Happy Independence Day

TwistedCU

New member
Happy Independence Day Jeepz! With it falling on a Wednesday I imagine many are just doing what we are doing... taking a much needed day off and enjoying time together.

Enjoy, and remember that we have what we have as long as we keep it. Be the squeaky wheel to your elected officials. Vote in every election. Keep and bear arms.

I think that the Immigration bill that just failed did so because of the flood of calls and emails to the offices of our public servants. When they forget they are there to serve their society they need to be reminded that we value our freedom and anyone who jeopardizes it will be unemployed next term ;)

Oh, and by the way... this is July 4th for any of you too indoctrinated to know what "Independence Day" is because it is too often referred to as the 4th of July :lol:

Seriously though... enjoy your day! Remember that in a room of indecision and amongst many differing views, a man stood up and risked his life to encourage our forefathers to stand up for themselves against tyranny...

March 23, 1775
By Patrick Henry


No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as
abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house.
But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and,
therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those
gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to
theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This
is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful
moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less
than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the
magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in
this way that we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the
great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep
back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should
consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act
of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all
earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of
hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to
the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the
part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not,
and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their
temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost,
I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide
for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp
of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the
past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the
conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those
hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and
the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been
lately received?

Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not
yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious
reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which
cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to
a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling
to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?
Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and
subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen,
sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to
submission? Can gentlement assign any other possible motive for it?
Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for
all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They
are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to
bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have
been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try
argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we
anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject
up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall
we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech
you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be
done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we
have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves
before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the
tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been
slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult;
our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with
contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things,
may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.

There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean
to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have
been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble
struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged
ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest
shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An
appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us,
sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next
year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard
shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but
irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance
by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of
hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not
weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature
hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause
of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are
invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we
shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides
over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our
battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to
the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election.
If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from
the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our
chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!
The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extentuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace,
Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale
that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of
resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here
idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so
dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and
slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take;
but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
 
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This country may not be perfect... Hell, it's well from it, states, counties, cities, they all have their faults, particularly in the hard times that we are seeing. What country doesn't? What country is perfect? But in this country, I can point out the fact that it's not perfect, and continue to live and be guaranteed Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That's what makes us great. That's what I am thankful for every day... That's why I am greatly proud to be a part of this country. Happy Independance Day, one and all... It is time for barbecues with family and friends, and a rememberance of what we have.
 
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Happy 4th of July!
Everybody stay safe and enjoy your freedom to do so and remember the men and women who are providing that freedom for us.
 
Maybe this isn't the "perfect" country, it is the perfect country for me! :D Happy 4th and let us not forget the people that are fighting and have fought for our country.
 

Here's a big THANK YOU who all you who keep and kept the FREE in freedom and to the families who love and support them.

This year takes on a special significance for my family as we're waiting by the phone for a call from our son who just left for Army Basic Training. Those of you who have family that has, or is, going through basic training know what I'm talking about. Next year at this time, our daughter will be in Navy Recruit Training.

Huh ... funny how that flag flying on the front of my house seems a little bigger this year.

God bless the USA!
 
well, it's 4:45 here and I'm off to the place where our city fireworks display is on tonight, how many of you are going to see a professional display vs your drunk uncle shooting a roman candle out his butt:D
 
As appealing as both of those options appear, I think I'll go with the professional fireworks display ... thank you very much. ;-)
 

well, it's 4:45 here and I'm off to the place where our city fireworks display is on tonight, how many of you are going to see a professional display vs your drunk uncle shooting a roman candle out his butt:D

ummmm....... the roman candle was last year, this year it's bottle rockets, or as my Uncle calls them... butt rockets :D :D Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th!
 
Here, Here on the support of our troops. I triy to remember that these days are not only just days to relax and have a cold one, but to remember those that don't have that option currently. Our Brothers are doing their job right now as we speak, regardless of the politics, that is what we do. We follow our leadership and do what we must. I have to say, I would be much happier on these days of rememberance if my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and all our valued and needed Americans were out of harms way and back home with their families. Squabbles happen and that is our right as Americans, burn a flag if you must, but remember, there are those that are not home when you celebrate and remember what they do everyday, remember the hardship they go through attempting to readjust upon return, remember how many marriages and children are affected by what we do. This is the greatest nation on the planet and we will always be if we remain steadfast and loyal to our leaders. That doesn't mean we have to agree, but we must act when given marching orders. Take Care and enjoy ID Day.
 
Well I was the drunk Uncle this year... less the alcohol and the roman candle (or anything else for that matter) in an orifice. I think we one-upped Hanover's display this year :shock:

It was awesome

Booyah Mingez :lol:
 
I ran my vending business at our 4th celebration, so I don't get a chance to sit back and watch the fireworks, but I did make enough money to pay for almost 1/2 of our family vacation in under 4 hours!
 

Well I was the drunk Uncle this year...

Remember anything like this? -----> :drunk: :lol:

I think we one-upped Hanover's display this year :shock:

It was awesome

No public fireworks display in Ephrata last night due to rain. They'll try again for tonight, but there's supposed to be more rain... we'll see what happens! Lititz had their 190th annual fireworks display after a delay.... I think it was the 190th :?

Booyah!
 
,,... Hell, it's well from it, states, counties, cities, they all have their faults,.........

You forgot the parishes, Sean!!!:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Had to work on the 4th, but have tomorrow (Friday) off. Good ol' American capitalism and greed (production, production, production!!!!).:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

But I wouldn't live anywhere else! Once Bush is gone, perhaps we can get back to the country that our forefathers intended.

Oh, and.....................Mingez, you're TOO funny!!!:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
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