Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Monday, March 12. 2012

The Tecumseh quote from Act of Valor

So live your life so the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their views, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a stranger if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself. Touch not the poisonous firewater that makes wise ones turn to fools and robs them of their visions. When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

Allegedly composed by Tecumseh, but maybe not. Tecumseh made himself into a myth.
Posted by Bird Dog in Our Essays, Quotidian Quotable Quote (QQQ) at 11:31 | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0)

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Can't I touch a little firewater once in a while?
#1 NJSoldier on 2012-03-12 11:49 (Reply)
Sure, just not the poisonous firewater - methanol. Makes you drunk but blind, and maybe dead.
#2 Bird Dog on 2012-03-12 12:04 (Reply)
"Sing your death song and die like a hero going home." Love that phrase.

Marianne
#3 Marianne Matthews on 2012-03-12 12:57 (Reply)
My son's middle name is Tecumseh. I enthusiastically cheer for the myth that he made himself. (The original Tecumseh, not my son).
#4 DrTorch on 2012-03-12 14:23 (Reply)
By all accounts the man was eloquent, but the text of the speech isn't ringing authentic ... "touch not ...", ""be not", sounds like heavy editing by some wasicu editor of the noble savage school.

My cat's name is Tecumseh, but the name refers to Gen. Sherman.
#5 wirraway on 2012-03-12 15:42 (Reply)
wirraway .... is your cat a brave warrior? Ours is a big complainer...

Marianne
#6 Marianne Matthews on 2012-03-12 15:52 (Reply)
He is an unabashed apologist for American Exceptionalism, and speaks fondly of the Farm.
#6.1 wirraway on 2012-03-12 16:21 (Reply)
Saw the movie yesterday. Though I enjoyed it I walked out with mixed feelings. Feelings I can't properly explain. Almost like even placing these men's lives on celluloid, even with, perhaps because of their assistance, somehow makes their sacrifices less worthy.

Maybe something like the inscription on my old Zippo, certainly not original.

When I die bury me upside down
So the world can kiss my ass

We do what we do because we can do what we do, who gives a shit about the credits.

Semper Fidelis and thank God for the SEALS.
#7 XRay on 2012-03-12 22:05 (Reply)

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