There is an ongoing gag line from Monty Python’s “Life of Brian”, uttered by disenfranchised residents of the Roman Empire – “And what have they [Romans] ever given us…
Of course the answer swells to a myriad of items including the aqueducts, roads, sanitation, irrigation, medicine, education, wine, on and on.
Which brings to mind the folks who we give credit to for starting this whole shindig of Thanksgiving – what did the Pilgrims ever give us? Well first, they really were called Separatists. Unlike the Puritans who wanted to remain with the Church of England, and just repair the sinful ways of the Church, the Separatists wanted to make a clean break. They just couldn’t see the Church cleaning up it’s act. These men and women were not the silly, cartoonish characters concocted with buckles on their hats, dressed in black. They were happy folks who wore brightly, colored clothing that had an aversion to being thrown in jail, having all their property confiscated by the King, or executed. Silly them.
By way of Leiden, the Separatists came to the New World. So perhaps the first thing that comes to mind as a gift from the Separatists is freedom of religion – no small contribution. All of you will know of the gathering they enjoyed with the Wampanoag people – again celebrating survival was no small feat for the Separatists, as only 47 of the 102 settlers lived through the winter. They were a sad lot indeed, barely alive through the efforts of the Wampanoags, and those few men and women who had cared for all the sick and dying. Maybe it was luck, maybe just determination, or maybe a small miracle, but some of them did make it through to celebrate just being alive. Not a bad life lesson.
But perhaps though their greatest gift to you and I was a document born out of common sense. You see when the Separatists sailed to the New World they were completely outnumbered. In fact, only 28 of the 102 settlers were actual members of the congregation of Separatists, or Pilgrims. The rest had come to get a fresh start in the New World – no worries about being hanged for these folks – they just wanted a new beginning. While on board the Mayflower, it occurred to the non-Separatists they were going to settle in an area without a land patent. To this end, they declared they “would use their own liberty; for none had power to command them….”
Well, this certainly was a pickle. How could they build a colony if everyone was without guidance? How could they find common ground and agreement so that they could work together? It just wouldn’t do to have everyone run willy-nilly into the wilderness, getting inebriated and cavorting with the wildlife now would it?
So born from common sense, for the common good, they formulated an agreement. The 41signers pledged to follow the agreement, and to insure the allegence of their families and servants.
- “In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, etc.
- Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.”
This document in now known as the Mayflower Compact and is the precursor to the Constitution of the United States. This is their greatest gift to us, and one for which we all should be truly thankful.
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I know this blog has addressed the negatives and the positives. The pics Scout has posted has even made us react in some way. I know when I saw the pic above, I just wanted to call the dentist and set-up an appointment for the poor guy or tell his mom not to give him anymore candy.
In all seriousness, in light of the economic crisis many of our county families are facing this Thanksgiving, I hope as we enjoy our well-deserved stuffing and pumpkin pie, we all offer a prayer of thanks for our family and a promise to help those neighbors who may need us this coming year.
As you may have guessed, I am a Monty Python fan, and this is a still from the movie.
And I couldn’t agree more. No matter what is going on, we all should be thankful for what we have, and that we have the opportunity to live in the good ol’ US of A.
I second that Scout! And thankful for the eagle that soars rather than known by a struttin’ turkey! Sorry Ben…Franklin!
On this Thanksgiving Day, I just wanted to say thank you to our troops who cannot be home today. Because of our brave men and women we are the land of the free. I also want to thank God we aren’t in a crisis like the people in India. God Bless America!
I’m just thankful that we don’t have a larger Board of Commissioners! I would not want to risk having more ‘leaders’ like Nutter and Sauber!
Scout, I KNEW you were cool when I saw the picture. I love Monty Python.
I would like to echo the thanks to ALL the troops in harm’s way this holiday season and pray for their safe return and their families.
And to quote Brian:
“Look, you’ve got it all wrong! You don’t NEED to follow ME, You don’t NEED to follow ANYBODY! You’ve got to think for your selves! You’re ALL individuals! “
And you guys haven’t even heard me do my “Monty Python ” voice !
I can hear you now: “I’ve gotta a lovely bunch of coconuts…”
scout, have you found any shrubbery or sniffed out the killer rabbit with pointy teeth?
I hear there is a Monty Python Club at TU, but in order to be inducted you have to get a certificate from the Ministry of Silly Walks!
Is that located in the Castle Arrrrrrgggggghhhh?
Almost forgot – I also understand that, in order to get that certificate, you first must purchase a Curry’s Brain, as well as a 6-legged ant named Michael Ellis.
“He’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!”
I have always like the Black Knight scene.
We’ll call it a draw!
I saw “Spamalot” on Broadway a couple yrs ago. If you haven’t seen it on tour yet, it’s a MUST for all Python freaks.
Fetchez la vasche!
I’m going to offer the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch on Tiffin Tradio this week…
Senator – I hope the person who buys it can count to three, no more no less.
Maybe they can throw it at the Court House, sorry my dearest Pudding!
Maybe the commissioners will sell the courthouse to the Britains…or an autonomous collective.
The courthouse belongs to the people, not the commissioners.
They’re not kings, after all – they’ve got too much sh!t all over them.
Humm…… I see by the papers that…… Henry County is having a Christmas Parade in downtown Napoleon, and…… refreshments will be served in the courthouse.
Makes me wonder….. if anything like that ever happened elsewhere in Ohio.
Sometimes….. strange things happen!
What an innovative way to utilize a County Building!