Freedom Isn't Cheap and Never Was: July 4th

[Mister Moo]

Our founders risked everything to gain for themselves, their families and posterity a chance for self-determination. Self-determination isn't freedom; it's what lets you select freedom from the other options. Should you ever fail to speak or fail to act when your liberty or your nation is in peril you have made a choice. The founders risked their necks so we would have the opportunity to risk ours if times demanded - not so we could slide by and watch someone else shoulder the burden. I cringe at a disconnected government with so few of their children in service. Your politics might have you laugh at John Kerry or George Bush BUT they both signed up and put their hides on the line, whatever the reasons. While my own son talks a very good "conservative" he rejected military service - he isn't fully invested in the cost of his own freedom of speech and I find that distressing.

It was John Adams prayer that the 4th of July would be a day to celebrate and have parades but, too, it's a time to consider where your freedom came from and, more important, how easily it can evaporate. I bid you all a healthy, happy and safe holiday wherever you are in this world and whatever your politics. I hope each of us finds a moment over a cigar, pipe, hotdog, lemonade, beer or mojito to reflect on the miracle of reaching the 21st century with most of our republic intact. What we leave for, or deny, our children and grandchildren is up to us.





December 23, 1776 "THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."

- Thomas Paine

[stanthetaxman]

Beautiful words. Thank you. And liberty for all!

[darkninja67]

Nice post.
Someone bless America, may it see better times ahead.

[commonsenseman]

Thanks Mister Moo.

Very true words, there are many sunshine patriots among us. It is troubling at the very least how people seem to be able to ignore certain things. I pray that many will stand up to the "soft tyranny", that is currently threatening this great nation.

Happy 4th everyone.

[dj1340]

Lately it seems that the few are fighting for the many, on many aspects of our freedom. People don't vote and then complain about the elected officials. They don't vote and their smoking rights are being taken away, more complaints.
It seems the alot of people have become incessant whiners but never do anything about it.

[Hermit]

Self-determination??
That's so "last year."

[madurolover]

Excellent post Dan.

[SMOKE20]

Very good post