Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others.

As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor; let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own, and his children's liberty.

Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap; let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges; let it be written in Primers, spelling books, and in Almanacs; let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and Let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars.

While ever a state of feeling, such as this, shall universally, or even, very generally prevail throughout the nation, vain will be every effort, and fruitless every attempt, to subvert our national freedom.


- Abraham Lincoln, January 27, 1838
  Address Before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Maire goes to Washington

To those impersonating the media

Oh spy on me, oh spy on me,
I’m marching by my nation’s heart;
I came for justice and for peace
And carrying a sign –
It’s one adorned with Martin’s face
You know – he’s got a holiday
The words opposing racism -
And that is un-American!

Please spy on me - I must be stopped!
I rode a bus for 15 hours
To march around the brilliant dome;
White marble, glistening in the sun.
The temple of democracy,
For ‘of the people’ just like me.
You’ve seen the photos - so had I,
And so I came, right to the heart.

I must be stopped, I’m out of hand -
Just who do I believe I am?
I’m not so rich, I was no Skull;
I don’t belong to a country club.
Those tax breaks weren’t for me at all,
Or anyone I know...
I don’t belong here anymore;
As if I ever did! Come on.

So grab your cameras, click away;
Pretend you are the press, or better yet,
You can pretend you’re just like me;
Because you know me very well
Or so you say - and you have files,
So who am I to doubt?
Here is your chance to steal my face,
And add it to your data banks.

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