Happy Independence Day!

[wagondude]

I know, I'm a day early. Just wanted to throw it out there. I also want to thank all those who serve this great country (past and present). Without those willing to sacrifice we would not have all that we do. And please remember it is not "the fourth of July" that is just the date. Do you tell everyone" Merry December 25th" or" happy third Thursay in November"? Independence Day has the distinction of being the only holiday commonly referred to by date rather than its name. A wise person once said that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. With political correctness trying to demonise the founding and building of this country, many things have been forgotten. We need to remember all history no matter how difficult it is to swallow. /rant.

Anyway, may you all have a happy and safe Independance Day. If you celebration should include fireworks, please remember to make sure all embers are out and keep water handy to soak the remnants.

Bill

[CliffinGA]

Same to you Bill! May the rest of America remember what the day is really about!

Cliff

[Linda Johnson]

We all need to remember that freedom is NOT free. So many people have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy this day. Thank you to all of the Veterans, past and present. We need to keep our troops in our prayers and thank them for their service.

[Corwin C]

Upon the advice of others, I am beginning a new tradition this year ... reading the Declaration of Independence aloud. I believe that remembering and understanding the reasons why the founders did what they did is essential to our future.

Conservative, moderate, or liberal; statist or libertarian; Republican, Independent, or Democrat; each one of us, as citizens of the United States has the responsibility to understand how our nation, the separate but equal branches of the federal government, its Constitution and amendments, the States themselves, even the citizens need to work together for the common good of all in the arena of ideas. There is no challenge that we face that can't be surmounted, except perhaps for the lethargy on one hand or blinded activism on the other that seems to exist so rampant among so many these days. I fear that this great nation is poised upon a precipice that may not have a way to climb back up, and my belief is that the answers can be found in the truly inspired words and works of those who started this American Experiment in the first place.

We also need to recognize and appreciate the countless lives as well as the personal sacrifices of our veterans and men and women in the service of our country that have given in the name of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our gratitude and prayers go out to each and every one of you.

A happy and safe Independence Day to you all...

[GerryS]

Oh, that we were a free country. Today to me is melancholy. I ache for the freedom we had just a few decades ago.