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I grew up with a liberty pole in my hometown of Rochester New York. Sure, it looked good at Christmas time, and the word "liberty" always makes me smile but it wasn't until recently that I took time to stop and think about liberty poles.
Here's some pics of it: http://www.thelibertypole.org/gallery/gallery.htm
Here is some history from the same website:
http://www.thelibertypole.org/liberty_poles/liberty_poles.htm
These were used by the colonists to indicate who was a rebel. We oft lose sight of the historical fact that most colonists were loyalists, not rebels. ( so when you think our current day mission is unobtainable - keep this firmly in mind!)
Here is another one of my crazy notions - prefaced by reiterating I beleive we, MWP, need to use symbolisms as well as a concrete policy message to acheive our mission and reach across todays political boundaries - by LEAPS AND BOUNDS.....
What if we modern Whigs started to build liberty poles again, and put them in our front yards? Symbolism. I can see our college and student chapters using this as an organizing event.
I'd like to research more of their historical configuration, but I could envision mine with a toy flintlock, a gay-lesbian symbol ( as they ought have liberty Constitutionally protected and I dig the juxtapostion),broken manicles, a speared elephant and donkey, with one of those plastic owls you get at US Marine on top ( they're used to ward off seagulls from boats), with a few slogan banners and such that my kids would help with.
Too crazy? Maybe, but I dont 'wrightly' care. Anyone have any more info, or have grapichs ability enough to "blueprint" an MWP liberty pole? Each ought be unique to the citizens who erect it, to be sure, but some basic common features would be best from a branding pov, like the owl on top.
And this may sound crazy but somehow I want to build one to proclaim that I am Whigging out and have a vision of our common future that most do not share, YET. ( well some of y'all do!) So my personal liberty pole will serve to juxtapose uncommonly linked attributes of liberty. Reframe.
Is there some merit in promoting this symbol?
Should we have a liberty pole contest amongst MWP officers to lead off? Either way, I am going to make one up.
I'd get one, as soon as I finally get settled somewhere.
Not sure if I qualify as a MWP officer just yet, but I could certainly get in on that contest!
It'd be fun, right?
and James Ryan, as an irreverent rebel myself, I'd say no one needs " no stinking badge" to participate. The MWP officer comment was more to build some espirit d'corps.
I'd enourage all citizens who feel compelled to create, to create!
As the prog rock station WSAY in Roch NY during the 60's and 70's used to preach as their motto " Be BIG Be a Builder!"
( yes, I am that old and grew up during the hippie revolution.)
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