Patrick Henry Speech and Hope For America

I was just re-reading a speech from Patrick Henry of Virginia which was written and presented without notes in 1775. He was encouraging the Virginia Delegates to favor some measures he had produced which would bind that Colony to the American Revolution.
 
In this speech he speaks of hope. And this is what caught my eye upon this occasion of review. This paragraph is a direct quote which will be followed by my edits for 2008. Just look.
 

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth -- to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?

 
And my edits are but few:
 

Americans, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth -- to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of Barack Hussein Obama for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and America?

Hope for America. Hope for America. Hope for America.
 
Hope is an illusion then as it is also and illusion today. Hope for America - Change you can't believe in.