golfrewind.com

mitchalo2 · #1 (**permalink**) July 4th, 2005, 08:31 PM

This is the transcript from a speech on the radio in Raleigh, NC this past week. It's the DJ's weekly spot called "The Soapbox." I think it puts cetain things in perspective....

(By the way, this in no way, is intended to insult anyone, especially our friends in the UK. It's water under the bridge.)

Quote:

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

I sit here before you this morning ashamed of myself. Ashamed of what I’ve done, and ashamed for what I haven’t done. And let me just start by saying, I was wrong. And for that, I am truly, truly sorry. I’ve taken advantage of my situation. I have abused my privilege, and to be honest, until yesterday evening I will be honest and say that I never felt one ounce of guilt. But this morning I ask for your forgiveness. See, the transgressions which I have committed, many of you have also committed. But I guess I’m just the example.

And as embarrassing as this is, it’s time that I confess. I have been a bad American. I’ve gone about my life as if I deserve to have the privileges that I have…I’ve lived as if the freedoms I have this morning are somehow owed to me. Expected. An entitlement because I am human. A creature above all others.

And I am guilty that each year for the last 38 years, my biggest concern during this last week of June have been things like is it going to rain at the beach this weekend, I wonder if I have enough propane for the gas grill and is the mall going to be open, will the lake be crowded, and do we need more beer for the party.

Sure I bought the occasional 4th of July knick-knack, and yes I love taking the family to the fireworks show in Fuquay as much as the next guy, but I’ve done it all for me. Not because I wanted to show my thanks to those who made my way of life possible. Not because I wanted to do my best to preserve and protect and fight for what countless men and women fought for so that I might have these liberties today. I’ve just been plain selfish.

Ya Ever heard of a man named John Hart? After signing the Declaration of Independence, he risked his life to return home to see his dying wife. British soldiers chased after him, and he escaped in the woods. While his wife was on her deathbed, the soldiers destroyed his farm and tore down his Homestead. He was 65 years old, he slept in caves and woods while still being hunted by the British who tracked him on foot and with dogs across the countryside. Finally he was able to sneak home and there he found his wife who had already been buried, and his 13 children had been taken away by the British. He never saw them again. He died in 1779, without ever finding his family. Just 3 years after he signed…. the Declaration of Independence.

Because a Continental congressman named Richard Stockton signed the Declaration, he was captured in his sleep robbed, brutally beaten, thrown into jail and intentionally starved. He was eventually released after he was so mentally and physically beaten that he was declared an invalid.

Abraham Clark had two son’s who were on the American ship Jersey. The British announced that they had captured the Jersey and it’s crew, including Clark’s two sons and that if he would desert the American cause they would be released. He said kiss my ***!! His sons were beaten and they too were starved and survived only because other prisoners pushed small pieces of bread into the large keyholes.

Then there’s John Hancock. This’ll make you smile. Do you know why Hancock’s signature is so big on the declaration? Some say that because King George III had a bounty of 500 pounds on the his head as the first signer of the declaration that Hancock wrote his especially large signature so that his Majesty could now read his name without glasses and could now double the reward. That a bad *** right there my friend!

56 men signed the Declaration of Independence knowing the consequences, but they were so full of passion and conviction that nothing would stop them. Stephen Hopkins, was more than 60 years old. As he signed with a shaking pen, he declared: "My hand trembles, but my heart does not."

If that line right there doesn’t do something inside ya your wood’s wet! Can you imagine? Do you believe in anything with such conviction that you would let you kids starve, or your wife tortured and killed?? Good God! I can tell ya right now, if that had been me, ya’ll would all be sipin’ tea and eatin’ crumpets right now and driving on the left side of the road!!!

Yeah, I’ve been a bad American,. But, I promise to never take my freedom for granted ever again. I promise to never forget these men and their families that I’ve learned about today and their sacrifices for my freedom. And, I promise, that the next time I say to somebody “Happy Fourth of July” it’ll have a different meaning to me than it ever has before. Here’s hopin’ that ya’ll have a great holiday weekend.

With the Showgram on G105…I’m Bob

Oh and Happy Fourth of July!!

valeogut · #2 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2005, 09:07 AM

Thanks for sharing that.

Our Founding Fathers were men of passion, principle and intellect, whose actions and sacrifices should inspire us all and remind us that freedom isn't cheaply bought.

BamaGolf · #3 (**permalink**) July 5th, 2005, 09:16 AM

Wow! I got chills reading that, as well as when I watched the fireworks from both Boston and New York City last night! It truly is great to be free!

golfrewind.com

Register

Log In

Golf Rewind