It stands to reason that an important document such as the United States’ Declaration of Independence – the cornerstone document for the creation of a new nation – would have certainly gone through a few “rough drafts” or “revisions” before the 13 Colonies agreed to a final version: According to the Library of Congress, Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” was revised by the Committed 47 times and then by the Continental Congress 39 more times before officially being signed on July 4, 1776.
But, what’s really exciting is that a fragment of earlier “first draught” may have been found! Here’s the text:
“The Parliamentary Monarchy is a political movement organically associated with international imperialism and antagonistic to all action for liberation and to progressive movements in the world. It is racist and fanatic in its nature, aggressive, expansionist, and colonial in its aims, and fascist in its methods. Great Britain is the instrument of the Parliamentary Monarchy movement, and geographical base for world imperialism placed strategically in the midst of the New World to combat the hopes of these thirteen Colonies for liberation, unity, and progress. Great Britain is a constant source of threat vis-a-vis peace in these thirteen colonies and the whole world. Since the formation of the United States of America will destroy the Monarchy and it’s imperialist presence and will contribute to the establishment of peace in the world, the People of these United States look for the support of all the progressive and peaceful forces and urge them all, irrespective of their affiliations and beliefs, to offer us people all aid and support in their just struggle for the liberation of their homeland”
“The demand of security and peace, as well as the demand of right and justice, require all states to consider Parliamentary Monarchy an illegitimate movement, to outlaw its existence, and to ban its operations, in order that friendly relations among peoples may be preserved, and the loyalty of citizens to their respective colonies safeguarded.”
Whoa, what’s this: “…will destroy the Monarchy’s and imperialist presence…”? “…outlaw its existence”?? “…ban its operation”?!? Those are confrontational, almost reckless claims by a group of colonies that are barely united, with no real governmental institutions, a rag-tag army, and essentially no navy. I’m sure glad they decided on that “Rough draught” with it’s (47+39) = 86 revisions – things turned out a lot better!*
Unfortunately, the “draft” I presented is pure fiction: It’s actually a re-worded version of Articles 22 & 23 of “THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL CHARTER: Resolutions of the Palestine National Council, July 1-17, 1968″ - and, they aren’t talking about Great Britain, but rather Zionism, and Israel as its instrument.
And, as of today, the United Nations General Assembly (despite objections by the United States and, of course, Israel) recognized Palestine as a “nonmember state” by a vote of 138-9 with 41 abstentions. Of course, the U.N.’s action did not confer or bestow statehood upon the Palestinian people – Palestine still has a long way to go to achieve that.
One way they could substantively move towards responsible Statehood would be to consider their current charter a “Rough draught” and ask the world community what revisions they might offer – I’m guessing there might be more than 89.
* well, aside from the War of 1812 and the Civil War… those were pretty painful.
Thanks for reading!
