For those who don't know, each year Monticello holds an event where immigrants who have passed through the naturalization process are sworn in as U.S. citizens. This year there were 78 who chose to take the oath at this ceremony at Monticello. Ken Burns was the speaker and he was very good, but the man who stole the show was actually the first who spoke, a U.S. District Court judge who read the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. His impassioned reading of Jefferson's words was a tough act to follow with many lines eliciting applause and cheers from the audience, followed by a standing ovation. They were revolutionary words and they struck a chord with this crowd, who obviously were viewing Trump as the modern counterpart to King George. Although he only read the preamble, the Declaration of Independence goes on to list the colonists' grievances against the king, many of which do indeed seem very similar to current events:
- He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, ...
- He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, ...
- He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance (Musk/DOGE)
- For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world (tariffs)
- For imposing Taxes on us without our consent (tariffs)
- For depriving us in many of cases, of the benefits of trial by jury (extra-judicial deportations)
- For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences (deportations)
- He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. (ICE)
It remains to be seen whether this country will ever again have a full, fair, and free election in which the electorate can correct the mistakes of the last one. The GOP cult is hellbent on holding onto power by any means necessary. They made that abundantly clear by the events of January 6th as well as every ass-kissing action and vote they have taken Trump took office.
Later in the evening, Bailey and I resumed our demolition work. When the driver delivered our 18 yard dumpster, he asked if I had enough stuff to fill it. I responded "I hope not." Now I'm afraid that I will have too much and may need a second.