Poor Richard’s Internet

Special to FreeRepublic ^ | 26 June 2010 | John Armor (Congressman Billybo

[Congressman Billybob]

I thought this was a good article when I hammered it out. TownHall picked it up this morning. Hope you like it.

John / Billybob

[Vigilantcitizen]

Good one.

Bttt.

[Tax-chick]

Good article, John.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

He developed theories to explain those facts. Then, he developed experiments to prove whether his theories were correct.

Actually, one develops hypotheses on the basis of observations, then proceeds to the experimentation stage. If experimentation bears out the hypothesis, a theory may be produced. To the average person, the word "theory" implies something that's highly speculative, but to the scientist the word imports something of high probability.

[Diogenesis]

Great article, John.
Ben Franklin saw many things correctly.

“There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of
Pharaoh — get first all the people’s money, then their lands, and then make them and
their children servants forever. It will be said that we do not propose to establish kings. I
know it. But there is a natural inclination in mankind to kingly government. It sometimes
relieves them from aristocratic domination. They had rather have one tyrant than 500. It
gives more the appearance of equality among citizens, and that they like. I am
apprehensive — therefore — perhaps too apprehensive — that the government of these
States may in future times end in a monarchy [not called a monarchy but an executive
with monarchial powers]. But this catastrophe, I think, may long be delayed, if in our
proposed system we do not sow the seeds of contention, faction and tumult, by making
our posts of honor places of profit. If we do, I fear that, though we employ at first a
number and not a single person, the number will in time be set aside, it will only nourish
the fetus of a king (as the honorable gentleman from Virginia very aptly expressed it),
and a king will the sooner be set over us.”

-- Benjamin Franklin

[sodpoodle]

Thank you.

We have to ask: How would Franklin view the failure of modern day newspapers to print the unvarnished truth and instead formulate leftist propaganda?

[Congressman Billybob]

Having taken statistics in a PhD program, I know that you are correct. But if I had introduced the word hypothesis, I would have been obligated to spend a sentence or two explaining it to non-statisticians.

Didn't have any sentences to spare. So I wrote it as you see it.

John / Billybob

[Mr Ramsbotham]

But if I had introduced the word hypothesis, I would have been obligated to spend a sentence or two explaining it to non-statisticians.

I'm not a PhD, and I've never taken a course in statistics. High-school general science was where I first came across the concept. I am, however, of the old school.

[Congressman Billybob]

Actually, Franklin favored a rough and tumble press that wore its opinions on its sleeve. For instance, the Aurora Advertiser wrote this: “If ever a man debauched a nation, George Washington debauched the United States of America.”

Most of the early American newspapers were owned and written by men who were highly partisan. When you're in D.C. I recommend that you visit the James Madison Library (across the street from the main, Jefferson Building) and go to the reading room with microfilms of all the surviving copies of colonial newspapers.

You'll be surprised to see that they much more resembled the supermarket tabloids of today, than either the Washington Post or the Washington Times.

John / Billybob

[sodpoodle]

So - you are saying they printed partisan, but unvarnished TRUTH!!!!!

(much like the National Enquirer?)

[P.O.E.]

Don't think Ben would've been silent upon losing his fur collar to avoid hurting PETA's feelings.

[maica]

TownHall picked it up this morning. Hope you like it.

John / Billybob

*****

Much more than a good article! As I was reading it I was thinking that it was worthy of the WSJ or IBD editorial pages.

It should go viral, to use today’s vernacular. Thanks for putting the thoughts together about Franklin and Free Speech: patriot, publisher and postmaster.

[vanilla swirl]

keep

[BraveMan]

Nice article! Ben Franklin is one of my favorite Founding Fathers to quote . . .

[conservativeharleyguy]

"...Ben would be happily publishing from his desk top to the world his opposition to all tyranny by all governments, especially tyranny over his beloved press..."

One has to wonder what the good Doctor would have to say about today's tyranny of the press...

[Liberty Valance]

He was one of the most extraordinary human beings the world has ever known. Born into the family of a Boston candle maker, Benjamin Franklin became the most famous American of his time. He helped found a new nation and defined the American character. Writer, inventor, diplomat, businessman, musician, scientist, humorist, civic leader, international celebrity . . . genius!

[dajeeps]

I think the link must have changed since you posted. The correct one is here: http://townhall.com/columnists/JohnArmor/2010/06/26/poor_richard’s_internet

It probably isn’t need though since the whole thing is posted here.

[metesky]

Colonial America produced two of history's greatest men: Franklin and Washington.

Franklin's experiments with electricity opened the doors to the modern world.

[Inyo-Mono]

Most of the early American newspapers were owned and written by men who were highly partisan. When you're in D.C. I recommend that you visit the James Madison Library (across the street from the main, Jefferson Building) and go to the reading room with microfilms of all the surviving copies of colonial newspapers.

You'll be surprised to see that they much more resembled the supermarket tabloids of today, than either the Washington Post or the Washington Times.

As a collector, I own a number of original copies of colonial newspapers and your comments are spot on.

[6SJ7]

"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare The lone and level sands stretch far away.