Digital Common Sense

Thanks to Lorraine over at Culture Kitchen for posting the following. In the interest of spreading and sharing, I’m reposting the entire declaration here.

A New Declaration of Independence
by Emma Goldman
Published in Mother Earth, Vol. IV, no. 5, July 1909

When, in the course of human development, existing institutions prove inadequate to the needs of man, when they serve merely to enslave, rob, and oppress mankind, the people have the eternal right to rebel against, and overthrow, these institutions.

The mere fact that these forces–inimical to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness–are legalized by statute laws, sanctified by divine rights, and enforced by political power, in no way justifies their continued existence.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all human beings, irrespective of race, color, or sex, are born with the equal right to share at the table of life; that to secure this right, there must be established among men economic, social, and political freedom; we hold further that government exists but to maintain special privilege and property rights; that it coerces man into submission and therefore robs him of dignity, self-respect, and life.

The history of the American kings of capital and authority is the history of repeated crimes, injustice, oppression, outrage, and abuse, all aiming at the suppression of individual liberties and the exploitation of the people. A vast country, rich enough to supply all her children with all possible comforts, and insure well-being to all, is in the hands of a few, while the nameless millions are at the mercy of ruthless wealth gatherers, unscrupulous lawmakers, and corrupt politicians. Sturdy sons of America are forced to tramp the country in a fruitless search for bread, and many of her daughters are driven into the street, while thousands of tender children are daily sacrificed on the altar of Mammon. The reign of these kings is holding mankind in slavery, perpetuating poverty and disease, maintaining crime and corruption; it is fettering the spirit of liberty, throttling the voice of justice, and degrading and oppressing humanity. It is engaged in continual war and slaughter, devastating the country and destroying the best and finest qualities of man; it nurtures superstition and ignorance, sows prejudice and strife, and turns the human family into a camp of Ishmaelites.

We, therefore, the liberty-loving men and women, realizing the great injustice and brutality of this state of affairs, earnestly and boldly do hereby declare, That each and every individual is and ought to be free to own himself and to enjoy the full fruit of his labor; that man is absolved from all allegiance to the kings of authority and capital; that he has, by the very fact of his being, free access to the land and all means of production, and entire liberty of disposing of the fruits of his efforts; that each and every individual has the unquestionable and unabridgeable right of free and voluntary association with other equally sovereign individuals for economic, political, social, and all other purposes, and that to achieve this end man must emancipate himself from the sacredness of property, the respect for man-made law, the fear of the Church, the cowardice of public opinion, the stupid arrogance of national, racial, religious, and sex superiority, and from the narrow puritanical conception of human life. And for the support of this Declaration, and with a firm reliance on the harmonious blending of man’s social and individual tendencies, the lovers of liberty joyfully consecrate their uncompromising devotion, their energy and intelligence, their solidarity and their lives.

As we move ahead in time in America, we hear things of concern. I heard some discussion recently that the administration may begin treating views counter to their own as is support of insurgency. Pretty interesting misuse of language for a country that was founded on well documented rebellion and insurgency.

Frankly, I’m all for insurgency. I work in the tech sector where we call insurgents disruptive technologies. Insurgency isn’t always a bad thing. And while quoting a B-grade movie by Disney isn’t something I do often, Nicholas Cage’s toast in National Treasure seems quite appropriate - “To treason.” because our founding fathers and those insurgents that founded our democracy were all committing acts of treason when they took the first steps down the path we currently tred.

This has been in my thoughts for awhile lately, but I’ve not taken the time to put any thoughts to paper. As a Viet Nam veteran, I was involved in an unpopular conflict. At that age, I don’t think most of us knew why were we there. Today, years later, people still wonder why we were there. But what I am unequiviocally proud of is that I contributed to my country’s defense and put myself and the call of military service. I hold our armed forces in the highest esteem. They are a band of brothers, and now sisters, who serve together to protect us, sometimes at home, sometimes abroad, but so often underappreciated and overlooked. I thought about that term band of brothers in a blog post back in 2003, but the thoughts there hold much stronger when we think about where our country came from and where it’s headed.

As we approach Independence Day, I think it’s important that we do two things. First, we need to recognize that is isn’t the 4th of July. That’s a calendar date. That’s a date for picnics, BBQs and play. But the reason…the foundation of the day is to celebrate achieving our independence. It’s a celebration of success. The other thing that’s important to me is to send thoughts of thanks and supports to our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who are currently putting themselves “out there” on our behalf. Many are in harm’s way. Some are not, but easily could be. Their service in the military inherently means that they could be palced in harm’s way on our behalf at any time. We should be thankful for them…for the people they are.

And every time I think those thoughts, this comes to mind again -

This day is called the feast of Crispian: He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’ Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars. And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’ Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he’ll remember with advantages What feats he did that day: then shall our names. Familiar in his mouth as household words Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter, Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester, Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember’d; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

Filed by Ken at 4:47 pm under General