#227 / Pain

I have been listening to an audiobook version of a biography of Tom Paine, called Thomas Paine: Enlightenment, Revolution, and the Birth of Modern Nations. I recommend it.

Among other things, this book has informed me that the original spelling of Tom Paine's name was "Pain."

The book also confirms my strong belief that Paine, and the other men and women who made the American Revolution, would be in complete agreement with me, Jim Sensenbrenner, and Edward Snowden that the current conduct of the United States Government, in spying on all the inhabitants of America, is wrong, disgraceful, and illegal. 

Our government, conceived as a protector of our freedom and liberty, is now like that "fair damsel" in Bob Dylan's song. She means to do us harm.

As I Went Out One Morning

As I went out one morning
To breathe the air around Tom Paine’s
I spied the fairest damsel
That ever did walk in chains
I offer’d her my hand
She took me by the arm
I knew that very instant
She meant to do me harm 

“Depart from me this moment”
I told her with my voice
Said she, “But I don’t wish to”
Said I, “But you have no choice”
“I beg you, sir,” she pleaded
From the corners of her mouth
“I will secretly accept you
And together we’ll fly south” 

Just then Tom Paine, himself
Came running from across the field
Shouting at this lovely girl
And commanding her to yield
And as she was letting go her grip
Up Tom Paine did run,
“I’m sorry, sir,” he said to me
“I’m sorry for what she’s done”

Image Credit: 
http://www.worldwidehippies.com/2012/11/05/in-praise-of-tom-paine-1737-1809-a-personal-tribute-to-the-first-democrat-of-the-modern-world/