First, a few words about the Fourth of July from one of my favorite authors, cynics, and all around cool people-who-are-now-dead: Mark Twain
Statistics show that we lose more fools on this day than in all the other days of the year put together. This proves, by the number left in stock, that one Fourth of July per year is now inadequate, the country has grown so.
- Pudd’nhead Wilson’s CalendarThe business aspects of the Fourth of July is not perfect as it stands. See what it costs us every year with loss of life, the crippling of thousands with its fireworks, and the burning down of property. It is not only sacred to patriotism and universal freedom, but to the surgeon, the undertaker, the insurance offices – and they are working it for all it is worth.
- Speech, July 4, 1899, “The Day We Celebrate”
Point is? Be careful out there.
As we celebrate this anniversary of our nation’s independence, everyone should have a great time and do all those things that you do to recognize the importance and happiness of the occasion. At the same time though, let’s not get carried away to the point where you have to be carried away.
And while I don’t wanna throw cold water or overly-serious ideas on top of the celebration, don’t forget what this holiday means, because it’s one of the most important events in our history. A lot of people sacrificed everything to establish our independence, and many more have died over the past couple of centuries to maintain it. It’s a solemn thought, but nothing illustrates the value of a thing so much as its cost.
Like many people, I’ve got a list of grievances with this country (or our government) a mile long, but it’s still the best place on Earth to live and prosper. Trust me, if there were a better place I’d be there. But no other country offers me the freedoms to be who and what I am, and to prosper and thrive in my own way. That’s what I celebrate on Independence Day.
So cheers to you all, and I hope you enjoy the holiday fully with the recognition of what it means and why we’re celebrating!
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Agreed! Free speech rocks. Opportunity for success rocks. The right to hunt – and having places to hunt – rocks (something I’m very aware of when I read hunting/shooting blogs across the pond.
Happy 4th!