What is the 4th?

athenaartemis · 10 years ago

As we approach, another Fourth of July, I thought it might be a good idea to pause and think about the day and what it is. Here are some thoughts I wrote down. Hope to hear some of yours.

What is the 4th?

What is the 4th?

The 4th was conceived in Philadelphia. Aristocratic merchants, lawyers and plantation slave owners tell the most powerful country in the world a government that repeatedly and heinously abuses its people may be replaced by those people.

The 4th is a proclamation issued after an indecisive battle in Maryland. The proclamation transforms a civil war into a struggle to right a republic’s wrongs.

The 4th stood silent witness to the dark betrayal of Federal troops withdrawn from the defense of African-American civil rights. These soldiers of the republic then used their cannon, rifles and bayonets to crush the first nationwide labor strike.

Americans remembered the 4th when farming, labor and middle class people said to the robber baron capitalists, “No, your voices are not the only ones that count in America. You alone do not rule this nation.”

The 4th is a forgotten man in a forgotten state legislature. At the last moment, he changes his mind and gives women the right to vote.

The 4th smiled on a president who released a socialist from jail. The man’s crime, he opposed America’s entry into the First World War.

The 4th stood beside a man in a wheel chair when he refused to join the victorious forces of Militarism, Fascism and Nazism in Asia and Europe. His decision to commit America’s might to the “lost causes” of Democracy and Freedom will save not only America but also the world from “a new Dark Age dominated by perversions of the human spirit and technology.”

The 4th held its breath when parents hugged their children goodbye and sent them on a march. The parents know police armed with tear gas, nightsticks and dogs will oppose this march. The parents risked their future, the children, all for the hope this act will galvanize an administration still hesitating on civil rights.

The American people reminded a president about the 4th when the people not politicians or pundits said, “You are not above the law. You are not indispensable. It is time for you to go.”

The 4th rang out in the words of a movie star turned president, “Tear down this wall.” The 4th’s enemies build walls. The 4th’s friends build pathways.

Three young women, an aging senator, a general, a future president and the 4th spoke out "stop" to a war sold on lies, incompetence and fear. The 4th must be defended with wars but not dumb wars.

Five corrupt judges pimped out the 4th when they ruled all citizens are equal but corporations are more equal than any citizen.

The 4th walked hand in hand with two senators each spurned by their own parties. Together, they legislate to allow all who love the 4th enough to fight for it, to love who they love.

Today, a host of devils besieges the 4th. A global economy brings forth an orgy of excess and corruption for the few while abandoning the many to ever worsening desperation and privation. As technology brings peoples closer together, hatred’s fires are fanned like never before. A planet scorned strikes back at humanity with ever more fearsome furies. As WE THE PEOPLE seek answers, we fear the cures may be worse than the diseases. Some even wonder if the 4th has any answers for today’s brave new world.

To meet this onslaught of evils, we must like our Founders pledge “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” This call to arms must recognize, accept and deal with present realities not wallow in flawed memories of the past. Wisely dealing with today’s dangers with all available means is the only way government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the Earth.

-Tyr Garm

athenaartemis · 10 years ago

Happy 4th everyone! -Tyr Garm

Mr. X · 10 years ago

Packers64 wrote:Rather than giving lame posts about what you think the 4th is......how about volunteering for some military service?

I was going to respond too but then I decided its not worth the debate.

tallyho · 10 years ago

Either way shouldn't this be in miscellaneous?

RedMountain · 10 years ago

Packers64 wrote:Rather than giving lame posts about what you think the 4th is......how about volunteering for some military service?

Seriously, you could try to be more of an a$$ hat...no really, go ahead...

teotwawki · 10 years ago

PFFTTT.

If I wanted politics I'd have joined the ULTIMATE POLITCAL FORUM.

athenaartemis · 10 years ago

tallyho wrote:Either way shouldn't this be in miscellaneous?

tallyho,

I think you're right. I should have put this comment in the miscellaneous section. Just didn't occur to me. Good thought on your part for the future. Thanks.

To everyone else, what I hoped for in sharing this little piece was that other people might want to share some of their thoughts on the 4th. I certainly don't have the final say on the day. If there is one thing we need in this country, it's more people sharing ideas rather than people thinking they have the only good ideas.

Hope to hear more takes on the day. If not, happy 4th again everyone!

-Tyr Garm

Mr. X · 10 years ago

MORE PRETTY PONIES!

athenaartemis · 10 years ago

Mr. X wrote:MORE PRETTY PONIES!

LOL! Thanks Mr. X. Happy 4th!

-Tyr Garm

ksire_99 · 10 years ago

Answer: Independence Day!

Free the boobies

tallyho · 10 years ago

Yeah, well we didn't want you in our gang anyway, bunch of cheats!

Happy ID to everyone that side of the pond.

ksire_99 · 10 years ago

tallyho wrote:Yeah, well we didn't want you in our gang anyway, bunch of cheats!

Happy ID to everyone that side of the pond.

It wasn't the last time we had to make an amphibious assault on Germans, err I mean Hessians!

Glad you are part of our gang!