Open Left

Fair enough (0.00 / 0)

My point was that we don't do much in the way of focusing on what the day is about (that is not unique to any particular holiday.)  If we get past the fireworks and barbecue, we often just lionize the people at the top (who did not make the Revolution, they were only a part of it.)  

But there are larger lessons here, that are obscured when we fail to focus on what independence was about.  It's not just about our country, it's about each one of us (which is Paul's excellent point), and about people around the globe - who have every right to self-determination that our political ancestors had (which was the point of my quick hit from yesterday). Merely using the name Independence Day rather than 4th of July is a small step - thinking and talking about what independence is about today, for all of us, is the key.  This series is helping making that happen. There seems to be a lot of this going on in the blogosphere.  

Who are the best keepers of the people's liberties? The people themselves. The sacred trust can be no where so safe as in the hands most interested in preserving it.
James Madison

---

by: David Kaib @ Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 12:10:23 PM CDT

[ Parent | ]

No problem, I was just snarking (4.00 / 1)

Although, the irony is that July 2nd was the real independance day, because that's when the decision to declare independance was voted on. The 4th was when the DoI was signed, which at that point was more ceremonial than substantive. So the name of this holiday is wrong in at least 2 ways! Hell, so is Presidents' Day, which isn't the birthday of either of the 2 presidents' birthdays celebrated. And why is Veterans' Day, which was originally Armistice Day, commemorating the end of WWI, still known as such, since all WWI veterans are probably long since gone? Shouldn't it be combined with Memorial Day?

Also, shouldn't we be celebrating the end of both the Revolutionary and Civil wars, certainly both happy days? WWII is more complicated, since it had 2 end dates.

Anyway.

The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25)

---

by: kovie @ Mon Jul 06, 2009 at 15:20:58 PM CDT

[ Parent | ]