The New Pamphleteers

Among other things, the blogosphere is inherently democratic, in the original sense of every citizen having a direct voice in the polis. I consider blogging to be a direct descendent of the proud political tradition of pamphleteering. Think Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine, who wrote and sold opinion pieces in the forms of pamphlets in the 18th century. If Franklin or Paine were alive today, I'm sure they would both be avid bloggers.

While I was trolling for appropriate hyperlinks, I rediscovered this quote from Thomas Paine:

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it Now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorius the triumph."
Thomas Paine, The Crisis -- December 1776

An appropriate sentiment as we commemorate Patriot's Day tomorrow.