7 4TH OF JULY QUICKIES

1. Last night I went to Mana to watch the drag races and they played the national anthem and I was one of a very few spectators who stood, hand over heart, in silence. That’s Hawaii for you. The demographic at the dragstrip was probably equivalent to that of a Nascar event, but I can’t imagine mainland Nascar-ians being so disrespectful. Having said that, I bet a lot of people in the stands are veterans- local people join the military in huge numbers- and (other things being equal) any veteran who chooses to drink his beer and fart during the anthem is more patriotic than a non-veteran who employs reverent posture before sporting events.

2. Click here for an excellent piece about the Declaration of Independence’s context. Excerpts:

What is often forgotten by Americans is that this Declaration alone did not make the American Colonies into a nation. Signed during a time of war, the Declaration of Independence was a public statement that a new nation was emerging if only in the hearts and minds of its’ people.

Contrary to popular belief, the Declaration of Independence was not a formal signing of policy for a new nation but a brave, avant garde attempt to establish revolutionary government.

let us remember the courage inked into every word of the Declaration of Independence. Let us not forget the sacrifices made to stand against British rule and that had the Revolutionary War been lost, that the fifty-six men who signed the document would have been guilty of treason. That crime was punishable by death.

3. Powerline has an interesting essay, THE ETERNAL MEANING OF INDEPENDENCE DAY , the best part of which is the following excerpt from a Calvin Coolidge speech:

About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.

Excuse my French, but that is the fucking money! Click here to read Coolidge’s entire speech.

4.Nasa blew up a comet causing a fantastic explosion. Coincidence? I think not. Serendipity? Maybe.

5. Iowahawk features a Special July 4 Guest Commentary by Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, entitled STOP QUESTIONING MY PATRIOTISM. Click here to read it. An excerpt:

If nothing else, the Fourth of July should prompt all Americans, whether they are an infidel fornicating whore-woman in a Miami strip club or a fresh-faced enlistee in a secret Prague martyr cell, to reflect on the true meaning of ‘patriotism.’ To me, patriotism is not some empty flag-waving gesture, or spouting jingoistic slogans. To me, dissent is the real patriotism. And what could be more patriotic than the ultimate in dissent – bloody jihad against the kufr and their heretic puppets in Baghdad?

Iowahawk is one funny mofo.

6. This link about General Washington shows how crazy it was for the signers to sign. It is kind of a miracle that they, and therefore we, won the war.

7. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!