Comments on: Thomas Paine: Hero, Patriot ... and a Paine in the Butt!

By: Dom Ramos

Dom Ramos — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:42:53 +0000

I also live in his old town Lewes, and a lot of people forget that a large proportion of the town burnt him in effigy, a shoemaker even put 'T' & 'P' shaped hobnails on the underside of the boots he made so people could sybolically tread on the 'traitor's initials'! It seems that in the rush to brand the town with his name and identity, people forget what revolution meant- a lot of blood spilt, in-fighting, wrong imprisonment,and a liberty the revolutionary then decries (such as the carrying of arms which Paine did not believe militias should do). I've been commissioned to paint a mural of him alongside thirteen other famous sons and daughters of the town which will come out as a book in the autumn, entitled 'They Lived Here'- in the book I hope to reflect the dichotomy of this figure.

By: freqeist1

freqeist1 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:57:55 +0000

I live in Lewes Sussex UK we love Thomas Paine, there is much in this town to remember him by, murals, his house! etc
glad to let you borrow him, shame he didnt come back!

By: Mayor of Kentonville

Mayor of Kentonville — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:23:10 +0000

Dave Donelsonison is a wise man

By: teb

teb — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:59:21 +0000

the Age of Reason is a great book. i was in the middle of finding what religion i should belong to and it is really enlightening. i can definitely see though how Adams and others would say that Paine "did harm" because he attacks religions. he makes some great factual statements in his book, though, i encourage you all to read it

By: jm4848

jm4848 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:39:51 +0000

That was a very good read. I don't share some of the stuff he believed in (socialism) but I can respect him non the less.

By: ted

ted — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:46:54 +0000

He it with a witch?

By: Edward

Edward — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:59:28 +0000

I love this man for what he said and the skill with witch he said it. If the USA did not exist, I would not exist. Paine has as much to do with my country's creation as Washington or Franklin.

On the other hand: governments cannot stop ignorance, eliminate crime or cure anyone of wanting. What would he have written if our founding government had rewarded him commensurate with his importance? Would the bitterness of his later works instead been soaring histories of his patrons?

By: Rainbow

Rainbow — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:49:36 +0000

Thanks for sharing this piece of history.

By: Larfin Jackarse

Larfin Jackarse — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:59:43 +0000

@stilledlife

North American, French or General?

By: C. Sykes

C. Sykes — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:46:30 +0000

David McCullough, in his wonderful book 1776, credits the publication of Paine's pamphlet, The Crises, with being one of two events that held Washington's army together through the terrible winter of that year, the other being Washington's victory at Trenton. so if it wasn't for Paine, we might all be singing "God Save the Queen."

By: Ali S.

Ali S. — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:31:21 +0000

It's sad to think idealistic people today do not have the chance nor ability to help influence the World for better. It's usually those cranky crazies who get to do so and make for the rest of us a little bit more ornery.

By: stilledlife

stilledlife — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:13:18 +0000

Does not matter, I still love this guy. Read Common Sense if you get the change, it is worth it.
Glad you posted this! I love seeing some real patriotism on the web!

By: davedonelson

davedonelson — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:52:05 +0000

If Thomas Paine were alive today, he'd be a blogger-- penniless, reviled, and often turning to drink like the rest of us. Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds