“Somewhere in our growing up we began to be aware of the meaning of days and with that awareness came the birth of patriotism. July Fourth is the birthday of our nation. I believed as a boy, and believe even more today, that it is the birthday of the greatest nation on earth... In recent years, however, I’ve come to think of that day as more than just the birthday of a nation. It also commemorates the only true philosophical revolution in all history. Oh, there have been revolutions before and since ours. But those revolutions simply exchanged one set of rules for another. Ours was a revolution that changed the very concept of government. Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people. We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should. Happy Fourth of July.” —Ronald Reagan
"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." - Erma Bombeck
"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle." - George William Curtis
"How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy." - Paul Sweeney
"The United States is the only country with a known birthday." - James G. Blaine
Monday, July 02, 2007
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3 comments:
And the whole thing is beautiful. We are hated for our freedom and independence, yet we would shut down for a terrorist attack. Let's take a lesson from the british next time and not shut down when attacked. The royals had their concert for Diana after 3 serious attempts, let us not shut down ever again for anything those terrorists do. Enough of this culture of fear.
Kurt, your comments remind me of the advice women get when having to walk by themselves...walk with purpose, be aware of what's going on around you, but don't act nervous or appear vulnerable in your actions. Be prepared, but not afraid.
Good advice!
Maggie,
This is so touching and well put, thank you for posting it!
Now, for some mischief:
Congratulations carefully selected victim, you have been Blog-Tagged, as have I, and now you are it!
Heheheheheheheh ;-)
--HT
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