Independence Day, 2013
On July 4th the nation will commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence which declared American independence from Great Britain in 1776.
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and the recognition of the nation's veterans.
I'm not sure the Founding Fathers would have envisioned the sequestration atmosphere that might result in the cancellation of some federally funded fireworks displays and musical concerts.
Sequestration aside, the Founding Fathers would likely not have envisioned quite a bit over how America has evolved some 237 Fourths of July later.
What would Thomas Jefferson say? Do you understand the partisan political gridlock that so permeates our government today? Yes, I do.
After all, we mostly designed it that way.
Or the expensive, ongoing need for vigilance and preparedness when it comes to our national security? (Sniff, then slight grin).
Surely you recollect our struggles with the Brits.
Or the national debt of $16 trillion? Beg your pardon? Sixteen what? What about a flag with 50 stars? (Smile).
Well done! Very well done, indeed.
Or the patriotic displays and the honor paid to the nation's veterans? Of course.
And proper homage to Gen.
Washington and his brave soldiers, I would hope.
Or a peaceful crowd of 45,000 attending a baseball game and enjoying hot dogs and cold beer? Large, peaceful crowds? Yeah, okay, I suppose so.
Baseball? Is it a game of skill or strength? Hot dogs and cold beer? What's a hot dog? But if it goes well with beer, sure, pass one down.
Mustard? Why not.
Relish? Perhaps not.
Is there no French wine? Is that my friend Samuel Adams' picture on that bottle of beer? What about a 10 kilometer Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta that draws over 60,000 participants, making it the largest such event in the world? 60,000 people? Where do they all come from? Do large numbers of them get trampled? Where are the horses kept? What about the popularity of Duck Dynasty? I'm not familiar with such a family.
Whereabouts in Europe is this dynasty? Austria? Hungary? Or could it be Russian? Or in possibly removing "In God We Trust" from the currency? (Long, confused stare).
Has God somehow been discovered to be untrustworthy? What about the corruption of so many of our public officials? (Loud laugh).
So then, put "In Man We Trust" on your currency and see if that helps.
John Adams and I used to say, "What you see is what you get.
" That is to say, if you elect a scoundrel, you get a scoundrel.
It's not complicated.
The more things change...
Happy July 4th to all.
And thanks to those courageous Founding Fathers.
Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and the recognition of the nation's veterans.
I'm not sure the Founding Fathers would have envisioned the sequestration atmosphere that might result in the cancellation of some federally funded fireworks displays and musical concerts.
Sequestration aside, the Founding Fathers would likely not have envisioned quite a bit over how America has evolved some 237 Fourths of July later.
What would Thomas Jefferson say? Do you understand the partisan political gridlock that so permeates our government today? Yes, I do.
After all, we mostly designed it that way.
Or the expensive, ongoing need for vigilance and preparedness when it comes to our national security? (Sniff, then slight grin).
Surely you recollect our struggles with the Brits.
Or the national debt of $16 trillion? Beg your pardon? Sixteen what? What about a flag with 50 stars? (Smile).
Well done! Very well done, indeed.
Or the patriotic displays and the honor paid to the nation's veterans? Of course.
And proper homage to Gen.
Washington and his brave soldiers, I would hope.
Or a peaceful crowd of 45,000 attending a baseball game and enjoying hot dogs and cold beer? Large, peaceful crowds? Yeah, okay, I suppose so.
Baseball? Is it a game of skill or strength? Hot dogs and cold beer? What's a hot dog? But if it goes well with beer, sure, pass one down.
Mustard? Why not.
Relish? Perhaps not.
Is there no French wine? Is that my friend Samuel Adams' picture on that bottle of beer? What about a 10 kilometer Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta that draws over 60,000 participants, making it the largest such event in the world? 60,000 people? Where do they all come from? Do large numbers of them get trampled? Where are the horses kept? What about the popularity of Duck Dynasty? I'm not familiar with such a family.
Whereabouts in Europe is this dynasty? Austria? Hungary? Or could it be Russian? Or in possibly removing "In God We Trust" from the currency? (Long, confused stare).
Has God somehow been discovered to be untrustworthy? What about the corruption of so many of our public officials? (Loud laugh).
So then, put "In Man We Trust" on your currency and see if that helps.
John Adams and I used to say, "What you see is what you get.
" That is to say, if you elect a scoundrel, you get a scoundrel.
It's not complicated.
The more things change...
Happy July 4th to all.
And thanks to those courageous Founding Fathers.
Source...