OT - Happy Independence Day

Submitted by xtramelanin on

Mates,

Happy Independence Day to all.  Maybe take a moment to consider the sacrifices of the brave men and women who formed this country and made it the greatest country in human history. 

John Adams, a Founding Father and our second President, wrote that Independence Day, 
“…ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illumination, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
 
And a link here to a great rendition of 'America the Beautiful'
 
Be safe and have fun. 
 

Gobgoblue

July 4th, 2015 at 6:57 AM ^

But hell yeah to the men and women who have served. A lot of family members of mine have been in the Navy and I don't know where we would all be without selfless people like them.

late night BTB

July 4th, 2015 at 7:19 AM ^

Before you go wrapping yourself in an american flag, realize its a nice place but not the only nice place out there.
Most 1st world countries have all our freedoms, some even more.
You can surf/ski in places on the Med coast.
Been to 45+ countries, lived a decade+ abroad in europe, asia, and south america.




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GoWings2008

July 4th, 2015 at 7:45 AM ^

I was an AF pilot, mobility style.  I've been lots of places, too.  Lived abroad as well.  

Before you go spouting your resume, realize that there's other people that are just as well traveled and experienced.  

I'll wrap myself in whatever I damn well please, thankyouverymuch. Edit:  Even though I'd never wrap myself in our flag because its disrespectful.  Sort of like typing the word American without capitalizing it.  

RGard

July 4th, 2015 at 9:08 AM ^

Former US Army (artillery) here.  I've lived in or been to a shitload of countries while in the military and as a civilian.  There's no place I would rather live than right here in the USA.  Fall back would be the UK...only if there wasn't a USA to live in.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!

RGard

July 4th, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^

I didn't live overseas only when I was in the military (see above when I mention I lived overseas as a civilian as well) and when I was in the military I made every effort to get out and see the local sights and people.

My boots and wingtips have been on the ground at/in Mount Ararat, Istanbul, Paris, London, Munich, Oberammergau, Tegucigalpa and Uijeonbu among others.  

I didn't take your comment as disrespectful (no down vote from me), but when you lead with the 'no disrespect' line, some folks will conclude the opposite.  Maybe next time ask if the person had much of an opportunity to get off base and see the sites.

MGoblu8

July 4th, 2015 at 7:00 AM ^

God bless America! My wife came from Mexico as a girl, but she is thankful for the opportunities she and her family have had here. She says she is an American now. The 4th is just really special to me, more so now than before. I am proud to be American and I love Independence Day. Have a great day, everyone! Be safe!

xtramelanin

July 4th, 2015 at 7:06 AM ^

at that time to go fly a kite.  they risked everything in a way that's hard for us to understand.  imagine enemy troops coming down your road and burning your house down and taking your family prisoner.  they lived under brutal conditions in battle.   they had character that we sorely miss these days.  

bluewings

July 4th, 2015 at 7:32 AM ^

Happy 4th. Get out of work in an hour then sleep and back to work. Sucks but can't complain. Live in a great country so many died for.

Princetonwolverine

July 4th, 2015 at 8:09 AM ^

It's too bad tournaments have to be scheduled on Holidays. Hope you have fun.

a different Jason

July 4th, 2015 at 8:37 AM ^

Their dreams out through their children. It drags the rest of us along. I also hear comments about kids getting college scholarships for sports...they are little kids! Put some money into a 529 or something then. Kids sports today is one of my sore spots. I have a nephew who plays upwards of 200 baseball games a summer. My BIL is the coach so we don't talk about kids sports much.

jdon

July 4th, 2015 at 8:29 AM ^

Rome had pan y circo while we have gay pride and the conderate flag to argue about... all I see is another facade meant to keep our eyes off of the prize so our businesses can destroy our ecosystem and coverup where our food comes from.

If the founding fathers were here right now they would probably start another revolution... So today I am celebrating them, and that innate American trait that we can do better. 

Out of rack and ruin and gangstar death, lets hope America can become what it has always promised and never yet been...  Today I am celebrating hope, fraternity, and the crazy idea that we can change our interactions....

if you don't like my words, ignore them.  Light some fire works, smoke some meat, and have a ball... me, I love you all...

jdon

 

SalvatoreQuattro

July 4th, 2015 at 9:29 AM ^

Without them this nation is nothing but  a land of vagrants.  I find it curious you focus on just those two issues  and ignore the 15,000 homicides, the 10,000 drunk driving deaths, and the 1.4 million acts of violent crime committed by Americans against other Americans each year.

Are businesses guilty of sins? Absolutely. But they are part of a sinful society and race.You can't remove the sinner from the culture that created it.

America is great. It's Americans who are in need of being reformed(and so too does the world). Improve the person and you improve the country and the world.

 

Americans, be worthy of the freedom you so enjoy. Earn the patrimony bequeathed to you

SalvatoreQuattro

July 4th, 2015 at 10:36 AM ^

"sheeple" are among the more uninformed and blinkered people of societty. Once again, you ignore the sins of the people. You do so because it's easier to point  an accusatory finger at faceless monoliths than to really and truthfully analyze the problems of American society.

The core of the problem is the willingness of the individual to tolerate and to even accept the unethical and immoral conduct in their own life. Who among us is really a man of high virtue? Who among us could stand before St. Peter confidant that we lived a life worthy of admittance into that most hallowed of halls?

Society is a reflection of the character of the people. Americans, like most of humanity, is a melting pot of human beings driven by the natural motivation of self-interest. Most of us act according to what benefits us-or  in many cases, does the least harm to our person.

Pray tell, oh Champion of Righteousness, what noble deed have you done to combat the demons that afflict society? Anything? Or have you done what millions of others aspiring  righteous beings have and written words anonymously on a internet message board and left it at that?

I have little patience or respect for people who call others sheep as if they are somehow immune from groupthink. It is they who are the "sheeple" for it is they who repeat the words and deeds of countless people before them: They complain much and do nothing. How very common of them.

Words are great. I love words. But words do not feed the starving, clothe the naked, or provide shelter to the homeless. Words do not eradicate police brutality, rape, or murder. They don't do any of these things.

You can earn the right to talk in supercilious tones about others once you have actually done something, TyTrain. Until then you are part of the herd.