Happy 250th!

[Mike the Brit]

Wishing all of my American friends a wonderful day.

 

[BobDigital]

Did someone say... America?

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

 

[Tunescribe]

Wishing all of my American friends a wonderful day.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

love it ....thank you !!!

 

[patfanken]

You know, you CAN still be the greatest country in history and STILL have done some pretty horrible things in your past.

You aren't being patriotic by pretending the bad stuff didn't happen. By remembering the mistakes is how we keep from making them again.

Beware those who want to either rewrite or forget our past. They either want you angry, dumb or distracted. The best part about the Constitution is that's it's a participation sport.
We are expected to be an INFORMED electorate. Lately we have not been holding up our end. It takes effort to know the issues and where you stand. AND you will all agree on far more things than you disagree. It seems like too many would abragate our responsibilities as citizens and have someone else make them for us.

Historically, liberal democracies like ours don't usually have long shelf lives. 250 years is quite an accomplishment. Believe me, the next 50 years are NOT guaranteed, even 25...or 2.

Happy 250th. I've seen almost 80 of those years. Pretty interesting times IMHO, if I do say.

 

[mgteich]

You know, you CAN still be the greatest country in history and STILL have done some pretty horrible things in your past.

OT, a bit, but perhaps not for this weekend.

I too am in my 80th year. I recall 1976. We had every bit as many crises as in the past couple of years and had deep cultural and political divisions.

But there is a difference today. In 1976, the vast majority of both parties and independents were proud to be Americans. We all knew about the past atrocities and that there much to do to live up our founding documents. But those of all beliefs worked together (or even apart) for the good, especially politicians, where compromise was NOT a dirty word. I will always recall the example of Dole and Kennedy working together, and most of all I remember Reagan and O'Neil going out for a beer after a day of fiercely opposing each other.

Our country has indeed been the beacon on the hill, the great experiment. But we are in great trouble when so many are not proud to be Americans (check out a poll or two). We are in great trouble when virtually everyone who agrees with opposing party is an enemy.
========
On an optimistic side, I did watch a lot of television over the last week. The hate didn't take a one-week break, but it was indeed very diminished.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Happy fourth to all! Here's to WE THE PEOPLE retaining democracy, and making democracy count, for the next 250 (starting with right now!) American to Americans (the OP aside, but thanks for the nudge, Mike,) here's to the idea and the ideals that hold us together.

 

[Triumph]

 

[Triumph]

Joey Chesnut has won the hotdog eating championship for the 18th time.

66 hotdogs.

 

[1960Pats]

Wishing all of my American friends a wonderful day.

Thanks for the kind words. My only problem yesterday was trying to settle down our dog. He shakes like a leaf at the sound of fireworks.

I can't describe how proud and lucky I feel that my grandparents came to this country. The only thing I wish they did differently was settle in a warmer area.

 

[PATSNUTme]

You know, you CAN still be the greatest country in history and STILL have done some pretty horrible things in your past.

You aren't being patriotic by pretending the bad stuff didn't happen. By remembering the mistakes is how we keep from making them again.

Beware those who want to either rewrite or forget our past. They either want you angry, dumb or distracted. The best part about the Constitution is that's it's a participation sport.
We are expected to be an INFORMED electorate. Lately we have not been holding up our end. It takes effort to know the issues and where you stand. AND you will all agree on far more things than you disagree. It seems like too many would abragate our responsibilities as citizens and have someone else make them for us.

Historically, liberal democracies like ours don't usually have long shelf lives. 250 years is quite an accomplishment. Believe me, the next 50 years are NOT guaranteed, even 25...or 2.

Happy 250th. I've seen almost 80 of those years. Pretty interesting times IMHO, if I do say.

Ken,
No one that I know is not aware of our past mistakes. It doesn't mean that we have to costantly dwell on them as some people seem to do.
The preamble of the Constitution says " a more perfect union". That recognizes that we are not perfect and never will be. We always will have work to do.

More people in the world have freedom from tyranny because of the United States of America. Perhaps we could dwell on that for a while.
Just a thought.