Text 20933, 108 rader
Skriven 2006-07-04 08:17:05 av John Hull (1:123/789.0)
Ärende: Not just another day off
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Today is the most important day in American history.  Its a day that we should
be celebrating - not as another day off of work, or because we get a four day
weekend - but because we owe a profound debt to all those who have put their
lives on the line over the last couple hundred years plus to ensure that this
nation not only survives but thrives, and holds to the ideals that it was
founded on.

Joseph Farah is the editor of World Net Daily, the most visited online news
website on the internet.  Significantly, he is an American of Arab descent. 
His commentary on this day is worth reading...
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The meaning of independence

Posted: July 4, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Joseph Farah
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© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com


independence: freedom from control or influence of another or others

Today is July 4, 2006.

It has been 230 years since the drafting and signing of the Declaration of
Independence by America's founders.

That's why some of us – too few, really – call the holiday we commemorate today
"Independence Day." That is, indeed, the actual name of the holiday.

It's not just the Fourth of July. It's not just the day we shoot off
Chinese-made fireworks. It's not just the day we barbecue burgers. It's not
just the day we go to the beach. It's Independence Day – so named because on or
about this date in 1776, a group of courageous men risked their lives, their
fortunes and their sacred honor for a dream of freedom and sweet autonomy from
an imperial power.


By the way, it wasn't just the birth date of American freedom. It was the birth
date of freedom around the world. That's why the French called George
Washington not just the founding father of the American Revolution, but "the
father of freedom." He was truly the inspiration for freedom fighters
everywhere.

We ought to mark this occasion with some real reflection – even some solemnity
and sobriety.

Unfortunately, too few Americans today put much value in independence. Most no
longer celebrate, cherish or appreciate independence. Independence is not
considered an ideal.

It's no accident. Our political and cultural elite don't want to see a nation
full of independent-minded, self-governing citizens who will hold their leaders
accountable to their will and the laws of the land. They would prefer sheep.

That's why you will hear so many of them preach about the value of living in an
"interdependent" world. Have you heard that? " Interdependence" – this is
considered a good thing. Keep in mind every time you hear that word
"interdependence" glorified and revered that interdependence is simply a
synonym for "dependence."

It has nothing to do with "independence" – that thing for which our founders
risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.

The sad truth is the American dream of independence has been betrayed.
Americans are worse off today, in terms of individual freedom, than they were
before the War of Independence. In fact, take a look at the dictionary
definition of "colony" and see if it doesn't apply to us today.

colony: 1) a group of people who settle in a distant land but remain under the
political jurisdiction of their native land 2) a territory distant from the
state having jurisdiction or control over it

Aren't Americans, in a sense, all colonists of the great imperial throne in the
District of Columbia? We all pay tribute to this faraway empire. We are, in
reality, little more than serfs doing the bidding of those in the federal
corridors of power in Washington. We're taxed without real representation.
We're forced to support a growing standing army of federal police in our
communities. And we face a growing threat of disarmament – one of the great
fears of the colonists who touched off the American Revolution at Lexington and
Concord.

What do you think?

Are we better off today that our forefathers were in 1776?

Are we living freer lives today than were the founders?

If George Washington and Thomas Jefferson could return today to see America –
the tax rates, the overreaching central government, the subservience of states
to Washington, the non-limitations on the federal government – would they
consider us free? Would they consider us independent?

Is American sovereignty and independence still worth a fight?

What are you willing to risk? What are you willing to sacrifice today in the
name of freedom and independence?

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