Posted by
David Van Edema on Thursday, July 02, 2009 9:47:13 PM
Independence Day is right around the corner. In just a couple of day's time as of this writing, we'll be witnessing all manner of festivities. Their will be picnics, barbeques, parades, carnivals, patriotic political speeches, and the main event... fireworks displays. That is, if they haven't been banned in your particular city already.
I can't help but wonder, however, how many of the flag-waving, fireworks-shooting revelers actually understand exactly what they're celebrating, particularly the younger ones.
My mind keeps going back to the "man on the street" type interviews that I've seen (and read) some time ago, when a reporter would ask random Americans why we celebrate the Fourth of July.
Few young Americans could even answer that it was to celebrate our independence, and when they were asked who we won our independence from, the answers were cringe-inducing.
Germany, Japan, Mexico, the Soviet Union, France, Vietnam and even Canada were some the answers given. I recall only one semi-correct answer being given; Great Britain. The answer is technically England, but I'll accept Great Britain.
It makes me wonder just what exactly our public (or should I say, government) schools are teaching our kids. It sure as hell isn't American history. However, I bet they can name every atrocity that early America has committed against the "Native Americans", and are able to tell you all about the "American concentration camps" during WWII.
When I look back through history, it's amazing to me how far we have fallen from our ideals from the time that we won our independence. I look at New England, particularly my home state of Massachusetts, and it astounds me that the citizens of this region, which was once at the forefront of the fight for independence from a once oppressive, foreign government, are so eager to rush into the arms of governments, both federal and state, that want to oppress them again, this time under the guise of them doing "what's best for them". They have gone from declaring "no taxation without representation" to endorsing tax... after tax... after tax.
How did America, as a whole, get to the point that we've openly embraced a man like Barack Obama who, in his own book (Dreams of My Father), admitted that he sought the companionship of Marxist and Socialist students and professors, whose views are the very antithesis of our founding father's beliefs, because he felt that he "didn't fit in"? You can say all you want that we've all done crazy things in college, but obviously, Obama's friend's ideals have stuck with him.
When you observe the Independence Day revelers this weekend, think of how many of them voted for the "change we can believe in". Wonder how many actually understand what Independence Day is about. If you have kids, ask them if they learned from school what it means. Their answers, or lack of them, may shock and depress you. Or, who knows... maybe they'll surprise you and actually get it right. If you're feeling really brave, ask someone who you know to be an Obama supporter what Independence Day means.
Please understand that I did not write this for the purpose of depressing you or spoiling your holiday fun. I myself will be spending the 4th with my family (who do understand what the holiday means). My intent here is simply to make you think, and to look at the holiday with a different eye than you may have in the past.
For those of you who understand the significance of Independence Day, enjoy your weekend, and please be especially careful (and patient) on the roads out there after the fireworks are over. There'll be a lot of people out in the street that are just begging to get run over.
And if that fuse on your firecracker looks too short, for heaven's sake, don't light it. I don't want any of you to wind up in the emergency room this year, or worse.