Sunday is July 4th, what we Americans call our Independence Day. Despite the fact that the Declaration was issued a few days earlier than this some 245 years ago. (The title is the characterization of 245 in base 2; I could have used רמה had I chosen to use Hebrew.) And, as was true for Israel when it declared its independence in 1948, our neighbors weren’t so sure we were independent. OK. For America, it wasn’t the “neighbors”- it was Britain. But, even when Britain conceded it lost the States, it wasn’t until the completion of the War of 1812 that our battle(s) with Britain truly achieved our independence.
Back in the 1960s, many of our politicians were enamored with declaring it was “their way or the highway”. OK. The terms they used was “Love it or leave it”. Those cries attenuated for a while, but have been coming back into vogue again, despite the fact that most of the adherents of that belief seem to only have a cartoon idea of what it is that America originated and for what it stands. Especially as our government routinely violates our Constitution and its first 10 Amendments (which we term our “Bill of Rights”), in the name of protecting us. And, cowers and demeans our citizens of color, which is why we’ve been seeing almost daily protests across this great land.
And, now we have one party that feels it can incite riots in the US Capitol, overturn legal elections, and outlaw the legal votes of minorities and the poor. So much for the Bill of Rights and Democracy.
It is time for us to truly celebrate the idea of America. By making sure we make that the reality of America.
We hold these truths to be self-evident
That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Heavy words, great import- but only if they actually are true. It’s time they stop ringing hollow for too many of our citizens.
Oh, and happy birthday to my son, Daniel, who graced this world 30 years ago on the 4th of July! Even though he is now clear across this great nation of ours,
Amen to all of this. I hope that change is on the way for all people of color. Starting with booting Trump out of office.
Great message, Elisa! Thanks!
Once again an excellent blog on Independence Day. I remembered it was you sons birthday but I didn’t realize he weighed the same as our oldest daughter! Happy Birthday Daniel! Ah to be 29 again. LOL
Martha recently posted..My Golden Shovel
Can we even remember 29 any more, Martha?
Happy birthday to your son in advance. Hope you have a wonderful 4th of July.Freedom is precious.
True Freedom is precious. It’s when there are strings attached that there are problems.
Yes. Time to take a look at that document and really understand and LIVE that truth. Thanks for the words, Roy. (And happy birthday to your son!)
Lori Ferguson recently posted..Hello! What’s your passion?
I’m with you, Lori! I’ll pass along the wishes, too!
Well put Roy! Thank you.
Thank you so much, Cindy Rae!
Thanks for the history on our (supposed) freedoms. We are on the brink of losing them all, but you already know that. Happy Birthday to your son!!
I fear for the loss of America- very soon, unless change is instituted.
Happy birthday to your son. What an adorable birth announcement. He weighed in at the same as our oldest daughter!
That’s super, Martha. He was our “biggest” baby, too!