Ben and Tommy (not the ice cream)

I called up both of my senators yesterday (Mikulski and Sarbanes) to ask them to to vote for Feingold's resolution of censure. They both waffled and the person who answered the phone said that "they were looking at it (or something to the same effect)." This made me wonder what would have happened if the same thing had occurred back in 1776 (there is no small irony that the King was named George III):

G. Hello? Hello, Ben? Is that Ben Franklin there?

B. Yes, it is.

G. Ben, this is your Monarch calling. You know, George the third. I want to talk to you about this Declaration of Independence thing. I don’t think its such a good idea.

B. He that lieth down with Dogs shall rise up with Fleas.

G. Well, the part that sort of talks about me being a tyrant. You know, where it says “The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.”

B. Little strokes fell great oaks. The king's cheese is half wasted in parings; but no matter, 'tis made of the people's milk.
And….. I’m still thinking about it.

G. Well think pretty hard. My buddies over there might just hook you up to a lightning rod. (hangs up).

--------------------------------

G. Hello? Hello, Tommy Boy? Is that Tom Jefferson there?

T. Yes, it is.

G. I understand you have been writing a little something about me called a Declaration of Independence?

T. Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day.

G. Did you say about me “He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good?”
And
“He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.”
And
“He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.”
And
“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.”
And
“For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury”
And
“For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:”

T. Well, the will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.

G. Tommy, you had better shred that parchment.

T. No government ought to be without censors & where the press is free, no one ever will. (except in 2006).
And….I’m still thinking about it.