Bastille Day

Posted on | July 14, 2010 |

Every 14th July the French celebrate Bastille Day - more accurately the day on which the infamous prison of the Bastille was besieged, the prisoners released, and the building sacked. It marked the start of the French Revolution.

But please note Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity took a long and bloody detour before it became anything more than a rallying cry against oppression. In that time the entire ruling class of France was executed. Pol Pot got his inspiration from somewhere…..

So here’s the point. The oppression and emiseration of any populace always costs everyone heavily. It may not cost anything today, but the price will be paid, eventually. It will be paid “In blood; it must be human, and it must be innocent.” (W.H. Auden)

That’s a terrifying thought. It’s a good reason to stand against oppressors, too.

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