On this day in April 17, 1775

[LateNight]

1775 : Revere and Dawes warn of British attack

On this day in 1775, British troops march out of Boston on a mission to confiscate the American arsenal at Concord and to capture Patriot leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock, known to be hiding at Lexington. As the British departed, Boston Patriots Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on horseback from the city to warn Adams and Hancock and rouse the Minutemen.
By 1775, tensions between the American colonies and the British government had approached the breaking point, especially in Massachusetts, where Patriot leaders formed a shadow revolutionary government and trained militias to prepare for armed conflict with the British troops occupying Boston. In the spring of 1775, General Thomas Gage, the British governor of Massachusetts, received instructions from Great Britain to seize all stores of weapons and gunpowder accessible to the American insurgents. On April 18, he ordered British troops to march against Concord and Lexington.
The Boston Patriots had been preparing for such a British military action for some time, and, upon learning of the British plan, Revere and Dawes set off across the Massachusetts countryside.... read more

[LateNight]

I see where Tom Hanks and his production company (same company that did "Band Of Brothers" for HBO) has a new show coming out on HBO called "John Adams"

I'm looking forward to it.. this part of our countries history has always held a lot of interest for me. I just don't know if this is going to take place before the revolution, during the revolution, or later on at the time of his Presidency.

I spent some time tracing the family tree, and we've traced back far enough on my father's side, to some Great great great etc... grandfather of mine, who was living in Boston during the middle 1770's

[Al Swearengen]

If what I THINK is about to happen, HAPPENS, we'll ALL get the chance to be patriots, and make history. Ready yourselves, my friends, for I fear the time grows near!

[BrainSmashR]

Originally Posted by Al Swearengen

If what I THINK is about to happen, HAPPENS, we'll ALL get the chance to be patriots, and make history. Ready yourselves, my friends, for I fear the time grows near!

A Patriot is one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.

Not someone who is not only willing to rebel against the laws of our country, but is also attempting to persuade public opinion....trying to recruit other potential anarchists "just in case".

Seems some of you have a nasty habit of butchering the English language on a regular basis, huh? Now why would THAT cause me to question your intelligence?

[LateNight]

patriot |ˈpātrēət|
noun
a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.

Doesn't say anything about the "authority".

I would also argue that "enemies or detractors" can easily be enemies or detractors from within or own country or authority.

I will say, I'm not quite as enthusiastic as Al is about the 'upcoming rebellion or revolution'. It's not that I don't agree with WHY he thinks this, 'cause I do. I just like to think there's still a chance to do something WITHIN the system.

Only time will tell however.

Would also add, that our own Patriots, of our own Revolution, were most certainly Bucking the Authority, when they declared their Independence. And if they had been caught, would have most certainly been tried for Treason, and hung.

[joepole]

This country is too rich to have a rebellion.

[BrainSmashR]

Originally Posted by LateNight

Doesn't say anything about the "authority".

I would also argue that "enemies or detractors" can easily be enemies or detractors from within or own country or authority.

Different dictionary, minor variation in the definition. General meaning still the same.

A patriot is someone who supports their country/government, not someone who prepares to go to war with his/her country over the laws passed by their democratically elected officials.

I will say, I'm not quite as enthusiastic as Al is about the 'upcoming rebellion or revolution'. It's not that I don't agree with WHY he thinks this, 'cause I do. I just like to think there's still a chance to do something WITHIN the system.

Only time will tell however.

Interesting that you would use the term rebellion....how can you be a patriot AND rebel against your country?

While I agree with the sentiment, you'll notice that as before, my argument is still with his choice of words, not what he meant to say.

Would also add, that our own Patriots, of our own Revolution, were most certainly Bucking the Authority, when they declared their Independence. And if they had been caught, would have most certainly been tried for Treason, and hung.

Obviously you misunderstood the meaning of the definition. OUR patriots were indeed fighting "the authority" England exercised over the American Colonies, but OUR patriots were fighting for their own country, America.....not against it, as Al has insinuated.

[Al Swearengen]

Originally Posted by BrainSmashR

A Patriot is one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests.

Not someone who is not only willing to rebel against the laws of our country, but is also attempting to persuade public opinion....trying to recruit other potential anarchists "just in case".

Seems some of you have a nasty habit of butchering the English language on a regular basis, huh? Now why would THAT cause me to question your intelligence?

If the freedom haters ever manage to repeal the Second Amendment, ALL of the other RIGHTS will follow in short order...don't kid yourself about that. At THAT point, it'll be THE END OF AMERICA AS WE KNOW IT. But you're right Brain, as I stated in another thread, anyone who refuses to accept THAT version of America will be "de facto criminals", or anarchists. As for "trying to recruit other potential anarchists", I don't think I'll have to try very hard. I'm convinced that MOST people share my sentiments. As to your statement that "some of you have a nasty habit of butchering the English language", if you mean me, I just try to write the way I speak, and I do this by choice. Now if that causes you to question MY intelligence, then you're a fool, and you're either all alone or you're in the overwhelming minority.

[BrainSmashR]

Originally Posted by Al Swearengen

If the freedom haters ever manage to repeal the Second Amendment, ALL of the other RIGHTS will follow in short order...don't kid yourself about that. At THAT point, it'll be THE END OF AMERICA AS WE KNOW IT. But you're right Brain, as I stated in another thread, anyone who refuses to accept THAT version of America will be "de facto criminals", or anarchists. As for "trying to recruit other potential anarchists", I don't think I'll have to try very hard. I'm convinced that MOST people share my sentiments. As to your statement that "some of you have a nasty habit of butchering the English language", if you mean me, I just try to write the way I speak, and I do this by choice. Now if that causes you to question MY intelligence, then you're a fool, and you're either all alone or you're in the overwhelming minority.

While I'll concede that writing in slang may not be an indication of your "street smarts", it IS a direct indication of your "book smarts". Although I am surprised to see an amazing LACK of punctuation and spelling mistakes this go around.

However, I still contend that you're over reacting. No prominent politician is supporting increased gun control or outright bans, and the end of America as we know it?!?!?!? Dude, you need some Prozac or something....