Freedom
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Life - means that right to live. The privilege of life is not owned or granted by any King or Government.
Liberty: The right to do as you please. To travel, to live in a place of your choice, to practice or not your beliefs without obstruction.
Pursuit of happiness: Originally the word property was used but replaced by happiness because many of the founders were against slavery and felt that it soon would be abolished. They were concerned that defenders of slavery would cite the Declaration of Independence as a guarantor of what they considered their property. It was changed to happiness.
The right to property: In England the King had the right to strip Americans of their life, property and possessions at a whim without trial. Some of the complaints in the Declaration of Independence:
1. For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
2. For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
3. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people
31 responses
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Kathy Duppass (Deleted) gave props (19 Oct 2009):
absolutely beautiful! I love it!
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Klaus Girk (Deleted) gave props (19 Oct 2009):
Joe, nice catch with the dark clouds in background.
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Betty Maxey gave props (19 Oct 2009):
Very poignant!!!!
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Litz Go gave props (19 Oct 2009):
wonderful image! great sentiments
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Richard Knight gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Powerful imagery, Joe. Super shot.
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Jack Sills gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Awesome Capture Joe!!!
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Regenia Brabham gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Powerful words!! Powerful image.
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Dawn Duffield (Deleted) gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Very powerful indeed!
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Karen Foto Fiddler gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Beautiful shot of our Grand ol' Flag!
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diana anderson gave props (20 Oct 2009):
forever in peace may she wave...
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Gloria Childers gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Very well said. Thank you Joe.
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Judy Wanamaker gave props (20 Oct 2009):
A beautiful capture of our fabulous symbol of freedom.
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Andrea Petersen gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Very beautiful Joe, and I love how the flag is showing brightly against the stormy sky..
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Tina Wichmann gave props (20 Oct 2009):
Great shot. Love the sky!
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Jamie Nardoni gave props (21 Oct 2009):
Beautiful colors :)
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Rob Roy gave props (21 Oct 2009):
Well presented in image and text, Joe!!
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Michael Ball gave props (21 Oct 2009):
A very powerful capture!!
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Russ Baxter gave props (21 Oct 2009):
Beautiful capture, makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck.
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Leslie Hunziker gave props (21 Oct 2009):
This is glorious against the dark sky!
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Lanis Rossi gave props (22 Oct 2009):
Excellent Capture!
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Tim Peters gave props (22 Oct 2009):
Great photo, great sentiment too.
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Ronnie Sul gave props (22 Oct 2009):
Wow, great shot.
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Eva Hoffman gave props (25 Oct 2009):
Great light.
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J. Zbell gave props (25 Oct 2009):
great contrast with the sky! nice job!
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Al Gieryna gave props (28 Oct 2009):
Well done...great composition.
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bonnie pelton gave props (1 Nov 2009):
Beautiful !!!
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Tori Lindo gave props (4 Nov 2009):
Proud!
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Steve Wilson said (6 Nov 2009):
Great contrast. Great photograph.
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Lara Hansen gave props (19 Nov 2009):
love the comp of this image..excellent capture!
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James Goncalves gave props (3 Dec 2009):
Great image for these times.... Nice work.
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Shawn Wood gave props (3 Dec 2009):
Nicely done!
