It boggles my mind to think that this building has stood over 200 years without the protection of my lightning rod invention. What were the architects thinking, when they decided to risk everything, just to save a little bit of money?
For a land that has apparently prided itself on its innovative, pioneering spirit, I find it ironic that such a simple device such as a lightning rod took so long to debate, decide, and install. Imagine how long computers would have taken to succeed in the marketplace, had they followed the same timetable!
I am glad, however, that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has finally come to its senses, belatedly installing the lightning rod to prevent any future damages.
On the subject of lightning, I might add, it is also interesting to see how far America has progressed in harnessing this tremendous power of nature. Why, everywhere I look, there are machines and devices that depend on electricity. I daresay, without electricity, this country would be back in the 1700s with the rest of us colonials, reading by candlelight and manufacturing things with other resources like water power.
If only your elected representatives could be awakened with a little bolt of lightning, much like the one that was attracted to my humble kite, in order to rise from their posteriors and take positive action on some other, more pressing issues.
Your humble servant,
B.Franklin