When writing this essay, I experienced a few changes. The first of which being I was much more comfortable writing in my own voice. I had trouble transitioning from my old writing rules to the new on essay number one, but this essay was exceedingly less bumpy.
However I was not as proud of this paper as I was my last. Even though my last paper received a horrible score, it was one of the best things I had written in a very long time. And while my voice was stronger in this essay, I feel I had much less support and overall content then my last. It got to the point where I had to just buckle down and finish, whereas my last essay I always had something to write about. Even writing this reflection on this essay is hard for me.
But in the end I came out with a finished product that was in my opinion not horrible but far from the best thing I have ever written. I am certainly glad to be done with it, but still excited with the fact that my voice is growing stronger the more I write.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Essay 2: Rough Draft 2
Being from Maryland, some may say that my decision to become a patriot in these last few years was made for me. That my being from a predominantly patriotic state my surroundings have influenced my abilities to make an informed decision on my own. (Alden Allan 283-292) However that is my case this is far from true. I am a strong believer that when something is broke, you fix it. I believe that the current government is broken. I am a patriot because I want to see that system fixed. I am a patriot because I am not going to sit back and be manipulated any longer. I refuse to keep on being a subordinate to an evil master, who only has their best interest in mind instead of mine.
In my point of view, there is no turning back anymore. Thomas Paine said it best when he said, “A new method of thinking hath arisen” (Paine 28). Too much has been done to the colonies, for us to go back to serving such an evil master. We have been oppressed and exploited for far too long. All of our attempts at peace were ignored. Now it is time for action. Our power against them that has certainly been demonstrated in the last few years. Not to mention that we have proved that we can not only govern ourselves in times of great stress, but we also have shown that we can govern successfully.
We are now to the point that reconciliation is near impossible. When our choices are, fight for the very slim chance that we can go back to being ruled by a corrupt government, or take up arms and fight for our rights and get to not only govern ourselves, but be able to keep a close eye on that government so that nothing like this ever happens again, the choice seems obvious to me. However nothing we do will work unless we come together to make the decision that will best benefit us all.
The New York Committee of Fifty-One hit it right on the head when they expressed that the situation we are currently in, involves not only just the patriots, or a few select colonies, but a whole continent. (New York Committee of Fifty-One). We have to come together and organize if we want to have any hope of successfully facing the problems in front of us. England is exploiting our every weakness, and being unorganized is one of the biggest weaknesses we can have. In my home state we realized this, and now we have our own form of organized government. The Committee of 51 was probably right when they said that “"No remedy can be of avail unless it proceeds from the joint acts and approbation of all."” but if we cannot convince the rest of the colonies of this, at least we will be prepared. No one should have to live in a government without rights.
Rights are exceedingly important to everyone in the new world. Our ancestors first came here because it represented a new beginning and new chances for them. What should have been great new opportunities turned into horrible subjugation for all involved. For these reasons, in Maryland’s constitution has a very clear and open declaration of rights. The most important of which, in my opinion is “That freedom of speech and debate, or proceedings in the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in any Court of Judicature.” (Declaration of Rights Article 10). No more wrongful persecution of those who deserve no such punishment. This constitution represents everything we have fought for, everything we have won the right to have as Americans.
In my opinion, there are no legitimate reasons to stay loyal to the crown. You may say that my statehood has something to do with that. You may say that everyone and all the situations within Maryland has caused me to sway in one direction. But the way I see it, its only common sense. I don’t hate Britain, but I surely hate being oppressed by them. When I have the power to help create my own form of government that can be much more closely monitored, I see no reason not to take part.
Bibliography:
Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. 1776
New York Committee of Fifty-One, Letter from the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence. 1774.
Alden Allan, Anne. "Patriots and Loyalists: The Choice of Political Allegiances by the Members of Maryland's Proprietary Elite." The Journal of Southern History May 1972: 283-292.
Ninth Provincial Convention. Constitution of Maryland. Maryland State Archives
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Essay 2: Rough Draft
Being from Maryland some may say that my decision to become a patriot in these last few years was made for me. Those being from a predominantly patriotic state my surroundings have influenced my abilities to make an informed decision on my own. (Alden Allan 283-292) However that is not true. I am a patriot because I am not going to sit back and be manipulated any longer. I am tired of being a subordinate to an evil master, who only has their best interest in mind instead of mine.
Through and through I am a patriot. In my point of view, there is no turning back anymore. Thomas Paine said it best when he said, “A new method of thinking hath arisen” (Paine 28). Too much has been done to the colonies, for us to go back to serving such an evil master. We have been oppressed and manipulated for far too long. All of our attempts at peace were ignored. Now it is time for action. We have some power against them that has certainly been demonstrated in the last few years. Not to mention we have also proved that we can govern ourselves, even in times of great stress. Not only that, but we are now to the point that reconciliation is near impossible. When our choices are, fight for the very slim chance that we can go back to being ruled by a corrupt government, or take up arms and fight for our rights and get to not only govern ourselves, but be able to keep a close eye on that government so that nothing like this ever happens again, the choice seems obvious to me. However nothing we do will work unless we come together to make the decision that will best benefit us all.
The New York committee of fifty-one hit it right on the head when they expressed that the situation we are currently in, involves not only just the patriots, or a few select colonies, but a whole continent. (New York Committee of Fifty-One). We have to come together and be organized if we have any hope of successfully facing the problems in front of us. England is exploiting our every weakness, and being unorganized is one of the biggest weaknesses we can have. In my home state we realized this, and now we have our own form of organized government. The Committee of 51 was also probably right when they said that “"No remedy can be of avail unless it proceeds from the joint acts and approbation of all."” but if we cannot convince the rest of the colonies of this, at least we will be prepared. No one should have to live in a government without rights.
Rights are important to everyone in the new world. When our ancestors first came over here, they came because it represented a new beginning and new opportunities for them. What should have been great new opportunities turned into horrible subjugation for all involved. For these reasons, in Maryland’s constitution has a very clear and open declaration of rights. The most important of which, in my opinion is “That freedom of speech and debate, or proceedings in the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in any Court of Judicature.” (Declaration of Rights Article 10). No more wrongful persecution of those who deserve no such punishment. This constitution represents everything we have fought for, everything we have won the right to have as Americans.
In my opinion, there are no legitimate reasons to stay loyal to the crown. You may say that my statehood has something to do with that. You may say that everyone and all the situations within Maryland has caused me to sway in one direction. But the way I see it, its only common sense. I don’t hate Britain, but I surely hate being oppressed by them. When I have the power to help create my own form of government that can be much more closely monitored, I see no reason not to take part.
Bibliography:
Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. 1776
New York Committee of Fifty-One, Letter from the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence. 1774.
Alden Allan, Anne. "Patriots and Loyalists: The Choice of Political Allegiances by the Members of Maryland's Proprietary Elite." The Journal of Southern History May 1972: 283-292.
Ninth Provincial Convention. Constitution of Maryland. Maryland State Archives
Through and through I am a patriot. In my point of view, there is no turning back anymore. Thomas Paine said it best when he said, “A new method of thinking hath arisen” (Paine 28). Too much has been done to the colonies, for us to go back to serving such an evil master. We have been oppressed and manipulated for far too long. All of our attempts at peace were ignored. Now it is time for action. We have some power against them that has certainly been demonstrated in the last few years. Not to mention we have also proved that we can govern ourselves, even in times of great stress. Not only that, but we are now to the point that reconciliation is near impossible. When our choices are, fight for the very slim chance that we can go back to being ruled by a corrupt government, or take up arms and fight for our rights and get to not only govern ourselves, but be able to keep a close eye on that government so that nothing like this ever happens again, the choice seems obvious to me. However nothing we do will work unless we come together to make the decision that will best benefit us all.
The New York committee of fifty-one hit it right on the head when they expressed that the situation we are currently in, involves not only just the patriots, or a few select colonies, but a whole continent. (New York Committee of Fifty-One). We have to come together and be organized if we have any hope of successfully facing the problems in front of us. England is exploiting our every weakness, and being unorganized is one of the biggest weaknesses we can have. In my home state we realized this, and now we have our own form of organized government. The Committee of 51 was also probably right when they said that “"No remedy can be of avail unless it proceeds from the joint acts and approbation of all."” but if we cannot convince the rest of the colonies of this, at least we will be prepared. No one should have to live in a government without rights.
Rights are important to everyone in the new world. When our ancestors first came over here, they came because it represented a new beginning and new opportunities for them. What should have been great new opportunities turned into horrible subjugation for all involved. For these reasons, in Maryland’s constitution has a very clear and open declaration of rights. The most important of which, in my opinion is “That freedom of speech and debate, or proceedings in the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in any Court of Judicature.” (Declaration of Rights Article 10). No more wrongful persecution of those who deserve no such punishment. This constitution represents everything we have fought for, everything we have won the right to have as Americans.
In my opinion, there are no legitimate reasons to stay loyal to the crown. You may say that my statehood has something to do with that. You may say that everyone and all the situations within Maryland has caused me to sway in one direction. But the way I see it, its only common sense. I don’t hate Britain, but I surely hate being oppressed by them. When I have the power to help create my own form of government that can be much more closely monitored, I see no reason not to take part.
Bibliography:
Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. 1776
New York Committee of Fifty-One, Letter from the New York Committee of Fifty-One to the Boston Committee of Correspondence. 1774.
Alden Allan, Anne. "Patriots and Loyalists: The Choice of Political Allegiances by the Members of Maryland's Proprietary Elite." The Journal of Southern History May 1972: 283-292.
Ninth Provincial Convention. Constitution of Maryland. Maryland State Archives
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Essay 2 Outline 1
Outline:
I: There is no going back
-----A: "A new method of thinking hath arisen." Thomas Paine
----------1: The colonists now understand that breaking from Britian is the ----------only option they may have soon
---------2: Why fight against the inevitable?
-----B: "The cause is general and concerns a whole continent" NY -----Committee of 51
----------1: IT is time for the colonists to come together. To much has ----------happened to go back.
----------2: "No remedy can be of avail unless it proceeds from the joint ----------acts and approbiation of all."
II: America tried to go about this peacefully
-----A: "Our breast remain to tender a regard for the kingdom from -----which we derive our origin
----------1: They didnt want to not be British, they wanted to not be ----------oppressed.
-----B) Previous attempts were not taken into action
----------1) Petitions like the olive branch petition tried very hard to go ----------about this peacefully, and the king never even looked at this document
I: There is no going back
-----A: "A new method of thinking hath arisen." Thomas Paine
----------1: The colonists now understand that breaking from Britian is the ----------only option they may have soon
---------2: Why fight against the inevitable?
-----B: "The cause is general and concerns a whole continent" NY -----Committee of 51
----------1: IT is time for the colonists to come together. To much has ----------happened to go back.
----------2: "No remedy can be of avail unless it proceeds from the joint ----------acts and approbiation of all."
II: America tried to go about this peacefully
-----A: "Our breast remain to tender a regard for the kingdom from -----which we derive our origin
----------1: They didnt want to not be British, they wanted to not be ----------oppressed.
-----B) Previous attempts were not taken into action
----------1) Petitions like the olive branch petition tried very hard to go ----------about this peacefully, and the king never even looked at this document
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Facilitator Prep: Olive Branch Petition
On July 8th 1775 the Continental Congress wrote a petition that would become known as the olive branch petition. This was a petition written to Great Britain and its citizens in order to try and mend some of the bridges with them. The colonies all understood that their relationship with Britain was vital. The congress was made up of Representatives from all the colonies from all the colonies, and all of them signed this petition. These Representatives were also sure to make sure that this petition was easily understandable so their words could not be misunderstood.
Monday, November 3, 2008
First Continental Congress and my PSEC experience.
The First Continental Congress serves as an inspiration to many people. They were a group of people who saw something that needed to be fixed, and they fixed it. After British parliment began to pass a number of acts that were not in the best interest of the colonies, they decided to form their own congress where all of the colonies were represented, so their best intrests were always key. This was considered treason by Britian, yet they did not give up. For this they are one of the best examples of what humans are capable when they work together to get organized with a cause.
I being born at the time I am, know the importance of organized government. I also know how important it is to keep government, whether it be big or small, under a close eye so that nothing gets out of hand. I have recently had a closer encounter with this then ever before, at Pudget sound Early College.
PSEC, the school that I am currently attending is very democratic. The part of this system I think can best learn from The First Continental Congress is the Advisory coucil. It is their job to oversee everything that happens in the democratic aspects of our school. Gerda Learner makes the good point that we must take our lessons from the actions of those before us. At PSEC the advisory council can learn from the actions of the congress because they are a great example of the right way to make sure everything gets done when it needs to be.
I being born at the time I am, know the importance of organized government. I also know how important it is to keep government, whether it be big or small, under a close eye so that nothing gets out of hand. I have recently had a closer encounter with this then ever before, at Pudget sound Early College.
PSEC, the school that I am currently attending is very democratic. The part of this system I think can best learn from The First Continental Congress is the Advisory coucil. It is their job to oversee everything that happens in the democratic aspects of our school. Gerda Learner makes the good point that we must take our lessons from the actions of those before us. At PSEC the advisory council can learn from the actions of the congress because they are a great example of the right way to make sure everything gets done when it needs to be.
Facilitator Prep Sheet
The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms
This declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson, on behalf of the representitives of the United Colonies of North America. Its intended audience was the Parliment of Great Britian. It basically explains why the people of the colonies are going to defend themselves agaisnt Britian if neccessary, yet not break bonds with them. It is written in a tone that is clearly understandable to all, so their point can not be misconcieved. They justify this by talking about how Britian wants to have absolute power over everything, and this was not intended by "the divine author".
This declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson, on behalf of the representitives of the United Colonies of North America. Its intended audience was the Parliment of Great Britian. It basically explains why the people of the colonies are going to defend themselves agaisnt Britian if neccessary, yet not break bonds with them. It is written in a tone that is clearly understandable to all, so their point can not be misconcieved. They justify this by talking about how Britian wants to have absolute power over everything, and this was not intended by "the divine author".
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Give Me Liberty or Give me Death
I have heard the quote "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" many times over the course of my school career but tonight was the first time i found out there was a document behind it! The author Patrick Henry has an incredibly strong voice in this letter, written to a president (I was confused on this part, on which president he is referring to). This letter, obviously talks about how Henry beleives that now is the time for their liberty to be taken, and that to do so they must fight for it. He refers to "us" and "ourselves" a lot in this letter, so i suppose he believes he is the voice of the people.
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