The Enlightenment of a Man opus 279
| 19 January 2024 2345 Hours | | History, Ethics, Law, Philosophy, Politics |
Benjamin Franklin, with all his several flaws,
Was and still is one of this country's greatest citizens.
While defending himself in a hearing, but remaining silent,
Meeting in the CockPit, a former room
Where Henry VIII conducted his cock fights,
Franklin realized he and his country were being falsely accused.
Thus, he entered that room with its (English) British officials
As a loyal officer of the Crown and English,
Then exiting in enlightened retaliation
As a 'newborn' citizen of America.
If one is alert--certain words and thoughts swirling around us--
We sometimes are 'miraculously' able
To completely convert our very core of thinking.
(This was inspired after seeing a Ken Burns
film on Benjamin Franklin.)