Thoughts on the Declaration of Independence

Going on to describe the behavior of King George toward the Colonies, the Declaration of Independence reads, "He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power (perhaps our Viceroy Paul Bremmer and our military in Iraq generally?) For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States (perhaps Blackwater and friends?) ...For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world (Blockades?) ... For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trail by Jury (extra judicial killings by drones, as well as the Bin Laden raid?). He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us ... A Prince (or arrogant superpower?), whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

Any chance any of this might be written by a resident of Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan or Libya today? Aside from all this, I recently learned that all of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were slave owners with the lone exception of Ben Franklin. Pretty interesting stuff.

Mike Caggiano

San Mateo