Proud to be an American!

Thinking about Ben Franklin’s autobiography as a whole, I can only seem to concentrate on one concept. I know it’s rather elementary, but I believe the importance of this book is simply one being able to realize what a fascinating and extremely important individual Franklin was. He was an inventor, a publisher, a scientist, a statesman, and of course of prolific and humorous writer. How did he have time to accomplish all of this? We often look back into history and attempt to distinguish who the greatest men were, and I believe Franklin is certainly in the discussion for the most influential American to ever life. Yes, much has happened with regards to social movements, changes in government, the economy, and all other facets of life since his death, but there is a reason he is commonly labeled as “The First American.”

Franklin was the first man to truly live the American dream. His life story is a true rags to riches example of how one can come from nothing to achieving so much in a land of freedom and opportunity. Within the autobiography, we see Franklin’s views on the importance of writing, of the importance of human development, of receiving a proper education (and advocating for the education of women as well), respecting various religions (and deterring religious strife), bettering oneself by becoming a more virtuous and moral person. The fact that one person accomplished all of this and was seen as an authority on such a wide range of subjects is truly amazing. In addition, he founded the University of Pennsylvania, was awarded multiple honorary college degrees without every attending a single class, started countless public projects to better society (e.g. building hospitals, cleaning up city streets), and even was an important part of the Seven Years War.

Listing Franklin’s accomplishments makes one realize what a brilliant man Franklin was, and how we take for granted all that Franklin gave this country. Not only did he defend the colonies via attempted legislation in England prior to the revolution, but he also played an essential role during the revolution and the eventual drafting of the Constitution. Reading this book made me proud to be an American, something I’m sure Franklin would appreciate.

Venom of the State

What powers do sovereign countries hold over separate territories? This was a question highly present in Colonial America during the Enlightenment. What usually comes to mind is the "taxation without representation", but it went beyond that. In Benjamin Franklin's "Rattle-Snakes for Felons", Franklin brings to attention a different practice: that of allowing convicted criminals out of England, and into the colonies. Franklin points out that the reason why there have been no laws enacted to discourage or prevent this practice is because to do so would be against the "Improvement and Well Peopling of the colonies". However, Franklin sees through this front, going so far as to sarcastically comment on the "tender parental Concern" England has for its colonies, and decides that if England is going to allow its criminals into the colonies for the betterment of the colonies, then the only just thing for the colonies to do would be to return the favor to England, and give them something as well: rattlesnakes. After all, if a criminal can change by being sent to a new climate, why can't a rattlesnake? Franklin goes on to say that every public park and the garden of the Prime Minister should be filled with rattlesnakes. Obviously, Franklin does not mean this. But he states this to emphasize how ridiculous it is to allow criminals into the colonies. You wouldn't send someone rattlesnakes because of the danger they pose, so why would you send them criminals when the danger is just as present? In fact, Franklin concludes by saying sending criminals to the colonies presents a greater danger than the rattlesnakes, because at least the rattlesnakes give a warning before they attack.

Franklin's work in "Rattle-Snakes for Felons" represents more than just an attack on allowing criminals into the colonies. It challenges the power of England by keeping them responsible for its colonies. If a state is to hold territories, it has a responsibility to not endanger them. For me, this goes beyond the Enlightenment. For me, this relates also to the United States and Puerto Rico, particularly with regards to military's live bombing and naval testing practices near Vieques and Culebra from 1941 until about 2003, two smaller islands also a part of the Commonwealth. The practices have led to toxic waste being left in the area, as well as the death of David Sanes in 1999, when a bomb was dropped only 30 feet from his location. I am not saying that the United States is lording over Puerto Rico as England did to its colonies, or that Puerto Rico is a colony in the old sense of the world. Rather, if a state is to have outside territories, it has a responsibility to not put its territories and the people within them in danger.