Independence Day Memorial

Spent the afternoon at my brother's home doing the typical American thing - BBQ, beers, and sitting around in too much heat. Loved spending time with my family <3

I've had an incredibly hard time writing this post. I am angry. I believe if the founding fathers of our country saw the truly dismal state our country is now in, they'd have a lot to say about it. They are probably turning in their graves. On a day in which we are supposed to be celebrating our Declaration of Independence from a tyrannical, oppressive government ... those words now represent our very government. I could rant and rave until I am blue in the face, but it won't matter. I just hope that other people in my country and around the world are waking up to see that we have been asleep at the wheel.

"But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government." -- Andrew Jackson, Farewell Address, March 4, 1837

Most importantly:
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania (1759)

My state's motto never seemed so important to me than now - "Live free or die." -- Gen. John Stark, the hero of the battles of Bennington and Bunker Hill.