Philadelphia and American Independence

I spent an afternoon visiting the heritage of American independence at Philadelphia - the Liberty Bell, the Hall where the Declaration of Independence was made on July 4, 1776, also where the American Constitution was signed some years later, the old Supreme Court and Washington Park. It is an inspiring story of how the early colonials struggled for independence and, despite their own divisions, forged a new and remarkable country. That Constitution has remained largely intact for over 200 years. When it was first drawn up, the thirteen states had a population less than Singapore's today. That founding generation was a remarkable group of men who saw far ahead into the future so that what they put together laid the foundation for a continental nation that would one day become the world's pre-eminent superpower.

They often did not agree with one another. A few disliked each other intensely. Not all had happy endings to their lives. But they left a lasting legacy, not only to the American people but to world civilization.

During the US-Singapore Strategic Dialogue in Washington, I made the comment that should one day the earth be in peril and the human race had to create a new colony on another planet, it was more likely that the new society would be organised more like the US than any other existing country on earth. For indeed, the US was created out of disparate groups who came from the Old World in Europe. I thought it necessary to make this point in order to set in perspective rather gloomy discussions about the state of the US today.

In all great underakings, the moment of conception is the most important. Philadelphia provided the crucible.

George Yeo

The Liberty Bell

The Independence Hall

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Independence

Comments

[capt america]

Everything made in America must be good like their Liberty Ball. And America did leave lasting legacies:

The American Air Force Chief during the Viet-Nam war certainly wasn't joking when he said that he was gonna 'bomb them back to the Stone Age'.

Or 'liberate' Iraq.

And allow the Israeli government to keep screwing the Palestinians.

Plus they've got great track records in racism, subjugating the 'natives' at home & elsewhere like the Philippines and prop murderous Latin American puppet-states.

[.]

Serangoon Gardens residents are upset about MND's decision to go ahead with the workers dorm. Mrs Lim Hwee Hua has given her full effort to placate the groundswell of anger. However the Joe Six Packs and Hockey Mothers have not warmed up to her because she does not wink and shoot moose. They want their Mac to come back from the Hanoi Philly Hilton. Many in the estate have wondered where Minister Yeo stood and what he intended to do after the news came out. This would be a good time to report back for duty in Singapore and attend to their concerns. The bells will be tolling for the PAP at the next general election if the issue is not properly addressed.

[ms america]

Plus the economic sentiments seem like a disaster. And Chua Beng Huat's oxymoronic comment on 'stable employment'...how??? The middle-class, Serangoon Garden types are gonna be hit - with drastic political consequences for the PAP.