Happy 4th

[Scooter]

I have heard some of my American friends say that they don't have much reason to feel patriotic about this year, given some recent events.

To which I say - bunk!

For 240+ years, your country has stood for a set of values and ideals that have served as a compass to get you through challenging times, and as a beacon of light for the world.

Today there are forces at work whose goal would seem to be to tear down those foundational principles that have made your country great. Rather than allowing that to dim your patriotism, let your greatest weapon against the darkness be an abiding faith in all that is right and good about the nation you have created, and your determination to preserve it.

You have experienced periods of collective madness in the past, and come through stronger than before. And you will come through again this time.

So go ahead this July 4th and party like it's already 2021.

Just the perspective of one observer who, in spite of recent tensions, could not imagine having a better neighbour.

[Lord Jim]

[RayThom]

I'll second that.

The most beautiful of flowers bloom after being smothered in shit.

[dales]

Thanks for the kind words, Scooter.

Canada is our closest ally not only geographically but in our shared ideals. Despite what Trump has done. He will soon land on the ash heap of history and the stench that he has left behind will be no more.


A short account of July 4th 1965 in London.


When we found ourselves there on July 4th, my father inquired if the populace did anything special for July 4th. He was answered in the most stiff upper lip British reply: "What would you have us do, throw pens in the air?"

[Burning Petard]

This is one of the few times I regret no longer subscribing to the actual paper copy of the NY Times. On this date each year they reprint in full, taking an entire full page, the Declaration of Independence.

I shall celebrate by firing my carbide canon at sundown today.

snailgate.

[Econoline]

A reminder, from a retired career US Navy officer:

• One of the most disturbing trends in recent years, and yet another indicator of imminent fascism, is the increasing fetishization of the US military.
  
  And nowhere is that more evident than this sudden drive from both the right and the left to turn EVERY holiday into Veteran's Day.
  
  Today isn't about veterans.
  
  Let me repeat that: Today is NOT Veteran's Day.
  
  I don't care if that pisses you off.
  
  I don't care if you find that offensive.
  
  Today isn't about veterans. You are not required to offer up some teary-eyed thank you to veterans today. Today is not yet another day for politicians to score cheap points by posting some half-assed tribute to the military on social media.
  
  The 4th of July is about the birth of the United States.
  
  It's a celebration of the nation and ALL of its citizens. All of them, not just veterans.
  
  This is America's birthday, not Veteran's Day.
  
  When I said this on Twitter earlier this morning, predictably the Flag Waving Patriots arrived to tell me how America wouldn't be possible without veterans.
  
  Perhaps.
  
  But it ALSO wouldn't be possible without teachers, and firemen, and bricklayers, plumbers, carpenters, doctors, engineers, short order cooks, scientists, truck drivers, fishermen, pipe fitters, accountants, well drillers, dog walkers, dishwashers, pawnbrokers, dentists, cashiers, computer programmers, shelf stockers, road builders, steel workers, stay at home parents, coffee roasters, postal clerks, railway workers, musicians, students, teacher's aides, clerks, singers, factory workers, poets, electricians, rope makers, script writers, novelists, toolmakers, well diggers, shoemakers, newspaper reporters, nurses, flight attendants, lab technicians, laundry workers, ranchers, miners, photographers, nannies, gardeners, mechanics, midwives, laborers, cabinet makers, butchers, police officers, barbers, librarians, secretaries, judges, grave diggers, dental hygienists, maids, athletes, managers, chefs, tailors, waiters, riggers, lawyers, architects, bankers, piano tuners, bus drivers, drillers, farmers, and all the myriad other things that Americans do.
  
  This nation is far, far more than just soldiers and today is about those people.
  
  Today is about you, Citizen.
  
  That flag doesn't belong to the military. Those flags you see everywhere today do NOT represent the military. They represent YOU, America. All of you.
  
  Don't let these sons of bitches write you out of our history.

(source: Jim Wright, on Facebook)

Oh, and THANK YOU, Scooter!

[Burning Petard]

One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL!

Worth working for.

snailgate.

[dales]

One nation,[under God} indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL!

Worth working for.

snailgate.

FIFY!

[Burning Petard]

Sorry Dale, I prefer the original pledge of allegiance to this Republic, where no test of religion is to be allowed in politics.

snailgate

[RayThom]

Sorry Dale, I prefer the original pledge of allegiance to this Republic, where no test of religion is to be allowed in politics.
snailgate

Amen to that.

God need not be insinuated into every aspect of our lives.

[dales]

Ray and Snail are gawdless heathens.

[Bicycle Bill]

You know, for the last thirty or forty years I considered the NY Daily News as a publication whose main raison d'être was to pander to the masses and only a couple steps above the rung occupied by tabloid rags like the National Enquirer, the Star, and Weekly World News.

I may have to rethink my opinion.

-"BB"-

[Econoline]

[Scooter]

I was thinking about whether I still believe the OP to be true, and I just can't.

The Judicial Branch has just neutered itself and declared that it will no longer stand as any sort of check on the power of the Executive Branch.

Your country is about to deliver itself into the hands of a dictator. Any ideals represented by the United States of America are being flushed down a toilet bowl into a river of shit.

[Big RR]

Sorry Dale, I prefer the original pledge of allegiance to this Republic, where no test of religion is to be allowed in politics.

snailgate

I do as well; but, if my memory serves me, it was said using the nazi salute (OK, it didn't start out being called the nazi salute, but it continued until 1942) for most of its history. FWIW, I'd rather not stand and recite a pledge (god or not, nazi salute or not) to prove I'm a good American. I'm far more interested in working to make a better America--and American needs all of us to do that now.

[Bicycle Bill]

I'm far more interested in working to make a better America--and American needs all of us to do that now.

As am I ... and the first thing we need to do is make sure we vote in November for a person who has not shown his ass to the Constitution, the rule of law, women, immigrants, and anyone else who doesn't line up and kiss his feet or ring, paying homage and fealty to him like a modern-day Godfather.   And while we're in the voting booth, do the same thing for all other legislative and rule-making positions up and down the board and show just what "We The People" can do when we finally get tired of being pissed on.



-"BB"-

[BoSoxGal]

[Joe Guy]

While celebrating our independence, every American should take time every year to listen to 34 seconds of President Trump's inspiring and historic speech where he reminded us that our Army took over the airports, which led to the defeat of Cornwallis and ultimately freed us from British rule...

[BoSoxGal]

Definitely not feeling the upbeat vibes of Independence Day with the threat of November looming - but at least we can celebrate today as the day the UK won independence from the disastrous rule of the Tories and ushered in new hope for the future.

If the Brits can shake off the madness they’ve been muddling through, maybe so can we.