MuppetsRule
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The 4th of July isn't about celebrating hate, bigotry and prejudice. And the country doesn't embrace such feelings. It condemns them. Those qualities have always existed here, and every other part of the world. It's part of human nature to fear those that are different. But as a country, throughout our history, we have overcome those differences. It may not seem like it but we are still a united country. We are just going through a dark period. We've gone through seemingly divided periods before. But the thing that's great is that the country always finds a way to bounce back.As my town prepares for 4th of July celebrations this year, I have decided that I will not be observing or celebrating the day this year, because this is no longer the United States of America, the America I was taught to love and respect as I was growing up, which is a land of freedom and justice, where people are free to be who they are and what they are; instead, it has become a divided nation filled with hate, bigotry, and prejudices - all of which are things that should not be celebrated, nor should a country that now chooses to embrace such.
Does our Country have it's problems? Yes, it absolutely does. Is it
the Greatest Nation in the History of the World? Yes, I believe it
absolutely is. Is that arrogant? Maybe so. So be it. I'm not going to apologize for being American and proud of my country.
Instead of not celebrating the 4th, take the time to read the document that started this thing. Put yourself in the place of these men who drafted the Declaration of Independence and who effectively signed their death warrants with their signatures at the bottom.
Of all the under dog long shots in the history of the world, these
guys took the cake. They were a bunch of rag tag cast offs and
opportunity seekers who finally said they'd had enough. Enough that
they declared in writing the most serious step you can take against
a country. Not to mention the country happened to be the mightiest
nation in the world at that time.
Every time I think I'm doing something pretty gutsy, I'm reminded of
that sentence "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."
Addressing this document to the leader of the strongest military in
the world at that time and telling him that this little bunch of colonies
now declares they have the power to "levy War" against them is one
of the all time gutsy moves.
And throughout our country's history, we've seen brave and gutsy acts to defend our liberties and independence. From the patriots of the Revolutionary War, to the brave souls who fought in the Civil War, to those that fought in the World Wars, to those that fought in Korea and Vietnam and to those that continue that fight today so that we may enjoy our freedoms & liberties not only on the 4th but everyday. So no, I'm not going to be embarrassed about our country. I'll be celebrating all that which it stands for.
Happy 4th of July to you and yours and may God Bless America.