Posted by jeremy_reeder
on 2008-01-24 03:48:05
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[If you are unfamiliar with the term "tookus", please see the very technical definition on the widely accepted dictionary-of-choice, urbandictionary. com. Trust me, it's the new Webster.]
'THE GOUT', SPEAKING TO MR. FRANKLIN:
"Do you remember how often you have promised yourself the following morning a walk in the Grove a Bologne, in the garden of De Limuette, or in your own garden, and have violated your promise?
Alleging, at one time, it was too cold; and another too warm, too windy, too moist, or what else you pleased. When in truth it was too nothing but your insuperable love of ease!"
Posted by jeremy_reeder
on 2008-01-27 03:43:40
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After a rather unproductive first month of the Philadelphia Convention, Ben Franklin had a suggestion:
"In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance?"
Noting the limits of human wisdom, Old Man Franklin suggested having a prayer each morning at the start of the Convention. Mr. Franklin knew how little he really knew, at least, and knew when to ask for help. Socrates would be proud.
So they prayed, and it may have helped. The Convention eventually reached somewhat of an agreement, but it was far from unanimous. Only 39 of the 55 drafters of the Constitutionwere willing to sign the final version. Franklin himself was not entirely in agreement with it, but he thought it was good enough to be worth having.
I'm not really in favor of this new Constitution, generally speaking, but the following parts are pretty good:
* Preamble
* Section I: Articles 9-10
* Section II: Articles 2-4
Posted by jeremy_reeder
on 2008-01-31 22:56:59
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In an effort to avoid "The Gout", I've started doing a little running. I'm less ambitious about exercising when I'm on my own, so I'm running with Shannon. We don't run far or fast, but it's a step up from our previous complete lack of exercise.
Posted by jeremy_reeder
on 2008-02-08 02:20:33
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Shannon and I have been running every evening since we started. Well, ... Sunday evenings are exempt, right?
