july 4, 2007

Two hundred, thirty-one years ago, fifty-six brave men pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to a country they, themselves, created and founded by the approving of the Declaration of Independence. I say “approving” as the actual document itself was not signed until almost a month later on August second. These were men from all professions, all backgrounds, and all ages, and they all agreed that the tyrannical rule of King George III of Great Britain had finally become too opressive, too damaging… just too much, and it was high time for it to end – at least in the colonies. They painstakingly outlined and explained twent-six crimes the King committed against his subjects, and basically told the British to piss off… In slightly more appropriate language. Over the coming years, some of these men went on to be Presidents, Vice Presidents, Representatives, Senators, Justices to the Supreme Court, governors, state legislators, judges, founders of universities, and, unfortunately, casualties in the Revolutionary War. We owe them a debt we have no way of repaying, and some days I wonder what they would think of what we have made of our country.
Regardless, have a happy and safe Fourth, and enjoy the fireworks. I sincerely wish I could go dispose of some low-quality gunpowder myself, but the People’s Republic of Kalifornistan does not permit that kind of frivolity. Go figure. And, in the midst of your cook-outs, parties, get-togethers, and fireworks, take a moment to remember those fifty-six individuals, and what they were willing to put on the line for our country. And then take a moment to think about the millions of men and women, the world around, who are serving our country today, and ensuring that the way of life first set into motion by those fifty-six men is maintained and defended against all enemies.
And if you want an interesting read, check out Rick Moran’s “liveblogging” of the Continental Congress. To say that man has a gift would be putting it mildly.