Independence Day-Happy Birthday USA!

lousubcap

All Americans- you need to pause and read at least the first two and the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence today.  You owe it to yourself and your family.
Off soap-box. 

bgebrent

All in @ lousubcap!!  Stay on the soap box!!  So sick of the pc and lack of recognition of the sacrifices that have been made! Happy 4th!!

TexanOfTheNorth

"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 they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world...

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. 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."

Happy 4th!

lousubcap

@TexanOFTheNorth- thank you for the above.  I thought about that after I had quit for the night.  Anything to at least refresh the history once a year.  Without today, none of the rest happens.  

TexanOfTheNorth

lousubcap said:

@TexanOFTheNorth- thank you for the above.  I thought about that after I had quit for the night.  Anything to at least refresh the history once a year.  Without today, none of the rest happens.  

The last line is the most profound to me. Most of the signers did lose their lives and fortunes as a result of their actions!

NPHuskerFL

Happy Independence Day!  

theyolksonyou

 

Jeepster47

Yes, to one and all, happy 4th of July.

Probably more appropriate for Veterans Day or Memorial Day, but this story is too cool to pass  up sharing: http://www.snopes.com/glurge/nodesks.asp

BYS1981

God Bless America!

lousubcap

Shameless bump for refresher and history purposes.  Happy Birthday USA!

SGH

Happy 4th of July my friends. Keep yourself and your family safe when celebrating and enjoying today's activities. 

MediumRarely

Great posts, great thoughts, great people of the forum!  Some believe the pen is mightier than the sword - and it can be.  Some believe actions speak louder than words - and they can.

I challenge all here to donate their words, energy and/or money to the pursuit of liberty and those who make it possible.  I try to say a prayer every day for those in harms way.  The rest I will keep to myself and rededicate my commitment to do as much as I can.

Son of a WWII Pilot and proud father of a Marine - soon to be an Army Aviator.

TMCCGator

Happy Independence Day to all!  A perfect day to do nothing but watch the temp gauge on my large locked in at 250 with a 14 lb brisket riding the stall out.   And a Maduro Brown Ale to keep me properly hydrated!

lousubcap

The last bump of the 4th-Give @TexanOfTheNorth's post a read (below the initial thread)-worth the time it will take.  FWIW-

Skiddymarker

Happy Birthday USA! (and the A's won - great day all around)

bud812