Ben Franklin on "Why the Rattlesnake?"

[thatJeffguy]

I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America?

I hope that the RKBA movement realizes the difference between time to "rattle" and time to "fang", and I hope our politicians heed the numerous warnings they are being given.

[Bug44]

Dont tred on me!
haha I just drew that in my note book in class a week ago...

[PocketProtector]

I must say, deep thinkers as this, who seem to have been quite numerous in Colonial times, rarely exist anymore.

[headcase]

"I recollected that her eye excelled in brightness, that of any other animal, and that she has no eye-lids—She may therefore be esteemed an emblem of vigilance.—She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage.—As if anxious to prevent all pretensions of quarreling with her, the weapons with which nature has furnished her, she conceals in the roof of her mouth, so that, to those who are unacquainted with her, she appears to be a most defenseless animal; and even when those weapons are shewn and extended for her defense, they appear weak and contemptible; but their wounds however small, are decisive and fatal:—Conscious of this, she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her.—Was I wrong, Sir, in thinking this a strong picture of the temper and conduct of America? "

I hope that the RKBA movement realizes the difference between time to "rattle" and time to "fang", and I hope our politicians heed the numerous warnings they are being given.

In all the studying I have done on Franklin, I actually never came across that tidbit. You learned me something today,.. Thank you.

[ChamberedRound]

In all the studying I have done on Franklin, I actually never came across that tidbit. You learned me something today,.. Thank you.

Agreed. And for those interested, here's a Wikipedia entry which references the text, and provides citations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag