Life imitates art and art imitates history
Happy belated birthday to the U.S.A.
Yesterday, after my July 4th celebrations were over, I caught about 30 minutes of 1776 on cable. This was the first time I'd seen any part of the film (I've never seen the play either). The best part of the scene that I caught was this bit of dialog between John Hancock (Secretary of the Continental Congress) and Lewis Morris (delegate from New York) after New York had abstained for the third or forth time in a row:
Morris: Mr. Secretary, New York abstains, courteously.
Hancock: Mr. Morris, WHAT IN HELL GOES ON IN NEW YORK?
Morris: I'm sorry Mr. President, but the simple fact is that our legislature has never sent us explicit instructions on anything!
Hancock: NEVER? That's impossible!
Morris: Mr. President, have you ever been present at a meeting of the New York legislature?
[Hancock shakes his head "No"]
Morris: They speak very fast and very loud, and nobody listens to anybody else, with the result that nothing ever gets done. I beg the Congress's pardon.
Hancock: My sympathies, Mr. Morris.
Based on recent events, I'd say that about sums it up.
