I supported President Trump in two elections and felt strongly that the impeachment effort last year was a mistake. However, given his involvement in the anti-democratic, anti-American activities yesterday, I strongly urge the Vice President and Cabinet to invoke the 25th amendment today. Removal would be so much better if it came from his own cabinet, rather than from Congress, an action that would be perceived as political and would further incite the mob. I have confidence that Vice President Pence would conduct the transition competently and with deference to the Constitutional imperatives or our Republic.
Happy Independence Day!
IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. 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.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to edisposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms txtend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor. The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated: Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6
U.S. National Archives & Records Administration 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, 20740-6001, • 1-86-NARA-NARA • 1-866-272-6272 |
Did You Know…Independence Day Should Actually Be July 2?
Independence Hall–WorldHeritage.Routes.Travel
July 2, 1776 is the day that the Continental Congress actually voted for independence. John Adams, in his writings, even noted that July 2 would be remembered in the annals of American history and would be marked with fireworks and celebrations. The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4 but wasn’t actually signed until August 2. Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the document, although all were not present on that day in August.
Remembering US WWII Submariners on this Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, people sometimes thank veterans, rather than remembering those that died defending the United States. Surviving Veterans have our own day, 11 November. Today, we should remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. As we do so, let us not just think about our most recent conflicts. Before it recedes into history, let us remember comrades of our parents and grandparents, who gave their lives during WWII, which ended over 70 years ago.
The US Submarine Service took the highest percent of casualties of any US service during that war–nearly 23%. Submariners represented only 1.6% of Navy personnel, but were responsible for over 55% of Japanese ships sunk. My father, James Brink, was a submariner. He survived four war patrols on the USS Sea Poacher (SS-406) and went on to raise a family and have a successful career. Over 3,500 of his fellow submariners did not. In all, 52 American submarines were lost during WWII.
Below is a list of US submarines lost during WWII. Casualty lists for each submarine can be found at the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association.
1941
USS SEALION (SS-195)
1942
USS S-36 (SS-141), USS S-26 (SS-131), USS SHARK (SS-174), USS PERCH (SS-176), USS S-27 (SS-132), USS S-39 (SS-144), USS GRUNION (SS-216)
1943
USS ARGONAUT (SS-166), USS AMBERJACK (SS-219), USS GRAMPUS (SS-207), USS TRITON (SS-201), USS PICKEREL (SS-177), USS GRENADIER (SS-210), USS RUNNER (SS-275), USS R-12 (SS-89), USS GRAYLING (SS-209), USS POMPANO (SS-181), USS CISCO (SS-290), USS S-44 (SS-155), USS DORADO (SS-248), USS WAHOO (SS-238), USS CORVINA (SS-226), USS SCULPIN (SS-191), USS CAPELIN (SS-289)
1944
USS SCORPION (SS-278), USS GRAYBACK (SS-208), USS TROUT (SS-202), USS TULIBEE (SS-284), USS GUDGEON (SS-211), USS HERRING (SS-233), USS GOLET (SS-361), USS S-28 (SS-133), USS ROBALO (SS-273), USS FLIER (SS-250), USS HARDER (SS-257), USS SEAWOLF (SS-197), USS SHARK II (SS-314), USS TANG (SS-306), USS ESCOLAR (SS-294), USS ALBACORE (SS-218), USS GROWLER (SS-215), USS DARTER (SS-227), USS SCAMP (SS-277)
1945
USS SWORDFISH (SS-193), USS BARBEL (SS-316), USS KETE (SS-369), USS TRIGGER (SS-237), USS SNOOK (SS-279), USS LAGARTO (SS-371), USS BONEFISH (SS-223), USS BULLHEAD (SS-332)
ADDITIONAL WW II SUBMARINE PERSONNEL LOSSES ARE ALSO ON THE SITE
Happy Veterans Day!
Happy veterans day to all my fellow veterans! Here are some pictures of my Dad, his fellow shipmates, and the USS Sea Poacher (SS 406). James Brink (at the time a LTJG) served aboard the Sea Poacher for four war patrols during World War II. After the war he remained in the Reserve, was mobilized during Korea and the Cuban Missile Crisis, commanded two reserve submarines, and retired as a Commander in 1964. In his civilian career, he practiced law for over 40 years.
USS Sea Poacher (SS 406). Images courtesy of the USS Sea Poacher Association (www.seapoacher.com). War Patrols may be accessed on the site.
Roger Stone: Huma Abedin ‘Most Likely a Saudi Spy’ with ‘Deep, Inarguable Connections’ to ‘Global Terrorist Entity’
In light of the reopening of the email investigation and the source –Huma Abedin’s husband’s computer devices–that caused it to be reopened, the following June Breitbart article is very interesting:
Voter Fraud–Yet Again
I wrote this book about voter fraud for the 2012 election, but this silent crime has again reappeared as a threat to an honest and fair outcome for this election. Buy my book for a good background on this recurring affront to American democracy.