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I encourage you to set aside the burgers and dogs and soda and beer for a moment this Fourth of July and contemplate something decidedly different, maybe even as you gaze upward at the flash of fireworks. Here it is: Confirm thy soul in self-control. What do I mean by that? Let me explain. The founders of this remarkable republic often thought and wrote about the practice of virtue generally and self-control specifically, two things long lost in this modern American culture of self. Thomas Jefferson couldn’t avoid a reference to one of the cardinal virtues—prudence—in our nation’s founding document,...

From: Betting the Farm on Sarah PalinPost 12: To: onyx Per Jack Wheeler, he has been told she will announce her candidacy on JULY 4TH.[He had no way to confirm this, but that was what he was told by a close connection to Sarah.] 12 posted on Saturday, July 02, 2011 8:55:37 AM by shield If he's right, we will know soon!From xfinitytv.comcast.net: She did promise that if she ever announces that she’s running, she’ll announce it first on this Anchorage morning show – apparently the "The Bob and Mark Show" on KWHL-FM, "K-Whale." From KWHL.com/airtimes_schedule: click here to LISTEN...

Chicago cancels July 4 fireworks, leaves shows to Navy Pier Chicago is getting out of the Independence Day fireworks business. There will be no city-run July 3rd or July 4th fireworks show this year — not even a scaled-down version — thanks to former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s decision to hand off the Taste of Chicago to the Park District to reverse $7 million in festival losses over the last three years. That means Chicago’s only official fireworks will be the previously scheduled show at 9 p.m. July 4 at Navy Pier. That 15-minute show is paid for by the...

BELLEVUE, Iowa — Police confirm a 60-year-old woman has died from her injuries and 23 others were injured after two horses broke loose at a Fourth of July “Heritage Day Parade” in Bellevue and charged down the street for six blocks. Police in Bellevue say that a 60-year-old woman has died of injuries she sustained in the accident. Her name is not available at this time. Twenty-three people were injured, including at least two children who were in critical condition, police and hospital officials said. The horses took off after one rubbed its head against the other, removing that horse’s...

Today is American Independence Day, the fourth day of July. By sheer fate, it happens that I am descended in direct line from a Signer -- nothing I did to merit, mind you, simply worked out that way. John Penn was a substitute delegate from North Carolina who is counted among the many largely unheralded who took up the quill to manifest assent to liberty.

Quill pen in hand, Thomas Jefferson invited the King's noose when he set out to write what his fellow founders at first thought would be a mundane legal document: a declaration of independence from the British crown. But despite a preamble that became a paean to individual liberty that has rivaled the Magna Carta in the breadth of its global impact, Mr. Jefferson apparently committed a slip of the pen. To usher in the Fourth of July weekend, the Library of Congress revealed hard evidence from high-resolution spectral imaging that Jefferson, on the third page of a "rough draught," wiped...

Apparently the "rockets' red glare" isn't "green" enough for some environmentalists. Fourth of July fireworks displays have been deemed "ecologically hazardous" by some eco-warriors, who are urging environmentally-conscious Americans to shun the tradition. [F]ireworks shows spray out a toxic concoction that rains down quietly into lakes, rivers and bays throughout the country," wrote the Mother Nature Network's Russell McLendon on June 30. "Many of the chemicals in fireworks are also persistent in the environment, meaning they stubbornly sit there instead of breaking down." McLendon suggested avoiding fireworks and finding other ways to celebrate Independence Day. "The most eco-friendly alternative to...

As I teach my courses at the university, I am persuaded that few, if any, of my students understand what it costs to be free. Between ready supplies at fast food restaurants, the relative leisure of college life, and a plethora of other distractions delivered by iPods and Xbox’s, life in America is far too comfortable to elicit deep thought on the price of freedom. Even as adults, we have to force ourselves to stop and think about how we’ve reached the points we’ve reached and why we enjoy a bounty of liberty unequaled in the history of the world....

The Crab Orchard Museum and Pioneer Park in the small town of Tazewell, Virginia, sponsors a July 4 festival every year, filling the Park area with displays, demonstrations, and re-enactors. For those who prefer the traditional ways, pictures have been posted.

A little over two centuries ago, a young and energetic country was born out of the wilderness of North America. In less than two centuries she grew into a major super power and gave the world that begs for freedom and liberty a beacon of hope. It never was a perfect country, but one that sought to be the very best that it could be. She had spirit and believed in the innate desire of humans to be free to grow and build on their dreams. Poor from all over flocked to her shores to take part in the dream...

A few reminders about fireworks, taken from the warning labels: 1. Do not hold in hand. This is apparently so nonintuitive it must be stamped on every item; you must wonder how stupid Chinese factory workers think we are: What else do we need to tell these idiots? Also, do not put in pants. Do not sleep with lit fireworks. Do not juggle. 2. Place on level surface. This one mystified us in North Dakota, a land so flat it made the gentle rolling hills of Iowa look like a brutal Himalayan range. Daddy, what does that mean? Well, it's...

The MSM will try to ignore the Tea Party aspect, but it will be the dominant news story, so let's show these SOB's that the Tea Parties are not a passing fad.

Excerpt from John Adams' famous letter of July 3, 1776, in which he wrote to his wife Abigail what his thoughts were about celebrating the Fourth of July: "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It 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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think...

July 01, 2005, George W's Quagmire Different war, same old complaints. By Michael Graham PHILADELPHIA, THE AMERICAN COLONIES, JULY 4, 1776 — Leaders of the self-described "American patriots" movement gathered in this Pennsylvania city today to sign an official declaration of their political intentions, despite widespread criticism of a failing war policy and complaints that their military action was launched under false pretenses. "Here it is, July of 1776, and George W. and his lackeys are just now getting around to declaring what this war is supposedly all about?" complained Loyalist playwright Michael LeMoore. "Washington and his neo-congressionalists rushed us...

Several reporters from The New York Times board the Q train at DeKalb Avenue during the morning rush and marvel at the diversity of the 128 passengers in a single subway car and see “all the homelands, all the ages, all the professions” that comprise “New York City in the summer of 2008.”The Stiletto offers her own tribute to our nation’s diversity on this, the 232nd anniversary of our Declaration of Independence from monarchal tyranny – especially the diverse ways in which we choose to pursue happiness (or not) - with this collection of articles: † Couch Potatoes (and those...

The Nugent family celebrates Independence Day every day of the year. If you spend as much time as we do sharing campfires, both literally and figuratively, with the hero warriors of the United States Military, you can’t help but deeply appreciate and absolutely cherish the freedoms and liberties so unique here in America that is guaranteed us by the sacrifices made by these amazing, courageous men and women. Working for years now with various charities dedicated to wounded military heroes, we get to see first hand their battle scarred bodies, mutilated and missing limbs, burned flesh and horrible injuries of...

On this Fourth of July of our discontent — with spiraling fuel prices, a sluggish economy, a weak dollar, mounting foreign and domestic debt, continuing costs in Iraq, a falling stock market, and a mortgage crisis — we should remember two truths about America. First, the United States remains the most free and affluent country in the history of civilization. Second, almost all our problems are lapses of complacency, remain relatively easily correctable, and pale in comparison to past crises. By almost any barometer, the United States remains the most fortunate country in the world. We continue to be the...

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that...

A Vietnam vet friend of mine argues that maintaining a democracy requires three things: a passion for freedom, tolerance for diversity and intolerance for threats. A letter from a reader, responding to a column on Iraq's struggling democracy, suggested I write about the United States' own tortuous path -- sketching a nation that began with limited voting rights and confronted powerful factions, ethnic animosities, urban riot, rural rebellion and destructive civil war. The reader thought America's saga might help the public "understand that this democracy thing is hard." Hard indeed. Mull my friend's threefold guidance, and you'll find tricky paradox...

We invite ALL Americans to join us for the Celebration Event of the Year!!! When: JULY 4th, 2008!!! Where: CAMP VIGILANCE, Boulevard, CA Event Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Border Watch: For Patriots Who Wish To Stay, There Will Be A Weekend Border Watch -July 5th & 6th!! The Unity of Groups: The event is sponsored by California Coalition for Immigration Reform, Save Our State, The Minuteman Corps of CA Inc, The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps of CA, The San Diego Minutemen, The Escondido Minuteman Brigade, The Antelope Valley Minutemen and others!!!!! July 4th festivities will include guest speakers,...

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – President George W. Bush will attend the July 4 event at Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson, the White House has announced. Bush will be the featured speaker at Monticello’s 46th annual Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony. He will become the fourth sitting president to participate in Independence Day activities at Monticello, joining Franklin D. Roosevelt (1936), Harry S. Truman (1947), and Gerald R. Ford (1976). “We are truly honored to have President Bush as our featured speaker on July 4, and regard it as a great compliment that he has chosen to spend part of the...

The nation's capital is expected Tuesday to consider an emergency plan to ban fireworks before the Fourth of July weekend. The plan is being proposed by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, a Democrat, and is drawing mixed reaction among the city's 13 council members. "I hear complaints all the time," said D.C. Council member Jim Graham, a Ward 1 Democrat who worked with the mayor on the bill. "July Fourth and few days before and a few days after, [fireworks] are going off all night." Some residents on Monday were more expressive. "It's dangerous for kids," said John McCall, of Northeast....

<p>It's not the original, but flags once again hang from San Jose's Cathedral of Faith. People donated replacements after hearing thieves made off with the church's whopping 20-by-35-foot American flag, which hangs from the building to mark important occasions. Those include honoring Pearl Harbor survivors, mourning the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and celebrating the Fourth of July.</p>

Click here to visit a great web site about John Philip Sousa - American Composer, Conductor & Patriot Biography - MIDI and MP3 Music Files

On July 4, 1776, America's Founders declared the country's independence from Britain, largely as a revolt against excessive and unfair taxation. So in our nation, which is much more overtaxed than it was over two centuries ago, it would be fitting if, in recognition of our Founding principles, federal, state and local governments made July Fourth a totally tax-free day. Many cities already suspend sales taxes for a few days a year on items such as clothing and school supplies, usually to garner the favor of overtaxed parents struggling to raise kids and to give mom and pop an incentive...

1) History matters: Americans enjoy a national ethic and legal framework that promotes justice, freedom and equality Every country has its demons. Germans have Nazism, France has Algeria, The Netherlands and Portugal have their globe-trotting imperialistic exploits, and Japan has the rape and pillage of nearly half the Asian continent, and those are just the obvious ones. America, from slavery to Japanese internment, has her share as well. But what sets America apart is that we have a national identify, codified in our Constitution and integral to our founding. It says that every single one of America's worst mistakes are...

In 1975 the United States Postal Service issued a stamp honoring a man named Haym Salomon for his contribution to the cause of the American Revolution. This stamp was uniquely printed on the front and the back. On the glue side of the stamp, the following words were printed in pale, green ink: "Financial Hero – Businessman and broker Haym Salomon was responsible for raising most of the money needed to finance the American Revolution and later to save the new nation from collapse." I personally have one of these stamps. Historians who have studied the story of Salomon all...

These great images (just click on the link above or in my next post) are featured by Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden's (and Scandinavia's?) leading Conservative newspaper, based in Stockholm. Even though this paper is more US friendly than many other Swedish papers, it's not the only Swedish media that pays attention to this special day in a respectful manner. In several areas (industry, military cooperation, science and research for instance) the US is a close ally and partner to Sweden. Let's hope things will remain this way. Long live The United States of America!!

I was confident the New York Times would find a way to pour cold water on the Fourth of July. Still, turning to it this morning, I was curious to see just what kind of wet [with that cold water]blanket the Times would throw on our national holiday. And the Grey Lady didn't disappoint, with a sour, melancholy editorial viewing America through the eyes of other countries -- and naturally finding us wanting. Looking Outward on the Fourth begins with a lament over "these very difficult times, four years deep into a war that has turned much of the world...

"Our Lives, Our Fortunes, Our Sacred Honor" It was a glorious morning. The sun was shining and the wind was from the southeast. Up especially early, a tall bony, redheaded young Virginian found time to buy a new thermometer, for which he paid three pounds, fifteen shillings. He also bought gloves for Martha, his wife, who was ill at home. Thomas Jefferson arrived early at the statehouse. The temperature was 72.5 degrees and the horseflies weren't nearly so bad at that hour. It was a lovely room, very large, with gleaming white walls. The chairs were comfortable. Facing the single...

"What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud,...

The Northern Colorado support our troops group is getting ready for the 4th of July event in Greeley, Colorado again.

Let's Celebrate Our Independence!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!  Something to think about this 4th of July... Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?...

Every year my family celebrates the 4th of July attending a large picnic at our swim club. I have been coming to this club since I was a child and often see old friends I haven’t seen in years at this function. When I was younger and my children were smaller it was also a local family reunion hosted my either my sister or myself as we were the only members after my parents past away. It is one of the most fun family oriented occasions one could ask for complete with sack and egg races, softball games, and cannonball...

WASHINGTON (AFP) - It's a true epidemic: the red, white and blue, stars-and-stripes banners are everywhere in the United States - on house facades, front lawns, cars and clothes. Hitting an high point on the July 4 US Independence Day holiday, it is a genuine phenomenon of American national pride that, inevitably, gets a good but also sometimes unwanted boost from commercial exploitation. "It's a little strange, this obsession of the flag," French author Bernard-Henri Levy wrote after traveling across the country. "Everywhere, in every form, flapping in the wind or on stickers, an epidemic of flags that has spread...

Americans today celebrate a republic founded gloriously 230 years ago on the rights of the individual. In majesty and genius, Thomas Jefferson and his rebellious compatriots declared a new nation's independence with words of enduring inspiration: 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. Self-evident? Yes, self-evident to the wise men who gathered in Philadelphia, but not to many others of that day and not to many who have followed. We Americans have...

ADDRESS AT A GATHERING OF AMERICANS IN LONDON, JULY 4, 1872 MR. CHAIRMAN AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,--I thank you for the compliment which has just been tendered me, and to show my appreciation of it I will not afflict you with many words. It is pleasant to celebrate in this peaceful way, upon this old mother soil, the anniversary of an experiment which was born of war with this same land so long ago, and wrought out to a successful issue by the devotion of our ancestors. It has taken nearly a hundred years to bring the English and Americans...

Click here to visit a great web site about John Philip Sousa - American Composer, Conductor & Patriot Biography - MIDI and MP3 Music Files

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm a sadist. Sometimes I like to wander over to Daily Kos and Democratic Underground and see what the wacky liberals are saying. As you know, America, the greatest country on God's green earth, will celebrate its 230th birthday tomorrow. And here's what liberals have to say about it today. I believe it's against FR policy to direct links to DU and Kos, but I've cut and paste these quotes without any editing. DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND "America, America, God shed His grace on thee...what a ridiculous song" - Philosoraptor "the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in...

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Florida (CNN) -- Engineers on Monday are closely scrutinizing a small crack in insulation on space shuttle's fuel tank as NASA continues to prepare for a Tuesday launch. NASA deputy manager John Shannon said foam that cracked covers a bracket that connects the liquid oxygen feedline to shuttle Discovery's external fuel tank. When engineers went to inspect it, they pinched off a .0057-pound, 3- inch piece of foam. Even so, Shannon said, had that piece fallen off during launch it wouldn't have damaged the orbiter. The crack was discovered during an inspection Sunday evening, and is 4-...

Your editorial ''Ill-starred flag amendment would do nation no good'' [June 21] was thoughtful, well-reasoned and timely. July Fourth will be the 230th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That declaration outlined noble ideals and universal rights such as ''life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'' Unfortunately, in 230 years, the United States has never lived up to those simple ideals. Most of the grievances listed against King George are as valid against President George. President George is undermining the American Constitution and ideals at home while tyrannically imposing his aberrant beliefs on innocent people abroad. As...

Wednesday July 4, 2001 Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Reading (Isaiah 57:15-19) Gospel (St. John 14:23-29) Today, as our country takes time to celebrate Independence Day we need to ask ourselves what this really means. For most Americans, we think of "independence" as meaning "I can do whatever I want. I am not dependent on anyone." Unfortunately, in the minds of many Americans these days that includes God. We think, somehow, that we are not dependent on God and that "freedom" means we do not have to follow any rules, we can make our own rules, and we can do...

Americans will celebrate Independence Day with food, fireworks and fun, and the U.S. Census Bureau is keeping track of the numbers. Here’s some Holiday trivia from the bureau: 1776 296.5 MILLION Projected number of U.S. residents on this July 4th. Back in July 1776, there were about 2.5 million people living in the colonies. (2005 population from unpublished data; 1776 population from Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970.) THE FOURTH OF JULY COOKOUT 150 MILLION Number of hot dogs (all varieties) expected to be consumed by Americans on the Fourth. (That’s one frankfurter for every two...

Surprise! No 4th of July graphics at Google. They must have been really encouraged by the flak they got on Memorial Day.

DAD, WHAT's UNABHANGKEITSTAG "Is that when the thirteen colonies broke away from England?" My ten year inquired out of nowhere at 6 AM German time this morning. "Yeah, why do you want to know, eat your breakfast," I mumbled, too sleepy to be very curious. "Because I am afraid my teacher will ask me, since I am wearing this T-shirt and I'm the only American in the class." With an effort, I adjusted my gaze upward to his white T-shirt. It was brand new. Prominent on his breast was an image of the flag and below that: OLD NAVY FREEDOM...

Click here to visit a great web site about John Philip Sousa - American Composer, Conductor & Patriot Biography - MIDI and MP3 Music Files

What does the Fourth of July mean to contemporary Americans? For many it means a day off from work and little more. To others it means an opportunity to "party," roast hot dogs, drink beer and watch fireworks. But to the Founders of our nation, it meant far more. Upon the completion of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Samuel Adams, known as the "Father of the American Revolution" said, "We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun,...

The FReeper Canteen celebrates ~~~~~~~~~~~ Independence Day ~~~~~~~~~~~ July 4, 2005   The Declaration of IndependenceIN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. A DECLARATION By the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,  In GENERAL CONGRESS assembled When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the...

For most people, the Fourth of July means a welcomed day away from the workplace, a time to grill out with family and friends and perhaps take in the various fireworks displays and other activities that are held in conjunction with the holiday. But, most importantly, all Americans should take a moment to pause and reflect what this day is really all about. The Declaration of Independence – the reason for the July Fourth observance – was adopted on the same date in 1776. It is a political statement based on a religious premise: "We hold these truths to be...

Top 5 Myths About the Fourth of July! By HNN Staff #1 Independence Was Declared on the Fourth of July. America's independence was actually declared by the Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. The night of the second the Pennsylvania Evening Post published the statement: "This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States." So what happened on the Glorious Fourth? The document justifying the act of Congress-you know it as Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence-was adopted on the fourth, as is indicated on the document itself, which is, one supposes, the cause for all the...