Right now I'm just thinking about how thankful I am for the political decision our "Founding Fathers" made more than 200 years ago to formally declare the independence of this nation, laying out the reasons why they could no longer tolerate their colonial master, King George. In the process, and later in the Constitution, they cited principles that were new to the world, ones that are still a high standard of governance.
It saddens me that so many celebrants militarize the Fourth of July, making it an opportunity to honor the military, celebrate past wars, etc. Those conflicts, and the people who fought in them, are properly celebrated at Memorial Day. Independence Day celebrates a courageous and bold political move, not a victory in battle (though there have been plenty of subsequent battles to preserve our independence and the concepts we cherish).
And, of course, for too many it has no more significance than a summer holiday with BBQ, boating and fireworks. That's sad, too.
We've been through a hard time, a time when our cherished freedoms have been questioned, sacrificed for expediency's sake, neglected in the din of partisan bickering. I hope we are on a new path toward reaffirming the principles in our foundation documents. They're still the best ever devised by humans. TV
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