Wish Daniel Ellsberg a (Surprise) Happy 80th Birthday!
On April 7th, 2011, Daniel Ellsberg turns 80.
Please join us in celebrating Daniel’s amazing life so far, as he goes strong and healthy into his eighties.
Leave your birthday message and wishes for Daniel below. If possible, please share a comment, anecdote or story about how his words, actions or example impacted you personally.
Tell your friends! Please Facebook/tweet/email this to whomever you think might be interested.
Just don’t tell Daniel, as we’re keeping this a surprise for him and will unveil it to him on April 7th. 
With appreciation,
–Michael Ellsberg
(Daniel’s son)
Daniel arrested at the White House in nonviolent protest against the wars, December 2010, at age 79.
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Thank you for changing how I look upon politics in the US, and making a difference in my life with your extraordinary courage and vision.
Happy Birthday.
Andy
Thank you, thank you and thank you for having the courage which you do!!
EXCEPTIONAL HUMANE BEING!!
May the world be blessed with more individuals like yourself!!
Regards!!…..and Best wishes…..always!!
Sir,
I am proud to have lived to know you. You are an inspiration!!!!
Thank you Sir! Your service to America will not be forgotten. Happiest Birthday wishes to you, may you live another 80 years to inspire and guide future whistleblowers!
Happy Birthday beautiful brother! Sorry to have missed you at Ram Dass’ 80th b-day party last week…
Here is a little gift for you to use on your day of protest at Quantico:
Bradley Manning Protest Song:
Free Bradley Manning, Free Bradley Manning
chorus:
Revealing a crime is not a crime
Concealing war crimes would be a sin
Revealing a crime is not a crime
and truth will always win out in the end
Your endless wars are a Godless lie
Conceived of lies from Godless Men
You feed the rich while you bury the poor
daughters and son of poor men
chorus
Free Bradley Manning, Free Bradley Manning
The pride we once carried could no longer remain
when the tear gas in their streets bore our name
how many sweet souls must die each day
from weapons marked proudly, made in the USA?
chorus
Free Bradly Manning, Free Bradley Manning
You’ve silenced our press, and sold our souls
destroyed the dreams that should have been
but the world will hold it’s hands around this brave young man
whom we’ll lift our voices to defend.
we’ll just keep singing…
Free Bradley Manning, Free Bradley Manning
chorus
if I can find an e mail address for you, I will send the recording so you can hear the pretty guitar too:)
Have a beautiful day and thank you so much for all that you do/have done!
Blessings,
Tara Dass Margolin
Mr. Ellsberg. What words could I write to portray my appreciation for all the good you have done in your life? You are a modern day hero, a hero to me, to Real Americans, and to all those fighting for democracy everywhere. You have taught me to never give up, to fight for whats right, and most of all to not accept the media machine’s constant stream of indecisive mush. I could go on, but it looks like there are about 800 other people who are waiting for you to read their well wishes. Thank you for being a positive role model (I am in college currently) Your insight is welcome guidance for a student who wants to good in this world. Happy birthday Sir. May the future bring you all the happiness you deserve.
-Pete from Maine
A belated but heartfelt happy birthday to you! Your release of the Pentagon Papers was a great inspiration to me and many other young antiwar activists in the early 70s. I remain an antiwar activist and you remain inspiring. Keep it up!
Dear Daniel,
I’m sorry for writing this birthday message a little late. I just want to thankyou for being an inspiration to many people across the world. I hope you have many more birthdays to come:)
Hello my very dear Daniel!!! and the happiest of birthdays, and years, and decades, and lives!!!! Long may you wave, and long may we benefit from your cogent, informed and passionate commentary on Life as We Know It. Many blessings, good health and happiness. Big hugs to Patricia!
You’re an icon for patriotism and democracy. Happy Birthday Mr. Ellsberg, and thank you for all you’ve done for humanity and morality.
Dear Daniel
Congratulations – and sorry for the dealy, but it is nice to get a few greetings beyond the big day, right?
I am proud of being your friend and having worked with you both in Denmark and in New York at various peace events.
I can happily summarize my feelings for the tremendous civil courage you have shown and the unique importance of your devotion to peace by saying that I have argued wherever I could that you ought to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Well, actually that is a mixed bag because the Nobel Committee systematically ignores, if not violates, the will of Alfred Nobel and have awarded even war criminals. But if the WERE to follow his intentions and wishes, there would be no more relevant candidate but you.
When I see you on videos etc. I simply can’t believe that you turn 80. Go on as much as you like but do also enjoy life. Each of us can only do so much and you have done more than any of us!
My best and warmest to you many many years ahead! – JAN OBERG
Happy Birthday dear dearest Dan!
You are a true American hero!!
With love, from the Napa Valley… (met you at the Napa Valley Opera House screening of your film: The Most Dangerous(Wonderful) Man In America.)
Best regards always,
Connie
A brave conscience like yours leads to a happy heart. Happy Birthday, Sir. I was honored to meet you when Father Bill O’Donnell, one of my early mentors in Hayward, CA, was feted upon his release from Federal Prison ( for protesting School of the Americas.) . You and Father Bill, and Assange, and Manning remind us that Truth must never give way to “appropriate expediency.” PEACE.
Dear Dan,
All the best to you! You ARE an inspiration!!! Love you much!! ~ Janis
A Very Happy Birthday to You Daniel!
Best blessings,
Eva Ehrstedt
[ flowers]
Happy Birthday, Sir! You are truly a hero! I will teach my children about you, your vision, and your bravery. Your life will live on as an inspiration, for many generations to come.
A simple sincere thanks for all you started way back then and all you continue to do for humanity. Have some fun!
Dear Mr. Ellsberg,
I wish you a very happy birthday and many wonderful years to come. With your belief in truth, your fearlessness and your ongoing engagement you have inspired the hopes and beliefs of so many. Thank you. Thank you.
Michaela, Germany
thank you, sir, for your service and courage. happy, healthy birthday to you and yours. many more!
all the best and then some,
michael raysses
Brave man still! Live on.
Dear Dan–
“We shall know the truth, and the truth shall make us free.”
No one has proven it like you; we only follow in your great footsteps.
Ted
Theodor Holm Nelson
Thank you for setting such an example through your courageous actions. You are a hero of my life.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Ellsberg, and wishes for many, many more!!!
Many Thanks, with depths of appreciation for what you have done, do, and who you are!
Happy Birthday, Mr. Ellsberg, I hope you have a good one. Your dedicated actions on behalf of democracy and peace were great inspiration to adult life. I hope there are many and many more people like you in every corner of the world who will stand up for peace and justice system by wistleblowing classified information.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to a great American, and hero! You are loved and appreciated. Thank you for all you have done. Many blessings to you and yours. PEACE.
Happy Birthday, Mr Ellsberg,
Fromm a sixty-eight yer old, just waking up top the dangers of right wing zealotry.
Thanks for your example.
Peter Rogers
Happiest Birthday to you Sir!
Looks like everyone here has said it already, you’re quite a contribution to this beautiful world! Hope you have MANY, many more, filled with more love every time!
Judi
Dr. Ellsberg,
My 7-year old daughter met you a few weeks ago at the demonstration in front of the White House (to end the unjust treatment of Bradley Manning and to end the endless wars). She loved the magic tricks you did with her. She was afraid to see you arrested just afterwards, but she knows that civil disobedience is an important and honorable tradition. Thank you for being a leader and a thinker — and a kind and thoughtful touchstone for us all,
Lisa Clemans-Cope, mom of Nora
Happy Birthday Dan
Happy Birthday, Daniel! You’re a great American and inspiration to us all.
Happy birthday and many happy returns!
Thank you for your many, inspiring acts of courage, including your support for Wikileaks and Bradley Manning.
Dear Daniel,
HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY! I’ve been following you since the Pentagon Papers release, having been a part of the peace movement in the sixties. I met your lovely daughter in law, Jena, in Costa Rica on an Integrative Nutrition retreat, and also later met your son, then her fiance. I flipped when she told me you would be her father-in-law. Lucky woman, lucky you. Lucky world to have your continued dedication to peace.
All the previous well wishers are spot on. You are truly beyond words.
Thank You
Happy Birthday. Wish we had more of you in this country.
” What stands if freedom fall”
Rudyard Kipling.
Happy birthday from all the gang in Australia
mary
Happy Birthday and wishes for many more. We hope you are well and enjoying life, as you well deserve to.
My (Sherry) research thesis which statistically studied the effect of your release of The Pentagon Papers upon people’s views on the Vietnam War at the graduate school of communication, University of Houston showed that you did have a strong impact on public opinion. This conclusion came from sampling of letters to the editor from six daily newspapers.
Your Friends,
Darwin & Sherry Reedy
Happy Birthday Daniel you have inspired so many people to act upon their love of humanity than any other.
Peace and Love,
barbara
Happy Birthday to an American hero!
I was born in ’72 so I didn’t learn about you until I starting gettin politically involved in my mid 20′s. You have inspired me ever since.
I will always hold dear my brush with you when we were trying to shut down the IMF meetings in DC (2001?) and as we stood with arms locked blocking the street you were doing magic tricks.
Thank you, Happy Birthday, and may you be safe, happy, and free!
Thank you, Happy Birthday, and my you be safe, happy, and free! many
Daniel,
You have been an inspiration! Best blessings on your birthday!
Sandy Houtman
Mr. Ellsberg: You are a national hero. Today more than ever, your courage and principles are an inspiration for us all. Happy birthday and roll on!
John Hollar
Menlo Park, California
Happy Birthday Mr. Ellsberg!
Just want you to know you have been a hero to me all my life.
Many happy returns of the day and year.
happy birthday… may your banner ever wave …you showed us all that descent can be done with fire and finesse. You have made your mark….now it is up to the new order of dissenters to try to make a difference….God Bless you and keep you
May you truly relish another year leaving a big footprint for others to fill! I enjoyed our time together in my college years and the impact you had on my life is measured by my repeated activism in various venues. Know that your spirit is strong and will live on through those you’ve touched throughout your life!
Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for your bravery in journalism and other areas. You are a true hero and patriot.
Daniel,
You were a great inspiration to me as a teenager, when I was coming of age. And now, you continue to be a great inspiration to me as a 57 year old dad.
I continue to admire your intelligence, your bravery and your dedication to truth and to making this a better world.
You have all of my love and respect. Happy Birthday!
I’ve been a fan since the 70s when I met you in Houston, TX, at Gertrude Barnstone’s house. I still have your autograph from that night.
Happy birthday Daniel; We had hope’s and dream’s, let’s hope they come true. Our dog’s name was Berrigan, because he was born on the day of the big peace march, Bless all of you, you did make a difference. Another Mother for Peace
Dear Dan,
I’m running close to crossing the deadline into the day after your birthday, at least on the East Coast, and it makes me happy to know that I share a proclivity for procrastination with one of the most brilliant minds…
Knowing you is to continually ask myself, under the soft gaze of the deepest blue eyes: “what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Much love to you and Patricia on this special day–
Christina
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