the good kind of bomb

This Monday, November 5th, the website ThisNovember5th is sponsoring a money bomb for Ron Paul's campaign. The idea is to gain 100,000 subscribers and have those people each donate $100 on the one day, thereby giving $10 million to Ron Paul. Some have questioned the sensibility of choosing November 5th as the date for the money bomb. November 5th is a special day in England, celebrated for two reasons surrounding one event. For those who have seen V for Vendetta or are familiar with the comic book series, you understand the rhyme, "Remember, remember the 5th of November, the gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot."

But for those who don't, a little trip through late 16th century England.

Guy Fawkes was an explosives expert during the reign of King James I of England (and VI of Scotland). Fawkes was introduced to a group of men in late 1604, early 1605 who were plotting to overthrow James and put his nine-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth, on throne. Following the initial plan of blowing up Parliament, the men would then incite a rebellion to install a Catholic monarchy. They slowly burrowed under the ground toward the House of Lords, stockpiling gunpowder in various locations. By March of 1605, 36 barrels holding about 1800 pounds of gunpowder lay concealed under the House of Lords. Unfortunately, some of the gentlemen had consciences that would not let acquaintances be harmed in the explosion. They sent letters to warn several fellow Catholics, and word of the plot got out. On the night of November 4th, a search of the space under the House of Lords revealed Guy Fawkes. He was arrested and taken to the Tower of London to be tortured. The plotters, who didn't deny their actions, were found guilty at trial and sentenced to die by hanging, drawing and quartering on January 31, 1606. At the execution, Fawkes jumped off the gallows, breaking his neck.

On Guy Fawkes Night, celebrated November 5th, people in England and formerly British colonies light bonfires and watch fireworks. Some celebrate the plot's discovery and the continuance of the monarchy. Some celebrate the valiant attempt to destroy it. This is why some American commentators have debated the soundness of having the money bomb on November 5th. It wouldn't be a good idea for Ron Paul to be associated with anarchist plots to overthrow the government.

But maybe we can look on Guy Fawkes and his compatriots a little more gently. Maybe, instead of seeing that their plot was borne out of perceived religious persecution, we can think that they dared to dream of a time when life could be different, when the monarchy wasn't overbearing, when they could have the right to do as they pleased.

No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation. – General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), Supreme Allied Commander, General of the U.S. Army