Below is a essay by Middletown resident William Boylan. All opinions expressed are that of the author and not necessarily that of the Insider staff.
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Changing Neighborhoods, an Essay. By William Boylan
Alex Haley;s book, “A Different Kind of Christmas”, was given to me as suggested reading; something lighter than the usual reading fare to distract from the enormous problems our society faces at a turbulent time, in a turbulent world.
On page three, a phrase caught my eye and stuck in my mind as relevant,
“. . . changing neighborhoods is not always a solution to problems.”
You see, for the longest time the idea of fleeing my adopted state of Connecticut has lingered in the back of my mind. Preventing it were finances, something not insurmountable but problematic and that Linda’s parents were still here and that she would never be able to leave them. (can’t fault her for that) Though I have some close friends, my family here is estranged, therefore I have no heavy anchor and so what other reason is there to remain?
Prodding me to leave is frustration and dismay over the political climate and the steady erosion of liberties by a legislature that ignores the Constitution. Rampant taxation and debt, a populous willing to sacrifice liberty for a false sense of security, social and ethical decline, a shrinking income and an ever increasing cost of living are major contributors to my desire for a change of scenery.
Not being one to run from adversity though, something about the idea of fleeing just doesn’t rest well in my gut.
In junior high I was bullied until I got fed up one day and fought back . . . and won. I was never picked on, again. In fact, I earned a measure of respect from fellow classmates.
In high school, someone stole a watch my parents gave me for Christmas. At 17, I filed a suit in small claims court . . . and won.
As an adult, I battled several unscrupulous landlords . . . and won.
Once, a prosecutor who didn’t like my attitude, brought me up on non-support charges, even though I was current and making regular payments to my ex. She did this without standing. My ex never filed a complaint for non-support, nor did the prosecutor ever talk to her about it. I fought back . . . and won. (I believe it cost the prosecutor her job.)
It just ain’t in me Irish blood to back down from a fight!
But, the fight we face today is not about me. It goes far beyond my narrow, personal interest. What we face today, is a battle for the future of our state and nation, and indeed the world. If Liberty falls in America, the world will fall into the abyss with her. We are certainly the last bastion of hope (outside Christ) for the world. If Connecticut falls, so surely will another state fall, then another. Before long, there may be nowhere left to run! What of our children, grand children and generations yet unborn? Our posterity has a stake in this, too. What will be the legacy we leave unto them; liberty or tyranny?
What of the oath we took and renew each week at the Connecticut Restoration Coalition meetings; the oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic; the pledge of our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor, so help us God? Do we fulfill that oath by fleeing? Do we truly mean what we say or are our words hollow platitudes?
Maybe I think too much, but what of the Founders, the original American Patriots? What of them? What of their sacrifices? What of their pledge of their fortunes, their lives, and their sacred honor? They truly meant it and lived it. Many lost everything they had; money, property, family, life. What would they think of us if they could look down and see what we are doing, today? Do we honor their sacrifices by running or do we follow in their footsteps and live as we speak? Or, are we simply paying lip service to a romantic notion?
Our mettle is about to be tested; do we pass the test, or do we fail?
“. . . changing neighborhoods is not always a solution to problems.”
Bill Boylan, HSD (high school dropout)
AKA, Murphy’s Bain
Some of Connecticut’s Patriots, courtesy of the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, http://www.connecticutsar.org/patriots/
Patriot List
Isaiah Adkins - served the Connecticut Line for 6 years
Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin - a patriotic preacher.
John Barker, M.D. - citizen, patriot, doctor
Israel Bissel - alerted colonists of the British attack at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.
General Henry Champion - a brave and efficient officer
Col. William Douglas - colonel of New Haven Regiment.
Oliver Ellsworth - Jurist, Statesman and Naturalist
Capt. John Gilbert - killed during the Battle of New Haven
Daniel Griswold - one of Knowlton's Rangers.
Capt. Nathan Hale - the man with only one regret.
Capt. Nathan Hale - 2nd version
Capt. Nathan Hale - 3rd version
Capt. Nathan Hale - scholarly report on Nathan Hale
