This post was inspired by a friend
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
1807-1882
Written April 19, 1860; first published in 1863 as part of "Tales of a Wayside Inn"
“Listen my children and you shall hear…”
Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
He said to his friend, “If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light,–
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm.”
Lets put this post in perspective today, as our justice sytem makes a decision about the frivolous,but potentially ominous, charges brought against Pandora.
ReplyDeleteUsing some literary license, lets consider if you will, that the bloggers in Cape vincent represent a present day version of the warning actions taken by Paul Revere. Utilizing the internet, a modern mode of disseminating information, these bloggers have presented the public with much knowledge, crucial to the immediate future of the residents regarding the perilous onslaught by two predator corporations bent on utter domination of this community, not only through their own research, but by providing a vehicle for public dialogue, and contributions by anonymous and signed commentors.
Exposing the unscrupulous and irresponsible actions of previous town officials and others involved with this invasion of our rights has been paramount to getting at the real truth.
If the justice system allows this frivolous legal action to squash the constitutionally guaranteed right of self-expression and freedom of speech, what a sad day it will be.
Imagine if Paul Revere had been prevented from making his famous ride, silenced by a legal lawsuit brought by traitors from the British camp,aiding and abetting the intruders.
Literary license aside, the comparison is hard not to make.
Good luck to Pandora, and to us all ,as our rights hang in the balance. This decision and our reaction to it will signify the extent of our conviction to the principles our ancestors died for so valiantly.