Our state Legislature will get a second chance to designate Jan. 29, the birthday of Thomas Paine, as Thomas Paine Day.
It wouldn't be an actual holiday. We'd simply take official notice.
Rep. Lindsley Smith's effort to get this done two years ago failed in the House of Representatives. Legislators got hold of some of Paine's writings and went all religiously ballistic on them.
It behooves us, then, to consider the matter and man anew.
Superficially, Paine is admired in America for coming here from England at Ben Franklin's invitation and writing a pamphlet called “Common Sense.” Paine's message was so strikingly clear and compelling that it significantly inspired our nation's revolution.
But there are others who admire Paine in greater philosophical depth. They are dedicated so-called freethinkers. They have their own freethinking societies. They celebrate the daring and courage of holding, expressing and arguing views that contradict popularity and convention.
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