What Does the 4th of July mean to YOU?

[Billy_Bob]

Constitution for the United States of America

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

This is what our forefathers fought and died to create and what our current armed forces are dying to protect...

From one that has served to those serving.... THANK YOU

To those who have lost loved ones to protect our freedoms... THANK YOU your loss was not in vain.

To those who have served... THANK YOU for your service.

May God keep the United States of America ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

[Billy_Bob]

For Me it is remembering how we got here....

And protecting the future for my children...

:flag::flag::flag:

[ShinGouki]

I believe the 4th of July was the day the greatest nation on earth was founded, finally bringing the promise of a "nation for its citizen" to fruition. Before the United States, every nation was based on the "citizen for the nation and government" philosophy; our nation was founded on the principle that that the government should serve us, not enslave us.

Has this nation made mistakes? Yes. Slavery was a moral evil in a nation that declared that "all men are created under God" and the toleration of Jim Crow following Reconstruction was even more outrageous. Lord knows, we've made more mistakes than that. But we have always came through and have done our best to live up to that basic promise of "all men are created equal under God."

[tislaw]

I echo both sentiments and add, Thank God I was graced enough to live in this country....

[byzantine catholic]

I am privelaged to live in a country where my family which is Irish and Native American can be so successful. I also thank the document which this country became free with, the Declaration of Independence.:angel:

[Physics Hunter]

I happen to be named after one of the signers of the Declaration of independence

My country Tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing...

[hatman]

We have, and have had, some flaws but it's still the best country on the planet. Bar none.
Happy Fourth!

[tislaw]

I happen to be named after one of the signers of the Declaration of independence

My country Tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing...


I've got my bet on which one....and would add the song

Yankee Doodle went to town, a-riding on a pony;
Stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni.
Chorus
Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step and with the girls be handy.
Father and I went down to camp along with Captain Gooding
And there we saw the men and boys, as thick as hasty pudding.
There was Colonel Washington, upon a strapping stallion,
A-giving orders to his men, I guess there was a million.
And there I saw a cannon barrel as big as mother's basin,
And every time they touched it off they scampered like the nation.

[Physics Hunter]

I've got my bet on which one....and would add the song

Yankee Doodle went to town, a-riding on a pony;
Stuck a feather in his cap and called it macaroni.
Chorus
Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle dandy,
Mind the music and the step and with the girls be handy.
Father and I went down to camp along with Captain Gooding
And there we saw the men and boys, as thick as hasty pudding.
There was Colonel Washington, upon a strapping stallion,
A-giving orders to his men, I guess there was a million.
And there I saw a cannon barrel as big as mother's basin,
And every time they touched it off they scampered like the nation.

Yankee Doodle would really suck on a business card.

[tislaw]

Yankee Doodle would really suck on a business card.


Elitist.

But do you just love signing your name?

[zerk]

12 hours of $75 an hour double time... then world class fishing in King Salmon, Ak.

[Physics Hunter]

Elitist.

But do you just love signing your name?

What do you have the old President's Club list?

[tislaw]

12 hours of $75 an hour double time... then world class fishing in King Salmon, Ak.


Damned capitalist.

[tislaw]

What do you have the old President's Club list?


Ayup...after all, I hang out at the Bohemian grove (token Bohemain and all that) so they have to grant me access to all priviliged documents.

Now if Iggy would just stop stealing the damned Aluminum Audi, I wouldn't be so bitchy :razz:

[hatman]

12 hours of $75 an hour double time... then world class fishing in King Salmon, Ak.

King Salmon. Been there.
Have a great trip. I've heard great reports from the area this season.

[zerk]

I'm living here for 3 months.

[Sun]

This is what our forefathers fought and died to create and what our current armed forces are dying to protect...

From one that has served to those serving.... THANK YOU

To those who have lost loved ones to protect our freedoms... THANK YOU your loss was not in vain.

To those who have served... THANK YOU for your service.

May God keep the United States of America ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Bravo!!!

[hatman]

I'm living here for 3 months.

Have a great summer up there.
I'm jealous.
Tight lines.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

What Does the 4th of July mean to YOU?

I'm working.

[tislaw]

I'm working.


Nothing more?

[rckirby]

This:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E

Grab a kleenex..............it gets me everytime....

[Sun]

http://bestsmileys.com/usa_flags/2.gif

God bless America!

[Physics Hunter]

http://bestsmileys.com/usa_flags/2.gif

God bless America!

Amen to that!

[animalnut]

This is what our forefathers fought and died to create and what our current armed forces are dying to protect...

From one that has served to those serving.... THANK YOU

To those who have lost loved ones to protect our freedoms... THANK YOU your loss was not in vain.

To those who have served... THANK YOU for your service.

May God keep the United States of America ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

What a nice post! A huge thank you to all of those who have served or who are serving, and may our forefathers rest in peace! What a miracle they created, with God's guidance in prevailing against oppressive British rule!

[curtis123]

The fourth of July always reminds me of the great risk the founding fathers of this country took, because they believed so strongly in the rights we take for granted and sometimes question today.

If the effort failed, they would have paid for it with their lives, and they knew this all along, but it didn't matter because to them, these liberties for Americans transcended their own lives.

Also of all those through the years upheld these freedoms with their lives. Liberty has its enemies and is constantly earned.

There are also those who didn't have the opportunity to serve, but made this country stronger and better in other ways of innovation, benevolence and charity. They are just as important.

And those who exercise the rights given to us, with voices of protest, debate and redress of government. If these rights go unused, they will be lost.

These are all patriots.

Happy Independence Day! :flag:

[agent_86]

This 4th is kinda sad...

We celebrate our founders declaring independence from an oppressive motherland. And while many celebrate they have have already submitted to a far worse oppression voluntarily.

Its worth celebrating, but its now officially a celebration of past greatness.

[LiberalKybosh]

This 4th is kinda sad...

We celebrate our founders declaring independence from an oppressive motherland. And while many celebrate they have have already submitted to a far worse oppression voluntarily.

Its worth celebrating, but its now officially a celebration of past greatness.

NOOOOOOOOOO!

This could be one of our greatest July 4ths ever!

The very worst thing we could do is to give into despair over our current regime and sadly and quietly celebrate...don't do that, instead...

If you don't already fly the flag go out and get one, put it up and LEAVE IT UP!

Get some fireworks...

Get some hotdogs and beer...

At some point tomorrow, sing our national anthem. Don't hold back, BELT IT OUT!

And keep fighting the un-American garbage this current administration is trying to shove down our throats...

:flag::flag::flag::flag::flag:

Love her...

Stand up for her...

FIGHT FOR HER!!!

:flag::flag::flag::flag::flag:

[agent_86]

NOOOOOOOOOO!

This could be one of our greatest July 4ths ever!

The very worst thing we could do is to give into despair over our current regime and sadly and quietly celebrate...don't do that, instead...

If you don't already fly the flag go out and get one, put it up and LEAVE IT UP!

Get some fireworks...

Get some hotdogs and beer...

At some point tomorrow, sing our national anthem. Don't hold back, BELT IT OUT!

And keep fighting the un-American garbage this current administration is trying to shove down our throats...

:flag::flag::flag::flag::flag:

Love her...

Stand up for her...

FIGHT FOR HER!!!

:flag::flag::flag::flag::flag:

It's not about Obama. It's about the entire ruling elite's attitude about the serfs we like to call fellow citizens.

Its not despair. I will fight for freedom. But we can't fix anything unless we come to grips with where we truly are now.

This is why we celebrate, and if you're paying attention this is what our future is destined to be. It wasn't enough to fight this bloody battle one, we will be called on to do it again.:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=21689194

Patriot's bodies will be needed to secure our rampart once again.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Nothing more?

I doubt I'll get the night off as I'm second lowest in seniority.

[EnchantedFrog]

I
me, an individual, a committee of one.
Pledge
dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.
Allegiance
my love and my devotion.
To the flag
our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever

she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given

her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job!

United

that means that we have all come together.

States

individual communities that have united into 48 great states.

Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and

purpose; all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to

a common purpose, and that's love for country.

And to the republic

a state in which sovereign power is

invested in representatives chosen by the

people to govern. And government is the people

and it's from the people to the leaders, not from

the leaders to the people.

For which it stands, one nation

one nation, meaning "so

blessed by God"

Indivisible

incapable of being divided.

With liberty

which is freedom -- the right of power to live one's

own life without threats, fear or some sort of

retaliation.

And Justice

the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.

For all

which means, boys and girls, it's as much your

country as it is mine.


-------------------------

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country
and two words have been added to the pledge of Allegiance...
UNDER GOD
Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said
that is a prayer
and that would be eliminated from schools too?


God Bless America!

Red Skelton, 1969
http://foundersdiary.com/images/red.jpg

[ChaosControl]

The celebration of the independence and freedom this country once had and inspiration to continue the fight to gain it back from the totalitarians who now run the show.

[Tulsa]

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -- Patrick Henry


July 4th is a celebration of the precious liberty our forefathers fought and died for, I celebrate their memory as the most courageous of all Americans and thank them for our freedom.

[Billy_Bob]

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death! -- Patrick Henry


July 4th is a celebration of the precious liberty our forefathers fought and died for, I celebrate their memory as the most courageous of all Americans and thank them for our freedom.

Patrick knew what the cost of freedom could be. Our current administration is taking them away one by one with blazing speed.... Our founding fathers knew that there might come a time that force would become necessary again. This is why the second amendment was positioned where it was. The right to keep and bear arms is more important than the governments right to tax or anything else save that all men are created equal. They also knew that tyranny could come fast and the people needed a way to defend themselves from it...

[Guild-Sfire]

Damn proud of the many men and women who had enough of a government that treated their colonial "citizens" as 2nd class citizens....and fought for a better life.

Very Thankful for the men and women, who created this little experiment of America....giving We the People a voice.

I am also very thankful of the many men and women since then, that have fought to keep the experiment alive.

[Guild-Sfire]

Patrick knew what the cost of freedom could be. Our current administration is taking them away one by one with blazing speed.... Our founding fathers knew that there might come a time that force would become necessary again. This is why the second amendment was positioned where it was. The right to keep and bear arms is more important than the governments right to tax or anything else save that all men are created equal. They also knew that tyranny could come fast and the people needed a way to defend themselves from it...

The 2nd amendment had nothing to to with having arms to battle our government.

It had to do with Militias.....well armed militias....vs having a standing army. (which was a big debate when the BOR was written)

[Billy_Bob]

The 2nd amendment had nothing to to with having arms to battle our government.

It had to do with Militias.....well armed militias....vs having a standing army. (which was a big debate when the BOR was written)

I strongly disagree!

The militia was THE PEOPLE.... and the people had JUST BATTLED a tyrannical government...

[Guild-Sfire]

I strongly disagree!

The militia was THE PEOPLE.... and the people had JUST BATTLED a tyrannical government...

Lets just agree to disagree.......

Happy Independence Day!

[Buffalo]

I strongly disagree!

The militia was THE PEOPLE.... and the people had JUST BATTLED a tyrannical government...
Funny, one of the first real tests for the new Federal government was the Whiskey Rebellion, where Washington utilized a militia force of approximately 12,000 troops to put down Pennsylvanians' insurrection.

[Ariel_Avram]

July 4th is one of my favorite times of the year. A rag tag group of Anglos had the balls to set sail into the unknown, colonize, start families, desire REAL FREEDOM and eventually made it happen. It is the whole leading up to 1776 that I admire the most, and of course the actual war itself.

Looking at history, and looking at the present, it's sad so many in our country are so dependent. Security is more important to them than true personal liberty and freedom.

A Republic was born......slowly twiddled into a mob democracy and Government dependency.

Our forefathers had more guts than we will ever have.

[Sinister Rouge]

I'm reading Founding Brothers right now. Earlier this summer, I read 1776. Both are great books, and both really express how bold the founding fathers really were, and how much of a struggle it was to start this country.

This is the time of year when you have a bunch of hero worship going around. To me, it's almost blasphemous to claim to be an American yet not know the struggles this country faced in its first decades.
So I hope everyone here takes some time to read some REAL history about the founding of America, and not just believe the legends and myths that have been pounded into our heads.