Xomba Blog | Happy 4th of July
Xomba Blog | Happy 4th of July
Just wanted to pop in real quick and wish everyone here in the states a Happy 4th of July. Since we are celebrating the founding of our country I would like to take this time to shine a light on my favorite player in the American Revolution, Thomas Paine. No, he wasn't the victorious general or a crafty politician, instead he succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of the American people with his writings.
His most famous and most important work was Common Sense , the pamphlet that convinced George Washington, John Adams and thousands of colonists that this country had to be free from Great Britain. He also wrote several short pamphlets during the war called The Crisis in order to keep up the spirits of the soldiers and the people. Here is the beginning of the first issue of The Crisis :
"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value."
Plus he came up with the name of the country so that's got to count for something.
-Jeremy
PS - New articles on the front page today, including two on the 4th of July, a review of WALL-E and a guide to online dating for men.
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America turned out to be a great country with some consistent great leadership and focussed approach. However in the last few years the country has got bush whacked and has been losing its grandeur and appeal she had for outsiders (other countries). Reminds me of a cliched saying, "It's easy to reach the top, much more difficult to stay there."
Here's hoping America regains her original glory. Have a happy 4th of July.
To everyone too. I love the U.S. of A. What more can I say?
In my experience, the average American on the street couldn't remember what he ate for breakfast this morning much less the historical significance of what took place July 4, 1776. Not unlike other holidays on the calendar in this country, the 4th of July has become an excuse to get drunk and play the fool, except this time it is with incendiary devices.
There should be a requirement by fireworks outlets that the customers must pass a simple quiz on American history before they may purchase fireworks to "celebrate" the day.
This may make me sound cynical, but I don't believe people who spend the other 364 days of the year abrogating their duty as citizens to keep a watch on the government and their civic duty as responsible and diligent voters should be allowed the privilege of honoring the sacrifices made by our Founding Fathers in establishing this Constitutional Republic.
Did you know that there are two Presidents of The United States of America that has sons who were also Presidents of the USA.
One son is currently in office, there other I can't remember when he was in office but I believe he was an Adams?
I am not sure I may need some help here.
I am not american but it amazed me for two reasons to see this question asked on the street. One the actual fact that there were two such presidents and also that most people did not know it.
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The other father-son combination was John Adams and John Quincy Adams, who were #2 and #6 respectively. John Quincy Adams also was selected as a senator for his home state after he left office as President.
Another tidbit of trivia for George H.W. Bush is that he is the only Vice President ever to be elected to President after serving out his terms as VP.
One more tidbit, Grover Cleveland is the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms.
A fairly unbiased look at pre and early America can be seen in the new HBO miniseries John Adams.
It is a bio pic and I highly recommend it. Especially if you are a fan of the federalist papers. The story follows John Adams as a young lawyer to his death.
I have the final episode left to watch.
When I read the US Constitution, I see a document with humanitarian ideals of which we should be proud -- even if we haven't yet fully lived up to those ideals as a nation. Our history is full of ugliness that we can't erase. But then again, the same can be said of most nations.
I think we are a very diverse nation, filled with great people. I'm proud to live in this country, even though I know our government was long ago bought and sold to the highest bidder. Whether or not we can ever remedy that situation remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure, it's going to be up to the people to expect better from their elected officials. In the end, we get what we deserve.
Happy 4th of July, everyone!
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Out of the things i like about U.S. Freedom is the most appealing since I do not see the same amount of freedom in any other democracy.
I say democracies because communism can never be freedom anyways.
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