Sons of Liberty

The dream this morning takes place during the American Revolutionary War. Hundreds of Colonial men have gathered at a secret location. Apparently, it is the barn of some patriot's farm. I see a man, he is the leader of these men, he reminds me of a young Clint Eastwood, complete with pony tail and tri-corner hat. The man is an officer, a captain, of the local militia, and a veteran of the French and Indian War.

The entry way into the barn has been recently mucked out prior to the meeting and a huge pile of used straw is standing before it reeking of cow's manure and urine. I think it is there to discourage any unwanted or faint hearted visitors from entering.

Inside the barn the captain gives an impassioned speech to rally the men. Then everyone is sent, in groups of 20 each, to the pastures to drill, and have firearms practice. I watch as one platoon forms up. Many of these men are new volunteers, and in this particular bunch, they are city folk, with little or no experience with firearms or marching. They are raw recruits. I watch them fumble about with their equipment as their instructor tries to teach them. Suddenly, one gentleman drops his loaded weapon. The group scatters as it fires off. The sergeant has turned away and is shot in the back by the falling musket. This is when I wake up.

As an aside, I am not familiar with how these old muskets work, is it possible to drop one and have it accidently fire? I suppose it has that potential, just like any firearm might, ancient or modern.

The fourth of July, America's Independence Day, is coming so it is no wonder that I should have a dream with a theme to presage the coming holiday.  I have been deeply reflecting on how American culture has devolved and how Patriotism is not what it used to be like when I was growing up. Many Americans have no interest in how we gained our freedom and how the much the first Sons of Liberty sacrificed and fought down to the present day to give them these freedoms. They should be more grateful and more zealous about keeping their freedoms. Rather too many are the opposite way and want to be slaves in gilded cages or are apathetic at best.

The drill Sergeant getting shot in the back in this, for me, truly symbolizes  the sense of betrayal I feel from many of my fellow Americans. They disappointment me to say the least. Today they demand "free" health care, gay marriage, or the threat posed the crazed Islamists of ISIS, while the political class sells us down the river. Meanwhile, the Big government/business cabal seeks to control every aspect of our lives and our leaders make us less free, less safe, less respected, more vulnerable, and the laughing stock of the world. We were once a noble and free people. I have seen everything go to hell in my lifetime.

I love this quote from Princess Amidala in Star Wars movie Revenge of the Sith. She express her disgust with the president being elected Emperor:

    "So this is how liberty dies...with thunderous applause!"

This pretty much sums up what I feel about most of my fellow Americans. America needs a moral and spiritual revival. This dream reflects my existential angst on the matter.