George W. Bush, down in Memphis today at Graceland with the Japanese prime minister, is thinking not only about "Good King Elvis," but also "Bad King George" of England -- the one who Thomas Jefferson lambasted in The Declaration of Independence back on July 4, 1776.George W. is also thinking about other evil royalty -- like Queen Lili'uokalani of Hawaii -- and how she was an impediment to the spread of democracy and freedom -- exactly like King George of England was!
How do I know what George W is thinking, you ask? Because Me & George W. have amazingly similar lives. Here's some background on what we're thinking about today:
Hawaii, after a coup financed and directed by American interests overthrew the monarchy's last native Hawaiian leader, Queen Lili'uokalani, the island became a republic in 1894.
In 1898, the American president of the Republic of Hawai'i, Sanford Dole, James Dole's* cousin, agreed to the Republic's annexation by the United States. (Citation here)
Me & George W. and Elvis know that when you're making pineapple juice you've got to do a little squeezing. If you know what I mean.It's sometimes a prickly business, but ultimately the juice of freedom is worth it!
*"During the nineteenth century, the first American missionaries and then American business interests began to play major roles in the islands. Most notable were the powerful fruit and sugarcane corporations such as the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, founded by James Dole..."
Technorati Tags: Bush, Elvis, Fourth of July, Hawaii, Freedom
2 comments:
Sanford Dole and James Dole...are they at all related to the Dole Pineapple company or is that just a massive coincidence?
Yes, they were those "pineapple" Doles.
I've updated the post with a footnote to include this minor but interesting fact.
Thanks for asking.
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