of the Declaration of Independence?
This is the Price They Paid -
https://michaelwsmith.com/the-sacrifices-made-by-the-declaration-signers/
While many sacrifices were made by several of the signers, most of this narrative has been debunked and/or further clarified by Snopes. It's a really interesting read!
Thank you for this!
What Happened to the Declaration of Independence Signers?
A popular essay outlines the fates of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, but many of its details are inaccurate.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-price-they-paid/
Thank you for this information. Glad you mentioned the Native Americans whose land was invaded. Those who sought pardons (ie. Jim Jordon, Lauren B., etc.) claim they are the 'real' patriots from the party of 'Law and Order'. The NRA is the new GOP. I hope they start their own country on a remote island or Antarctica. They want to celebrate their freedom to own military style assault weapons to shoot people. Why else would they want these guns with clips, etc.? Not for hunting! These people don't belong here. They are cowards hiding behind a Cult.
Our country has done horrible things to civilians (Iraq, Vietnam, etc. and the bombing of civilians to end WWII and free those in concentration camps). We have evil factory farms to eat animals and their products benefiting our gov't (and the pharma industry which there are documentaries about this). I hope we move on to real peace in our hearts, minds and souls for all life.
Thank you Mary. Always keep the fight going.
Thank you, Mary. It is, for me as well, the first time in my life where I have been so frightened about the going-ons around me. I am devastated by the hate and the lying. I never doubted that love of country would always surpass partisanship and pathetic, petty politics. I am now immersed in the doubt. May we survive; may this experiment of democracy triumph.
I found it hard to celebrate anything today, not when I had to frantically text my son in Chicago to make sure that he was okay after the latest mass shooting.
We are still suffering because of the flawed character of the men who drafted The Constitution. Today, only those who want to deny rights and thwart progress hang onto idealizing the original text. They use “Originalism” as an excuse for cruelty and oppression.
Needed this today…thank you!! I made a comment on Twitter today about the gravity of 1/6 & it has been met with multiple responses of the fact that I am crazy….that no one died…it was cosplaying…etc etc etc 😢 I am truly saddened at the number of people in this country that found that day as perfectly acceptable behavior & still believe the remainder of us are making much ado about nothing!
Thank you, Mary. Today and the past several weeks have been dark.
It definitely is a tough period now. I just can't comprehend how many people seem to be ok with the direction of our country; accepting whatever happens like it's nothing. The Supreme Court decisions blow my mind. We have to find a way to make the masses understand there is so much more at stake here than the price of gas and groceries. Right now, it looks like that's what people are going to vote on.
So happy to see a column! Circumstances very heartbreaking. If ever a time for an upside down flag, it’s now. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch any fireworks this year. nothing. Could not celebrate any notion of ‘freedom’ today.
I read this through a waterfall of tears, Mary. It all feels like it's accelerating, as accountability approaches. We're practically watching Ahura-Mazda fighting back against the powers of darkness. I'm trying to remain hopeful as I remind myself that there are far fewer of the dark ones... they're just louder, nastier, and deadlier. Thanks 🙏
Jonji, a small collective of writers have launched a new (free) substack site - Neo-Fascism: a place to fight fascism with words (blogs, comments, book reviews, even humor). We hope you will find something of value there. Please visit our site; your feedback and comments there are welcome. Thank you,
https://neofascism.substack.com/
I have been loyal to and represented my country
( in Russia duting the cold war) and always worked for what I consider the best in American values: generosity, democracy, equality, and so on. But this year it has hit me hard that this country was founded by an elite white male society, the Masons, and this country has NEVER included women as equal citizens. The words " Women, she and her" are not in the constitution. Republicans opposed the Equal Rights Amendment, passed in 1973 the same year as Roe by congress. It was finally ratified by the 38th state in January 2020. The House passed a bill in May 2020 to nullify the deadline. Mitch McConnell REFUSED to bring that bill to the floor, saying boldly " I don't believe in it"(women's equality). Chuck Schumer didn't bring it to the Senate floor either!! After watching the fascist junta in the Supreme Court these past weeks and knowing how hard it will be to fight them, I feel sick to my stomach watching the July 4th Celebration. In the past I felt proud and positive. In its priorities survey the democratic party never even mentions " Equal Rights for Women" who comprise 51 percent of the population, give birth to and raise our citizens, who serve in the military and volunteer to run our communities. Today another overentitled angry young man shot numerous people in a parade, the 306th mass shooting this year, an average of 11 a week in this year. Again, Republicans failing to curb gun violence, supporting those who committed armed insurrection against our capital and trying to stop a peaceful and legitimate transfer of power, supporting a right wing minority misogynist takeover of our Supreme court. No, I do not feel like celebrating, even though my ancestor William Floyd signed the Declaration. We have a Democratic president and House of Representatives. We need a COMPLETELY DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT WITH WOMEN IN CHARGE. Apparently that is the only way we will ever have Equal rights like the women of countries like Portugal ( That's right: Portugal). I am SO SICK OF REPUBLICAN MISOGYNY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOT STANDING UP FOR EQUAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN. I will feel better after not thinking about this reality but it will return, this sick, sinking feeling. It is all so different from the mythology
We need more people such as yourself and Mary speaking this Truth to power to protect your country.
Watching with great pain in my heart for all humanity.