╨╧рб▒с>■  35■   2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ье┴#` Ё┐║bjbjбб 1 ├├║      д░░░░░░░─(((( 4 ─y КLLLLLLLL° · · · · · · $hk^ ░╞ LL╞ ╞  ░░LL3 ╠ ╠ ╠ ╞ ░L░L° ╠ ╞ ° ╠ ╠ ░░╠ L@ рпЁC╝╟(╨ j╠ ь I 0y ╠ ╔: И╔╠ ╔░╠ L,x╓╠ Nм·╠LLL  ┬ LLLy ╞ ╞ ╞ ╞ ───d(───(───░░░░░░     17-3-Opinion More Than Hot Dogs Baseball And Apple Pie A Glorious Tradition Needs Standing, Cheering, Firing Of Volleys by Johnny Gunn An opportunity to sit alone for a few minutes and contemplate doesnТt happen often in this business, so while we roasted in early summer heat, I slacked one day, slacked in every sense of the word, and mused on what I would want to have happen if I could make July Fourth my own special day. It already is a very special day, but what if I could do anything with it? Would but I could walk into Liberty Hall and witness the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Glorious it would be to stand next to Thomas Jefferson and hear the arguments raging, witness and join in discussion with those whose signatures are burned into memory. To read the words written by quill while knowing that I would be having supper with Thomas Paine in just a few hours (and a pint or two). What would I say to these magnificent minds? Would I just stammer about for words that wonТt come? In my contemplations I distinctly remember having breakfast with Benjamin Franklyn, and he saying I should plan on joining George Washington within the next day or two and take up arms. To fight alongside that giant of a man, to hold conversation with men who are memorialized in marble and bronze, be a part of the founding of a government that has survived for so many years. Washington was a leader in every sense of the word, and to draw my sword, spur my charger hard just to keep up with his, and hear the battle cry of the original Americans would be enchanting. Washington's army was far different than the one I served in but the purpose was the same. His army created the United States of America, my army defended it. On the other hand, what would Jefferson say if he knew I had come from the future to take part in such a grand scheme as nation making? Would Jefferson believe that his words would be etched in several hundred million minds, that the Untied States of America was a world leader? And Paine, that scamp of a man who contemplated worldwide revolution, in worldwide democracy and the rights of man? What would Paine believe if he came to our time or I could go to his? Paine would believe, I think, because he rarely contemplated the existing but rather what could be. Jefferson would have to be shown. Washington would be pleased that there is no king, no royalty. And Franklyn? Oh, my. Ben would be angry to know that all politics had been lowered to such an extent that money is more important than thought. He would ask Paine to write a pamphlet, he would write three pamphlets, and by God I would write one as well. Thomas Paine and I would wend our way through the muddy streets of Philadelphia looking for a pub, of course, swill some rum and John Barleycorn, and plot world revolution. ItТs still hard to understand that the man that many claim as being responsible for many of WashingtonТs victories through his writing never became an American citizen. Paine never renounced his British citizenship, but his heart was always American. Our goblets would clank several times as the evening wore on. My pamphlets would center on such things as the continued individual freedoms that are slowly being taken from us; the eroding of rights that these men created for us, not just in their words, but in their blood; our loss through neglect of bringing real leaders into Washington, neglect at the polls, neglect at recognizing a leader; telling the difference between a leader and a rock star. Paine's pamphlets would burn with the zeal of a revolutionary, urging the idea of thought leading to action, not the other way around, an idea he promulgated at every opportunity. Paine's pamphlets would be read at every campfire in every bivouac of Washington's army. Of the day, I would glory in remembrance, and only regret that I wasnТt there in reality, for July 4, 1776 is far more than just a very special day. WeТve come close to losing the values wrought that day, weТve had leaders that didnТt hold these truths to be self evident, weТve also been blessed with men like Lincoln who fully understood what that simple date really means. Paine would not spend the day with hot dogs, baseball, and apple pie. 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