232 years ago today in Philadelphia, a bunch of very smart men
signed up to declare independence from the Crown monarchy of
Great Britain. While their reasons were varied, they were right
to do so. But make no mistake-- they were betraying their
government. They did so openly, by signing the Declaration Of
Independence, but they were nonetheless violating loyalty to the
Crown. Betrayal is a dirty, dirty word. There's nothing
appealing about it. It absolutely should, to honorable people,
create unease. The only time that it's acceptable is when the
betrayed has incontestably already betrayed the betrayer. Their
action was brave, in that they signed it. Their action was
necessary, in that they were at the wrong end of stick, with
regard to supply lines, taxation, and rule-making. Their action
was correct, in that it launched what is arguably the greatest
nation that this world has ever seen. They were right. But they
were risking so much, and more than just losing a war. They were
risking historical judgment of