I watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They're quite aware of what they're goin' through

Monday, July 4, 2011

235 Years Ago, that's a long time

Offered as political satire on the current two-year long Presidential Election Cycle:
John Adams: This is positively indecent!

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Oh, John, they're young and they're in love.

John Adams: Not them, Franklin. Us! Standing out here, waiting for them to... I mean, what will people think?

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Don't worry, John. The history books will clean it up.

John Adams: It doesn't matter. I won't be in the history books anyway, only you. Franklin did this and Franklin did that and Franklin did some other damn thing. (pause) Franklin smote the ground and out sprang George Washington, fully grown and on his horse. Franklin then electrified him with his miraculous lightning rod and the three of them - Franklin, Washington, and the horse - conducted the entire revolution by themselves.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: I like it.

and
John Adams: Mark me, Franklin... if we give in on this issue, posterity will never forgive us.

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: That's probably true, but we won't hear a thing, we'll be long gone. Besides, what would posterity think we were? Demi-gods? We're men, no more no less, trying to get a nation started against greater odds than a more generous God would have allowed. First things first, John. Independence; America. If we don't secure that, what difference will the rest make?

America, I remember my promise to you.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just watched that again with my kids. Whatever facts are wrong, it's still a great musical and a charming way to adapt the story.

Anonymous Cassie

Fabutronic Sheila said...

Yes, but 235 years later, and we still need pins more than saltpeter.

Some things never change.