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The First Gloomy 4th!
WYLL.com, NewsMax.com, IllinoisLeader.com, FederalObserver.com, RFMNews.com ^ | 7.1.2002 | Kevin McCullough

Posted on 07/01/2002 12:32:49 PM PDT by KMC1

Much ado has been bantered about concerning the safety and peace this 4th of July. FBI warnings, flight bans around national monuments, and even mayors --Bloomberg and Daley-- advising people on how to spend the day have bombarded our TV sets.

I don't believe I've ever quite wondered ahead of time like I have this year: Will this day hold tragedy close again to the heart of America? If we believe the warnings and the news reports, Al Queda is and has been more active in the last five days than in the last five months. Many Americans have decided to respond by staying closer to home. My friend Ann Coulter tells me she has sworn off air travel for good. I do think Ann is representative of many, who for whatever reasons, may be more inclined to not wander far from those places we call home.

I'm not one of those. In fact, even in light of these constant warnings, upgraded terror threats, flight ban over national monuments etc., I will fly. In my own insignificant way, its my statement to those who wish us harm, "You will not stop us! And even if you try, we will not be frightened into backing down!"

But if we think that this July 4th is the most gloom-filled of any we have faced, then we have forgotten our roots. July 4ths come and go. They are with us and then they are gone, and most years we give little thought to how or why we even celebrated them. It's too bad really, because on that original July 4th, the men who were about to add their signatures to a certain document were signing their death warrant. In doing so, they were defying the most powerful military machine on the planet and saying, "We will be free!"

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” This is how the signers signed our Declaration of Independence! In doing so, they invited the terror of tyranny to be visited upon them - and for many of them it was!

John Adams was very outspoken about his belief as to why July 4th should be remembered as a true spiritual "holy" day.

Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?

In other words, it was clear in the mind of this founding father that the reason America had been established was so that the compassionate and life-affirming principles of Christianity would be instituted into civil government.

In penning our Declaration of Independence, the signers placed their own security in jeopardy. Dr. Benjamin Rush, thought of as the Father of American Medicine, once wrote of the day the document was signed to his good friend John Adams:

Do you recollect the pensive and awful silence which pervaded the House when we were called up, one after another, to the table of the President of Congress to subscribe to what was believed by many at that time to be our death warrants? The silence and gloom of the morning was interrupted, I well recollect, only for a moment by Colonel Harrison of Virginia (ed.note: a big guy) who said to Mr. Gerry (ed.note: small in stature) at the table: 'I shall have a great advantage over you, Mr. Gerry, when we are all hung for what we are now doing... From the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes, but from the lightness of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead.' This speech procured a transient smile, but it was soon succeeded by the solemnity with which the whole business was conducted.”

Historian David Barton has put it this way: "Preserving American liberty depends first upon our understanding the foundations on which this great country was built and then preserving the principles on which it was founded."

So how will we remember this July 4th? As patriotic and brave as it may be to head to a national monument, brave the elevator shaft of the Sears Tower, or stare up from the base of the St. Louis Arch, spend time this year in reflection over the reason this liberty has been given to us.

Go ahead and have the barbecue, enjoy the hot dogs, the baseball games, the parades, and of course, the fireworks.

But also take time to give thanks for we have been given -- unmerited blessings as "One nation, under God." And in doing so, we have offered "liberty and justice for all" in ways that no other country has dared to attempt to do.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; Free Republic; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: christianity; davidbarton; drbenjaminrush; independenceday; johnadams; july4th; pseudohistory; terrorism
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Kevin McCullough is the Host and Executive Producer of the afternoon show from 3-5 pm on WYLL AM 1160 (www.wyll.com). The "mission" of the show is to be the "daily intersection of news and current events through the dialogue of faith, conscience, and country."
1 posted on 07/01/2002 12:32:49 PM PDT by KMC1
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To: KMC1
So how will we remember this July 4th? As patriotic and brave as it may be to head to a national monument, brave the elevator shaft of the Sears Tower, or stare up from the base of the St. Louis Arch, spend time this year in reflection over the reason this liberty has been given to us. Go ahead and have the barbecue, enjoy the hot dogs, the baseball games, the parades, and of course, the fireworks.

But also take time to give thanks for we have been given -- unmerited blessings as "One nation, under God." And in doing so, we have offered "liberty and justice for all" in ways that no other country has dared to attempt to do.

Amen to that. I'll be out on Wawayanda Lake bass fishing with my wife, enjoying some cold brews, and definitely celebrating the blessings of liberty.

2 posted on 07/01/2002 12:52:04 PM PDT by Huck
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To: Huck
I'll be out on Wawayanda Lake bass fishing with my wife, enjoying some cold brews, and definitely celebrating the blessings of liberty.

As will millions of other Americans, celebrating the 4th away from televsion. I believe Al Queda (following a lead originally set forth by Bin Laden) will want instant public exposure for their terrorist activities and therefore will choose another time for an attack.

4 posted on 07/01/2002 1:00:42 PM PDT by Quilla
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To: KMC1
Oh please, what a yank.

It's the 4th. We're gonna get drunk, have fun and foget all about OsamaWhathizwhozit.

5 posted on 07/01/2002 1:04:29 PM PDT by ChadGore
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To: Quilla
I believe Al Queda (following a lead originally set forth by Bin Laden) will want instant public exposure for their terrorist activities and therefore will choose another time for an attack.

That sounds right to me. I haven't given this story much credence. The thing folks should remember is that 9-11 was just another day. I was right there on Church St that morning. I was a block away from the North Tower when it got hit. It was just a normal, cool, beautiful September morning at 8:45 am. We were all just on are way to work like normal. It was an ordinary day. Folks get all hyped up on these big days, but I suppose they would just as soon pull off their next attack on August 17th, or October 4th, or whatever.

6 posted on 07/01/2002 1:05:22 PM PDT by Huck
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To: ChadGore
Exactly, cheers to that!
7 posted on 07/01/2002 1:06:28 PM PDT by orrick
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To: ChadGore
We're gonna get drunk, have fun and foget all about OsamaWhathizwhozit.

That may be just what 'they' are counting on. Just an idle thought...

8 posted on 07/01/2002 1:41:45 PM PDT by TrappedInLiberalHell
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To: KMC1
Please. More Self-perpetuating so-called "news" to get you to worry yourself sick and stay home glued to the TV.
9 posted on 07/01/2002 2:17:38 PM PDT by lds23
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To: William Creel
Wasn't Kevin MuCullough one of the "Kids in the Hall"?

That would be love child of 2 KITH members.. KEVIN McDonald and Bruce MCCULLOUGH

KITHY bump!

10 posted on 07/01/2002 3:27:13 PM PDT by goodieD
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To: KMC1; Diago; Askel5; ELS; Renatus; COBOL2Java; JMJ333; Salvation; Lady In Blue
A very good piece to read.

A pro-Independence Day bump.

11 posted on 07/01/2002 3:54:59 PM PDT by Siobhan
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To: KMC1
I'm not worried. Every time a big day comes along I worry the least and now I can go out in Chicago and have a fun time. I enjoyed New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day, and on the 3rd I'm gonna watch me some fireworks. In my opinion there is absolutely no remote chance of a terrorist attack happening on the 4th.
12 posted on 07/01/2002 4:09:28 PM PDT by ChicagoRepublican
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To: KMC1
But also take time to give thanks for we have been given -- unmerited blessings as "One nation, under God." And in doing so, we have offered "liberty and justice for all" in ways that no other country has dared to attempt to do.

Worth repeating!

13 posted on 07/01/2002 4:29:57 PM PDT by Salvation
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To: ChicagoRepublican
In my opinion there is absolutely no remote chance of a terrorist attack happening on the 4th.

I have a feeling that this is going to be the BEST 4th of JULY INDEPENDENCE DAY celebration we have ever had.

And, if some terrorists do decide to try something, well, they will find 90% of the American population running around ARMED !

Nothing like some of those AERIAL ROCKETS aimed into a terrorists face to discourage 'em!

14 posted on 07/01/2002 5:28:03 PM PDT by UCANSEE2
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To: Siobhan
Thanks,Siobhan for the heads up!
15 posted on 07/01/2002 7:22:50 PM PDT by Lady In Blue
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To: KMC1
Thanks for the post! I'm glad to see John Adams,who along with George Washington,is my favorite Founding Father,quoted!
16 posted on 07/01/2002 7:25:40 PM PDT by Lady In Blue
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To: Lady In Blue
You are very welcome indeed, dear Lady in Blue.
17 posted on 07/01/2002 7:26:22 PM PDT by Siobhan
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To: Siobhan
Thanks for the flag. Definitely worth reading.
18 posted on 07/02/2002 6:46:55 AM PDT by ELS
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To: UCANSEE2
I have a feeling that this is going to be the BEST 4th of JULY INDEPENDENCE DAY celebration we have ever had.

Bump!

19 posted on 07/02/2002 10:17:35 AM PDT by Steve0113
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To: KMC1
My friends and family and I will be thanking God for this country and our incredible fortune to be citizens of this great country. Not one of us is wasting a moment wondering what the freakish, inhuman killers are up to.
20 posted on 07/02/2002 7:15:39 PM PDT by WaterDragon
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