Blog Nr. 13

We are preparing to celebrate the occassion of this great nation's birth----the 4th of July.

Too many people either don't know why we celebrate or have forgotten the true meaning of what occurred these many years ago. Or worse yet, they just don't care.

This nation was brought into existence because of many reasons. I am not enough of a scholar to understand most of the "whys" but I (as always) have my ideas.

Pre-revolution days were tough--I can't begin to know the hardships that our settlers were undergoing. Can you think of not having the Internet? TV? Air-conditioning? McDonald's?
How did they do it??? What a hard life!! (By the way, do you realize these settlers were the first "illegal immigrants----but that's another story),

One thing these settlers had that we do not have in the USA today was OPPRESSION.

The settlers were taxed beyond belief. Laws prohibited many freedoms we have today. It was a crummy way to live.

So why did a group of Patriots finally say "Enough is enough"?? Was it Divinely inspired? Was it greed? Did these Patriots think the wealth of this great country should be available only to themselves? Who Knows???? But, as always, I have an opinion.

I think these settlers just decided that they could run their own shop. The felt they did not need the strength of this oppressive nation (England) that was ruling them. It took a lot of chutzpah/courage/cajones for these settlers to take on King George and his crew. Tremendous sacrifices had to be undertaken by everyone. Not everyone wanted to undertake this effort--they liked the status quo--they felt a degree of loyalty to Old George and his crowd.Some of them were probably just too lazy to get off their duffs and put in the effort required.

Anyway, history tells us what happened. The settlers (I will now refer to them as PATRIOTS) sacrificed much but they overcame the powerful King George and his crew. The next 200+ years saw the entire world change because of these Patriots.

My family has traced our ancestors back to pre-revolution. Some of my distant relatives were Patriots. To them, I humble myself and say "Thanks".

On the 4th of July we should celebrate the efforts of these Patriots.....we are the Greatest Nation of Earth. Are we perfect??? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! But we ARE THE BEST!!

We celebrate by making noise, barbecuing hamburgers and wave flags. While you are doing all that I ask only one thing-----don't set off firecrackers near me..........the sounds of all the fireworks brings to me very bad feelings. And they scare the hell out of my dogs!!!!!!!!