18th Century Patriot in the 21st Century
Patrick Henry was born in 1736, in Studley, Virginia. His early years found him trying his hand at being a store-keeper and farmer, both of which met with very limited success. In his early 20's, Patrick Henry took an interest in law. Few thought he would succeed. But he soon showed an innate talent for his newfound profession - a gift, a knack, a keen wit, a deep insight into human nature, a compelling and inspiring way with words. Combined with his sincerity and perseverence, he soon blossomed into a skilled, respected and well-compensated lawyer.
This was all during the time when the new American colonies were starting to itch for independence from England, and especially from King George, the aristocratic ruler who was woefully out of touch with the needs and rights of common hard-working citizens. Patrick Henry was an articulate spokesman for the ever-growing independence movement. Serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses, he spoke eloquently against the rule of the British Parliament, asserting the rights of Americans to be free of King George, his unenlightened attitudes, his restrictive policies, and his unfair un-American dictates. At first, the more straight-laced and conservative old-school party hard-liners were outraged, even shouting "Treason!"aloud while Patrick Henry spoke, unwilling or unable themselves to display the courage needed to cut loose from antiquated aristrocracies, from old allegiances to traditional Powers-That-Be, afraid to let America stand proudly on her own feet.
But he kept right on speaking, despite any hostility and interruptions and, before long, more and more people started hearing the enlightened wisdom and logic of his words. Without needing to raise his voice, Truth was simply louder and clearer than any narrow-minded bullies who tried to shout him down.
He was a fierce defender of the rights of individual human beings, and battled mightily over the content of the US Constitution, to ensure that it provided everything possible to protect average citizens against the excesses and invasiveness of people in government. Few Conservatives today - long proud of Patrick Henry as a key figure among America's Founding Fathers - realize how much he boldly and audaciously stood face-to-face against the powerful and wealthy conservative establishment, to demand respect for the rights of common folk.
But, that indeed was who Patrick Henry was. He was a man who did not coddle the Powers-That-Be, did not lick the boots of the self-appointed royalty who publicly patronized the humbler citizens while secretly despising and betraying them. He was a man of the people, of the American people, of free people - not a sycophant babbling "Ditto!" to the half-witted condescending drivel of kings, corporate pick-pockets, oily con-men, political pretty-boys or other addicts of power.
He realized, sadly, that the struggling society he saw around him would change and improve only through a deadly and bloody war against King George. But, if that is what Fate decreed, Patrick Henry was resigned to its destiny, its absolute necessity, and he soon knew he must become a military leader himself, and serve General Washington. It was that realization - that Truth, that courage - which helped enshrine his name among the most well-known and revered of all men of our early history. He was a man who helped carve America out of the solid rock of an unshakable, unstoppable, undeniable new vision of government that was dying to be born.
So, who am I, 230 years later, who now writes under the name of "Patrick Q. Henry"? And how did I choose that name?
Answering the second question first, I simply added the "Q" in honor of the whimsical bit of Americana from which the name "John Q. Public" was born. I too speak as a person of humble roots, with no pretense to grandeur, as a representative of every person, of every common citizen who wants only to peacefully enjoy life and be left alone, to let others do the same, with my soul embedded in the traditional simple truths and virtues of America and her humble but rightfully proud citizens.
As for the first question, all of my life I found Patrick Henry to be the embodiment of all that America means to me. Though he was a man of the most rudimentary early education, that limitation was easily overcome by his brilliant inner spark to speak crucial truths. He said what needed to be said, without fear that his countrymen might initially be shocked or scandalized by his audacity, his daring, even his seeming blasphemy and treason. He knew that it is not treason to speak out against a leader whose authority is not legitimate, whose brain had stumbled into a governmental role that was far over his head; rather, to speak out thusly against such a leader is instead the highest form of Patriotism. And he knew, conversely, that it is not Patriotism to forever "throw good money after bad," to forever defend the attitudes and policies of an inept leader, a failed political administration, or a dysfunctional system of unjust laws and misdirected national policy; rather, doing so is the lowest form of cowardice.
Under the noble banner of Patrick Q. Henry, I speak in the spirit of my 18th Century namesake. Through his eyes, amid his words, among his thoughts, I find the basic truths upon which the United States was founded. In his day, America was not even seen by the world as being a nation at all, but merely as a straggling and disheveled band of British colonies. Still, in his eyes and the eyes of his fellow Patriots, America was already more than any other nation. America was something different, something extremely special. It was a grand and noble historic experiment. Guided by his hand, clasped arm-in-arm with his fellows, common people rose to the highest nobility of freedom, all witnessing the sacred birth of a new day, a new way of life, a new method of governance, a new and electric sunrise on a tired, antiquated, muddy geo-political horizon.
I write too as Patrick Q. Henry because, like my namesake, I likewise have grown very disillusioned with the excesses, immorality, deceit, corruption and greed of the those who have attained the excessive power that has come to dominate and betray the common citizens of America. While my true name is not a house-hold familiarity, I am indeed very prominent within many of the halls of power in this modern world. I have seen, with my own eyes, the scandalous scales and venal veins of evil that have woven themselves into the once-proud and civilized flesh of Democracy. The revelation of my true identity and the secrets I know would greatly embarrass and destroy the careers and families of many within our great nation, and still others around our world. So I have chosen - for the moment - to express these needed truths to my fellow Patriots, while temporarily behind the noble facade of my 18th Century namesake.
Similarly, I have wilfully chosen a writing style markedly different from my own (which is known in many circles), to further conceal my identity. I confess that it shames and troubles me greatly to have to do so, because the America envisioned by Patrick Henry was one where such fears were to be banished forever, where Freedom of Speech was sanctified second only to the Ten Commandments. But, having eyes deeply rooted within the skulls of today's Powers-That-Be, I have seen beyond question the horrid degree of antagonism and retribution against Patriots who are willing to speak the Truth to the American people. I have witnessed the unspeakable hidden treachery that has been visited upon those brave souls who have dared to reveal the things that Americans deserve to know.
Thus, my shameful anonymity must continue for the moment, until my newfound Patriots and I have untangled the tentacles of the current corruption, and exposed the poisoned barbs of their un-American secrecy and vindictive retribution. Only in this way can I continue to work unencumbered, beyond suspicion, maneuvering within the belly of the beast, as I and my fellows gather unassailable evidence to reveal the dastardly truths of how greatly betrayed America has been in recent years, at the hands of those cursed by Satan with insatiable obsessions for power, money and needless warfare.
Unlike the chaotic morass of crass commercialism and immoral duplicity that prevails today, the America of Patrick Henry's lifetime was a place of principle, a place of decency, a place of character. It was an America in which Patriots practiced a true love of country, not a nation in which sheep-minded revelers merely waved a flag whose origins they barely understood. It was an America where people were fully ready to fight and die for the freedoms with which they had been blessed, willing to sacrifice all in defense of America and all that she stood for. It was not a nation that would march into battle behind a cadre of high-level pretenders who had all themselves evaded their own military duty to America in their youth and middle years and all their lives. It was not an America that contrived deadly wars mainly to enrich the opportunists, profiteers and financiers of warfare. It was not a carnival of figurehead-glorifying, self-promoting and hypocritical hucksters, like those who populate today's radio talk-shows, each made millionaires by being lapdogs of the corrupt and traitorous billionaires who pay them. Rather, in those days long ago, America was a new and exciting land in which true Patriots stood always ready to defend their nation's basic ideals, and to promptly and permanently oust any pretenders to any American throne.
Thus I have resurrected the hallowed name of Patrick Henry, giving it new life in this very new century of which neither he nor his peers could even begin to imagine. I do so only with the utmost humility and commitment to the honoring of his name, and to everything that he and his fellow Patriots stood for. I truly feel that he spoke for me, and that - if he were alive in the flesh today - he would smile gently to confirm his blessing that I indeed speak for him, and for his brave colleagues, and for their vision of America.
Lastly, I speak always remembering that - as was true in 1776 when my namesake turned 40 years old - we are all Americans. Differ though we may, we all are blessed with our right to express our differing thoughts and beliefs, while we all still fully remain Americans, forever rekindling our kindred spirit of the esteemed Voltaire, who proclaimed that - while he may have differed with other persons' views - he would defend to the death their right to freely speak those views. I speak too always recalling the wisdom and knowledge of human nature upon which our great nation was built. Namely, that power corrupts, and can corrupt all leaders; and that it is our sworn duty as Americans to always scrutinize, always doubt, always challenge each and every official to whom we grant temporary power, elected or otherwise. Our duty is - first and foremost - to whatever is best for our nation, to whatever is most likely to retain and ensure its integrity... never to any individual person or political administration to whom we naively felt allegiance a month or a year ago.
With that philosophy as my mission's beacon, I hereby offer you the writing of Patrick Q. Henry: the reincarnation of a spirit, an ideal, a magical moment in world history. It was my namesake who long ago spoke the immortal words, "Give me Liberty, or give me death" in 1775. My request is for you, just for a moment, to "Give me your trust, or give me at least your attention" as I try my best to capture the true spirit of Democracy and America, as they were intended, as they were once enjoyed. As I do so, I ask God for His guidance, as I likewise ask my namesake for his. With the help of the spirit of both, I hope to use this modern and magical public forum to stimulate thought & discussion, concern & action, to help guide us all safely through our troubled and tumultuous modern times. And to offer you, dear reader, a voice of reason, fairness, justice and sanity, and to inspire you to take any and every action needed to ensure America's strength, survival and Liberty.
May God Bless America.
Sincerely,
Patrick Q. Henry
Patrick_Q_Henry@yahoo.com
This was all during the time when the new American colonies were starting to itch for independence from England, and especially from King George, the aristocratic ruler who was woefully out of touch with the needs and rights of common hard-working citizens. Patrick Henry was an articulate spokesman for the ever-growing independence movement. Serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses, he spoke eloquently against the rule of the British Parliament, asserting the rights of Americans to be free of King George, his unenlightened attitudes, his restrictive policies, and his unfair un-American dictates. At first, the more straight-laced and conservative old-school party hard-liners were outraged, even shouting "Treason!"aloud while Patrick Henry spoke, unwilling or unable themselves to display the courage needed to cut loose from antiquated aristrocracies, from old allegiances to traditional Powers-That-Be, afraid to let America stand proudly on her own feet.
But he kept right on speaking, despite any hostility and interruptions and, before long, more and more people started hearing the enlightened wisdom and logic of his words. Without needing to raise his voice, Truth was simply louder and clearer than any narrow-minded bullies who tried to shout him down.
He was a fierce defender of the rights of individual human beings, and battled mightily over the content of the US Constitution, to ensure that it provided everything possible to protect average citizens against the excesses and invasiveness of people in government. Few Conservatives today - long proud of Patrick Henry as a key figure among America's Founding Fathers - realize how much he boldly and audaciously stood face-to-face against the powerful and wealthy conservative establishment, to demand respect for the rights of common folk.
But, that indeed was who Patrick Henry was. He was a man who did not coddle the Powers-That-Be, did not lick the boots of the self-appointed royalty who publicly patronized the humbler citizens while secretly despising and betraying them. He was a man of the people, of the American people, of free people - not a sycophant babbling "Ditto!" to the half-witted condescending drivel of kings, corporate pick-pockets, oily con-men, political pretty-boys or other addicts of power.
He realized, sadly, that the struggling society he saw around him would change and improve only through a deadly and bloody war against King George. But, if that is what Fate decreed, Patrick Henry was resigned to its destiny, its absolute necessity, and he soon knew he must become a military leader himself, and serve General Washington. It was that realization - that Truth, that courage - which helped enshrine his name among the most well-known and revered of all men of our early history. He was a man who helped carve America out of the solid rock of an unshakable, unstoppable, undeniable new vision of government that was dying to be born.
So, who am I, 230 years later, who now writes under the name of "Patrick Q. Henry"? And how did I choose that name?
Answering the second question first, I simply added the "Q" in honor of the whimsical bit of Americana from which the name "John Q. Public" was born. I too speak as a person of humble roots, with no pretense to grandeur, as a representative of every person, of every common citizen who wants only to peacefully enjoy life and be left alone, to let others do the same, with my soul embedded in the traditional simple truths and virtues of America and her humble but rightfully proud citizens.
As for the first question, all of my life I found Patrick Henry to be the embodiment of all that America means to me. Though he was a man of the most rudimentary early education, that limitation was easily overcome by his brilliant inner spark to speak crucial truths. He said what needed to be said, without fear that his countrymen might initially be shocked or scandalized by his audacity, his daring, even his seeming blasphemy and treason. He knew that it is not treason to speak out against a leader whose authority is not legitimate, whose brain had stumbled into a governmental role that was far over his head; rather, to speak out thusly against such a leader is instead the highest form of Patriotism. And he knew, conversely, that it is not Patriotism to forever "throw good money after bad," to forever defend the attitudes and policies of an inept leader, a failed political administration, or a dysfunctional system of unjust laws and misdirected national policy; rather, doing so is the lowest form of cowardice.
Under the noble banner of Patrick Q. Henry, I speak in the spirit of my 18th Century namesake. Through his eyes, amid his words, among his thoughts, I find the basic truths upon which the United States was founded. In his day, America was not even seen by the world as being a nation at all, but merely as a straggling and disheveled band of British colonies. Still, in his eyes and the eyes of his fellow Patriots, America was already more than any other nation. America was something different, something extremely special. It was a grand and noble historic experiment. Guided by his hand, clasped arm-in-arm with his fellows, common people rose to the highest nobility of freedom, all witnessing the sacred birth of a new day, a new way of life, a new method of governance, a new and electric sunrise on a tired, antiquated, muddy geo-political horizon.
I write too as Patrick Q. Henry because, like my namesake, I likewise have grown very disillusioned with the excesses, immorality, deceit, corruption and greed of the those who have attained the excessive power that has come to dominate and betray the common citizens of America. While my true name is not a house-hold familiarity, I am indeed very prominent within many of the halls of power in this modern world. I have seen, with my own eyes, the scandalous scales and venal veins of evil that have woven themselves into the once-proud and civilized flesh of Democracy. The revelation of my true identity and the secrets I know would greatly embarrass and destroy the careers and families of many within our great nation, and still others around our world. So I have chosen - for the moment - to express these needed truths to my fellow Patriots, while temporarily behind the noble facade of my 18th Century namesake.
Similarly, I have wilfully chosen a writing style markedly different from my own (which is known in many circles), to further conceal my identity. I confess that it shames and troubles me greatly to have to do so, because the America envisioned by Patrick Henry was one where such fears were to be banished forever, where Freedom of Speech was sanctified second only to the Ten Commandments. But, having eyes deeply rooted within the skulls of today's Powers-That-Be, I have seen beyond question the horrid degree of antagonism and retribution against Patriots who are willing to speak the Truth to the American people. I have witnessed the unspeakable hidden treachery that has been visited upon those brave souls who have dared to reveal the things that Americans deserve to know.
Thus, my shameful anonymity must continue for the moment, until my newfound Patriots and I have untangled the tentacles of the current corruption, and exposed the poisoned barbs of their un-American secrecy and vindictive retribution. Only in this way can I continue to work unencumbered, beyond suspicion, maneuvering within the belly of the beast, as I and my fellows gather unassailable evidence to reveal the dastardly truths of how greatly betrayed America has been in recent years, at the hands of those cursed by Satan with insatiable obsessions for power, money and needless warfare.
Unlike the chaotic morass of crass commercialism and immoral duplicity that prevails today, the America of Patrick Henry's lifetime was a place of principle, a place of decency, a place of character. It was an America in which Patriots practiced a true love of country, not a nation in which sheep-minded revelers merely waved a flag whose origins they barely understood. It was an America where people were fully ready to fight and die for the freedoms with which they had been blessed, willing to sacrifice all in defense of America and all that she stood for. It was not a nation that would march into battle behind a cadre of high-level pretenders who had all themselves evaded their own military duty to America in their youth and middle years and all their lives. It was not an America that contrived deadly wars mainly to enrich the opportunists, profiteers and financiers of warfare. It was not a carnival of figurehead-glorifying, self-promoting and hypocritical hucksters, like those who populate today's radio talk-shows, each made millionaires by being lapdogs of the corrupt and traitorous billionaires who pay them. Rather, in those days long ago, America was a new and exciting land in which true Patriots stood always ready to defend their nation's basic ideals, and to promptly and permanently oust any pretenders to any American throne.
Thus I have resurrected the hallowed name of Patrick Henry, giving it new life in this very new century of which neither he nor his peers could even begin to imagine. I do so only with the utmost humility and commitment to the honoring of his name, and to everything that he and his fellow Patriots stood for. I truly feel that he spoke for me, and that - if he were alive in the flesh today - he would smile gently to confirm his blessing that I indeed speak for him, and for his brave colleagues, and for their vision of America.
Lastly, I speak always remembering that - as was true in 1776 when my namesake turned 40 years old - we are all Americans. Differ though we may, we all are blessed with our right to express our differing thoughts and beliefs, while we all still fully remain Americans, forever rekindling our kindred spirit of the esteemed Voltaire, who proclaimed that - while he may have differed with other persons' views - he would defend to the death their right to freely speak those views. I speak too always recalling the wisdom and knowledge of human nature upon which our great nation was built. Namely, that power corrupts, and can corrupt all leaders; and that it is our sworn duty as Americans to always scrutinize, always doubt, always challenge each and every official to whom we grant temporary power, elected or otherwise. Our duty is - first and foremost - to whatever is best for our nation, to whatever is most likely to retain and ensure its integrity... never to any individual person or political administration to whom we naively felt allegiance a month or a year ago.
With that philosophy as my mission's beacon, I hereby offer you the writing of Patrick Q. Henry: the reincarnation of a spirit, an ideal, a magical moment in world history. It was my namesake who long ago spoke the immortal words, "Give me Liberty, or give me death" in 1775. My request is for you, just for a moment, to "Give me your trust, or give me at least your attention" as I try my best to capture the true spirit of Democracy and America, as they were intended, as they were once enjoyed. As I do so, I ask God for His guidance, as I likewise ask my namesake for his. With the help of the spirit of both, I hope to use this modern and magical public forum to stimulate thought & discussion, concern & action, to help guide us all safely through our troubled and tumultuous modern times. And to offer you, dear reader, a voice of reason, fairness, justice and sanity, and to inspire you to take any and every action needed to ensure America's strength, survival and Liberty.
May God Bless America.
Sincerely,
Patrick Q. Henry
Patrick_Q_Henry@yahoo.com
posted by Patrick Q. Henry at 9:02 AM
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