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231 Years.
Jul. 4th, 2007 08:37 amIN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
( The rest of the declaration of independence here. )
I am Proud to be an American
No matter what, no matter who our president is, even if I don't appreciate him, I do appreciate the strides taken to develop our country and make it what it is. It's true, there are many improvements that need to come, but I do believe that we have a powerful heritage, and as a young country are moving along strongly. Be proud. You have the ability to fight for the changes you want. If you dislike something, be a patriot and write, email, or even call your representatives, even the president (I've called the white house.) Fight for the changes you wish to see, don't simply sit back and complain about them, that accomplishes nothing.. take advantage of your right as an american. You don't like the current state of affairs, I don't for the most part. But you do have to work for a new, and better state of affairs.
"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."
-FDR
Right now I am listening to: Boston Pops - Fanfare for the Common Man
sorry to isolate all the non-americans for whom this is just wednesday (happy belated canada day, by the way!) But i do avoid all things politics on lj, so one day a year shouldn't be too painful.
PS: Relatives's responses to my tattoo: "It's so big!
Okay, and not to ruin the integrity of the post.. but Dad is currently outside yelling at a squirrel. True story.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
( The rest of the declaration of independence here. )
No matter what, no matter who our president is, even if I don't appreciate him, I do appreciate the strides taken to develop our country and make it what it is. It's true, there are many improvements that need to come, but I do believe that we have a powerful heritage, and as a young country are moving along strongly. Be proud. You have the ability to fight for the changes you want. If you dislike something, be a patriot and write, email, or even call your representatives, even the president (I've called the white house.) Fight for the changes you wish to see, don't simply sit back and complain about them, that accomplishes nothing.. take advantage of your right as an american. You don't like the current state of affairs, I don't for the most part. But you do have to work for a new, and better state of affairs.
"We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."
-FDR
Right now I am listening to: Boston Pops - Fanfare for the Common Man
sorry to isolate all the non-americans for whom this is just wednesday (happy belated canada day, by the way!) But i do avoid all things politics on lj, so one day a year shouldn't be too painful.
PS: Relatives's responses to my tattoo: "It's so big!
Okay, and not to ruin the integrity of the post.. but Dad is currently outside yelling at a squirrel. True story.
