Friday, October 21, 2011

See? We Told Ya So...!


Sometimes in this country, we rag on the government and the politicians and the law makers...but that's our right!

If another country wants to dispute the fact that we have the right to do so, then let the discussion begin!

Declaration of Independence Was 'Illegal,' Grounds for Treason, British Lawyers Say

Published October 20, 2011

The Declaration of Independence was “illegal” and “treasonable,” according to a team of British lawyers, the BBC reports.

The assertion was made at a debate in Philadelphia between British and American lawyers over the legitimacy of the United States of America.

At the debate, pitting British barristers against American attorneys, lawyers for the former colonial power argued that America’s Declaration of Independence in 1776 “was not only illegal, but actually treasonable,” according to the BBC.

The lawyers representing the British team decided that the Americans had no legal grounds for secession. "[President Abraham] Lincoln made the case against secession and he was right."

"The grievances listed in the Declaration were too trivial to justify secession," the British lawyers wrote. "The main one -- no taxation without representation -- was no more than a wish on the part of the colonists, to avoid paying for the expense of protecting them against the French during seven years of arduous war and conflict."

The American lawyers countered that the Declaration's validity has been proven by "subsequent independence movements which have been enforced by world opinion as right and just."

At the end of the debate, which took place just a few blocks away from where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration, a vote was held and American independence was reaffirmed.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/20/declaration-independence-was-illegal-grounds-for-treason-british-lawyers-say/?test=latestnews#ixzz1bNVQTT6f

Funny how a country can be so divided so much of the time, but let someone from another place try to step in and start bad-mouthing the system...then it's "Katy, Bar The Door!"

Done in fun or not, this is certainly something to think about!

Let's have some coffee on the patio this morning. I got fresh brownies!

11 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Legally, the colonists succession WAS treasonous, while the South's succession was NOT. But, who says treason is always a bad thing? Against a corrupt government it may be downright patriotic!

Ben in Texas said...

Not being a lawyer NOR a historical History Professor. My thinking is, Was that debate conducted using laws in effect at that time , 1776, or using the laws of today?
That has always interested me, people argue about so and so back in history did this or that and it was illegal!! Maybe so by today's standards, BUT was it legal back then?

Too heavy to think on this early, My Brain Hurts! :-)

Sixbears said...

It's just like lawyers to debate issues that have been settled by facts on the ground.

I guess the lesson here is that if you are going to "break the law," you'd better win. Had the revolution failed, our patriots would have been hung as traitors.

Mechanic in Illinois said...

The Brits can go F-Off. Thanks for the atory and have a great Friday.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
Isn't it strange that some of the greatest countries in the world were born of revolution?

I can't think of a single one that came into being in a peaceful manner!

Thanks, my friend, for coming by today!


Hey Ben...
Certainly raises a few questions, but all of them are rather null and void at this time.

Makes for an entertaining discussion, but really doesn't change anything. Might have been fun to watch, though.

Thanks, buddy, for coming by this morning!


Hey Sixbears...
The British did, in fact, try their best to punish the signer's as much as possible.

I'm sure our founding Fathers knew just what they were getting into. It was a brave undertaking at the time, that's for sure!

Your visit this morning is greatly appreciated, my friend!


Hey Mechanic...
You have a great day as well, my friend! Thanks for coming over today!

JoJo said...

Great Post. It is always good to now how things were done in our American history.

Brownies and coffee, on my way

HermitJim said...

Hey JoJo...
I figured you might like some brownies this morning!

See? I was thinking about ya!

Thanks for coming by today, sweetie!

Dizzy-Dick said...

We Americans are like a family, we can bicker at each other, point out all the faults, but just don't let anyone outside the family do that!!!

HermitJim said...

Hey Dizzy...
That's exactly the example I was thinking about when I wrote this post!

Guess it's true what they say about great minds, huh?

Thanks, buddy, for coming by!

Judy said...

Gorges Smythe is correct it was treason for British subjects; and Lincoln set the stage for following presidents to ignore the Constitution, which has lead to the mess we are in today. i.e. I think Lincoln was treasonous on several accounts.

Bob from Athens said...

Hey if the brits want to replay the revolutionary war, then bring it on !