[Congressman Billybob]

I thought this was a good article when I hammered it out. TownHall picked it up this morning. Hope you like it.

John / Billybob

[Vigilantcitizen]

Good one.

Bttt.

[Tax-chick]

Good article, John.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

He developed theories to explain those facts. Then, he developed experiments to prove whether his theories were correct.

Actually, one develops hypotheses on the basis of observations, then proceeds to the experimentation stage. If experimentation bears out the hypothesis, a theory may be produced. To the average person, the word "theory" implies something that's highly speculative, but to the scientist the word imports something of high probability.

[Diogenesis]

Great article, John.
Ben Franklin saw many things correctly.

“There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of
Pharaoh — get first all the people’s money, then their lands, and then make them and
their children servants forever. It will be said that we do not propose to establish kings. I
know it. But there is a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government. It sometimes
relieves them from aristocratic domination. They had rather have one tyrant than 500. It
gives more the appearance of equality among citizens, and that they like. I am
apprehensive — therefore — perhaps too apprehensive — that the government of these
States may in future times end in a monarchy [not called a monarchy but an executive
with monarchial powers]. But this catastrophe, I think, may long be delayed, if in our
proposed system we do not sow the seeds of contention, faction and tumult, by making
our posts of honor places of profit. If we do, I fear that, though we employ at first a
number and not a single person, the number will in time be set aside, it will only nourish
the fetus of a king (as the honorable gentleman from Virginia very aptly expressed it),
and a king will the sooner be set over us.”

-- Benjamin Franklin

[sodpoodle]

Thank you.

We have to ask: How would Franklin view the failure of modern day newspapers to print the unvarnished truth and instead formulate leftist propaganda?

[P.O.E.]

Don't think Ben would've been silent upon losing his fur collar to avoid hurting PETA's feelings.

[maica]

TownHall picked it up this morning. Hope you like it.

John / Billybob

*****

Much more than a good article! As I was reading it I was thinking that it was worthy of the WSJ or IBD editorial pages.

It should go viral, to use today’s vernacular. Thanks for putting the thoughts together about Franklin and Free Speech: patriot, publisher and postmaster.

[vanilla swirl]

keep

[BraveMan]

Nice article! Ben Franklin is one of my favorite Founding Fathers to quote . . .

[conservativeharleyguy]

"...Ben would be happily publishing from his desk top to the world his opposition to all tyranny by all governments, especially tyranny over his beloved press..."

One has to wonder what the good Doctor would have to say about today's tyranny of the press...

[Liberty Valance]

He was one of the most extraordinary human beings the world has ever known. Born into the family of a Boston candle maker, Benjamin Franklin became the most famous American of his time. He helped found a new nation and defined the American character. Writer, inventor, diplomat, businessman, musician, scientist, humorist, civic leader, international celebrity . . . genius!

[dajeeps]

I think the link must have changed since you posted. The correct one is here: http://townhall.com/columnists/JohnArmor/2010/06/26/poor_richard’s_internet

It probably isn’t need though since the whole thing is posted here.

[metesky]

Colonial America produced two of history's greatest men: Franklin and Washington.

Franklin's experiments with electricity opened the doors to the modern world.

[Enterprise]

I think Franklin would be absolutely thrilled with the internet. He would take take any threat to control it or shut it down seriously. If the internet is “shut down” is there technology that exists which could circumvent the system? Like pirate radio, is there a way that clandestine means can be employed to send and receive messages and reroute them? Franklin understood that thugs will try to limit communication. Failure to limit open communication leads to failure of thuggism.

[Kaslin]

I was just going to post your article from Townhall.com. I thought that was you

Your article

[Malesherbes]

Excellent.

I’ve wondered what the Founding Fathers would think of what we have become. Probably amazed. Maybe disgusted. But Ben would set about figuring it out.

[CPT Clay]

Thanks, I smiled when I saw this on TownHall this AM.

Congratulations