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Conference 7.286::sports_91

Title:	CAM::SPORTS -- Digital's Daily Sports Tabloid
Notice:	This file has been archived. New notes to CAM3::SPORTS.
Moderator:	CAM3::WAY

Created:	Fri Dec 21 1990
Last Modified:	Mon Nov 01 1993
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	290
Total number of notes:	84103

269.0. "Chainsaw's Independence Day Essay" by CAMONE::WAY (You think slower when you graze) Thu Jul 02 1992 16:38

Well, it's late, it's close to that magical hour when we leave here and
head on out for a three day weekend.

In the past I've had my holiday essays written and in long before this.
This year, however, the inspiration that so often grew inside of me,
the swelling of pride within the naive person that I once was, the
heart that wouldn't quit, has failed me.

Like a man who has had a stroke trying to put some simple building blocks
together, I sit with hands which will not work, a mind that strives to
break free of bondage, and here I am, with an essay to write and
no reason to celebrate.


Thomas Jefferson.  Thomas Jefferson had some words to write.  The words
that he had to write were far, far more important than any effort I might
make could ever be.   As I sit here, shoulders slumped looking for what used
to flow so freely, I can see him all those years ago, back bent with
awesome responsibility.

Thomas Jefferson was to pen the document that would light the world's way to 
freedom.  He was to write, with bold strokes and steady hand, a document
which encompasses so much common sense, which lists in plain and simple
language the beliefs of all men, everywhere, who believe in freedom, 
and yet is so rare in this world today.



After he had penned this beacon to a new age, his compatriots signed it.
From John Hancock, who signed it in letters so large that His Royal
Highness George III could read it without his glasses,  to Roger Sherman
(of my beloved Connecticut), to Button Gwinnett, said by some to be the
most rare signature on the document.

These men were ordinary men of their time.  Yet they were moved to
do extraordinary things by such strong commitment of belief.


From that day onward, until today, Americans have been called upon
to reaffirm, and defend that document, and the greater one called
The Constitution that followed it.  They have given what another
great American orator, Abraham Lincoln, so aptly termed "the last
full measure of devotion."  Ordinary men moved to do extraordinary
things by such strong commitment of belief.


That we could have a country where a Rickey Henderson could proclaim
himself the greatest ballplayer ever, and a bunch of friends and
acquaintences could debate the merits of his statement and his reason
for making it until the sun sets on yet another Independence Day,
that we could have a country where that could happen without anyone
denying us the right to our opinion is testament to just how 
well Thomas Jefferson penned those words.


And so we have a long weekend coming up to celebrate these things.

There will be picnics, and fireworks, and thank the Lord, plenty of
beer.  There will be parades, and celebrations, and all kinds of
parties.


But through all of that, stop for one moment, perhaps at that early
morning hour when you're letting the dog out, or getting the
morning paper.  No one will be around, and all you'll hear is the
soft rustle of the leaves as a breeze gently blow, and the birds
chirping.  At that moment stop and think how far we've come, and
think of those who paid the freight.

And finally, before you turn to continue with what you were doing,
say a little prayer to thank God that the awesome responsibility of
penning the Declaration of Independence didn't fall upon the
Chainsaw all those years ago.  If it had, we'd probably all be
in the stockade, chained to the wall.


Here's wishing everyone a safe, happy, SAFE (again) Holiday Weekend.

And remember, don't drink and drive.  Drink and stay put!


'Saw

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
269.1		SCHOOL::RIEU	Read his lips...Know new taxes	`Thu Jul 02 1992 16:44`	4
	Good work Frank. But JD will be disappointed, no mention a the Dream Team! Have a safe one everybody! ^^^^ Denny
269.2		CELTIK::JACOB	I play ARMY golf, left-right-left-right	`Thu Jul 02 1992 16:49`	10
	<sniff> anybody got a kleenex?? Seriously, everybody haveth a great weekend!! And if'n ya must drink and drive, drink pints instead of fifths, cause ya cain turn the pint bottle sideways while you're taking a slug, and still see the road!! (8^)* JaKe
269.3		CAMONE::WAY	You think slower when you graze	`Thu Jul 02 1992 16:56`	39
	Okay, for JD: And in those days it came to pass, as Thomas penned the document, that there was a codicil, and it read like this: When in the course of Olympic Events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the amateur bands which have connected them with the IOC, a decent respect of the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the best for the team that they shall send. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that not all players are created equal, therefore, the very best basketball players across the land shall be chosen for the Dream Team. These players shall be chosen by a series of tryouts, that shall be held in every city across this great Nation. And from that the best will emerge, to carry our banner, so that we may take our rightful place amongst all the Basketball Playing Nations of the Earth. And so for support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the proctection of Divine Providence (not to be confused with Providence College), we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and a player to be named later....... However, the Congress did not accept this, due to some heavy lobbying by MacDonald's Beef Packing, and the Pepsi Ale Corporation. Instead, it wound up on the editing room floor..... 'Saw
269.4	He's known simply as "Mr Jefferson" in C'ville	SHALOT::HUNT	Everybody Wang Chung Tonight	`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:06`	9
	Helluva prez, that Thomas Jefferson fella. Lived in some obscure sleepy little mountain villa in Virginia somewhere. Decided it might be a nice place for an "academical village" and so he built one. The rest is history. Robert E Hunt Jr University of Virginia Class of 1980
269.5		CAMONE::WAY	You think slower when you graze	`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:08`	20
	> Helluva prez, that Thomas Jefferson fella. Lived in some obscure sleepy > little mountain villa in Virginia somewhere. Decided it might be a nice > place for an "academical village" and so he built one. > > The rest is history. > > Robert E Hunt Jr > University of Virginia > Class of 1980 Bob, I've always felt as you do. He is at the top of my list of GREAT Presidents. A true renaissance man..... 'Saw
269.6	Another great essay, Frank	CTHQ2::MCCULLOUGH	Coming soon: Lindsey's Sister!!	`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:36`	10
	Jefferson was a renaissance man, and a great president, and as we all know (and I will not get into here) had his faults. In fact all the founding fathers of our country had their faults. This didn't, however, mean that their contributions were any less vital. Maybe if we kept this in mind about one another, a kinder gentler America would be more than rediculous political rhetoric. Have a most awsome, safe 4th everyone (or should I say everyone who is left). =Bob=
269.7	still here - snuff sniff	CSTEAM::FARLEY	Megabucks Winner Wannabe	`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:47`	16
	I'm still here :( Thanks 'Saw, truly up to snuff but after all that's what I* expected from the 1991 NoTY!!!!!!! Have a most enjoyable Independence Holiday Weekend and don't get too depressed that an non-subkects of the Brits, you're not getting all the royal family sleeze that our brothers across the pond get. Di is still cute! I remain, a prisoner for another 14 minutes (if nobody calls the Hotline) Kev
269.8	Died on the Fourth of July...	NAC::G_WAUGAMAN		`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:52`	7
	Don't forget, Thomas Jefferson was elected president by Congress and not by the people like our next president will be, so maybe we'll get another good one for a change! glenn
269.9		CTHQ2::MCCULLOUGH	Coming soon: Lindsey's Sister!!	`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:57`	4
	Hey Kev my system time says 5:00 - go home. 8^) =Bob= who has to get a book out to France, where they are working tomorrow
269.10		RDOVAX::POOLQ::BRAKE		`Thu Jul 02 1992 17:58`	12
	Yeah, didn't Aaron Burr win the popular vote? And Jefferson promised a cabinet position to some guy from Kentucky to get the final vote. I'm sure Bob Hunt has been there but iffin you really are interested in the genius of Jefferson, visit his home, Monticello, in Charlottesville sometime. This man was so far ahead of his time, it is almost frightening. Happy 4th! Rich
269.11		CSTEAM::FARLEY	Megabucks Winner Wannabe	`Thu Jul 02 1992 18:03`	4
	my system clock said differently. NOW I'm outa here!