We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Our current administration, if I may remind you, would classify most of these statements as right-wing extremism.

"With a firm Reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Those great men didn't care about inconvenience, danger, standing in the community, or even fear of loss. They laid everything on the line for freedom. Can we say the same of any of our so-called leaders today? But there were many dark times during the Revolution, and defeat seemed only days away. The resolve of the patriots of 1776 kept them going through their darkest hours. As dark as things seem right now, I think that spirit still exists in the hearts of the majority of Americans. And when I see Old Glory flying proudly, even here in the leftist bastion of San Francisco, I am encouraged. America is still the greatest nation on the face of the earth, we will fight the creeping loss of freedoms from Washington DC, and we will prevail, so help us God.

Last night at the 4th of the July celebration at our local rural park, we gathered with other neighbors and community folk that we didn't know or haven't met yet. It was a friendly and diverse crowd as we live in the south. A friend brought 40 refugees from Tibet and India with her to the party. As we talked I thought I heard the muted sounds of our national anthem being sung. I looked across the soccer and baseball fields toward the stand where the DJ booth was. Sure enough as the woman sang (I don't know who she was) the crowd quieted. Soon people stopped talking and we could clearly hear the words. I stopped what I was doing and faced that side of the field and placed my hand over my heart. My husband saw what I did and he stopped talking and took his hat off. So did our friends. Some sang quietly, but most (not all) but most of the crowd respectfully stood still with the hands over their hearts and listened until the end when a shout and applause went up all over the fields. This gave me hope that there are still people who believe in our country and values. No one saw it, but I was crying. I cry every time I hear the national anthem and think of what the men and women who came before us did so that we could party on this day and feel safe. It was a wonderful time and the fireworks were great. Good times spent with good friends and neighbors. Hope everyone here has a safe and happy holiday!

If we want to survive and to rebuild our great nation along the lines of the Founding Father, then we have to go back to the ancient paths. We have to rediscover the principles and values that made us great. Ad Fonte – back to the source – was the cry of the Reformation and it should now be the cry of the conservative movement. We should go back to the founding documents and the founding philosophies that worked rather than embracing the progressive experimentation that has never worked.

Mr. Obama and anyone who promotes government as the solution to all of our problems is promoting nothing but a false messiah. Their goal is not the liberation of the individual but the enslavement. Let us not go gentle into the darkness but rage against the dying of the light by rekindling the flames of liberty from the spark and fodder of 1776.

I think you are right. Perhaps my "few glimmers" was a little gloomy. One of my greatest hopes is that many in the younger generation will reject this emptiness and return to the things of value.

Yes, and they are turned off when we are too negative. I, too, see what you see, be assured. Have a great rest of day.

Fear, not, Jake.

Just do the *right* thing.

Phthalo,

I, too, cry everytime I hear the National Anthem. I'm a singer of sorts and have been asked to sing it several times. I have always declined for two reasons: (1) I'm really not comfortable as a soloist (I can suck it up an sing solo if required, but it's just not my cup of tea) and (2) I know I'll break down and cry and, therefore, be unable to finish the song.

Today, I heard it sung by a young lady of 12 or 13 at our local TEA Party. She changed keys in the middle (noticably and not very smoothly) so that she could hit the high notes at the end in full belt voice. Even so, I was in tears and unable to speak at the end, much less sing along. I was sitting, amongst friends, next to my friend Bernardo who is from Chile and only recently (last year?) became a citizen of the USA. He seemed touched to see me so emotional and said, "That's so good that you still feel that way." It is my hope that we all will feel the depth of emotion and love of country that nearly-impossible-to-sing tune brings to you and me.

My Dad was a "Depression era" baby born into a large Irish-German family that made their living as plumbers. Dad went to Korea, college and law school. He defended doctors and hospitals. He loved being a husband and a Dad to his four children. When he made it to partner, he bought a Cadillac and he always voted Republican.

Thanks, America. I hope you can still offer opportunity to my kids. They're working on it.