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EDITORIAL:
With all that’s going on, things are still good
We hold this truth to be self- evident, that thanks to an enterprising, intelligent, equally gutsy and frustrated group of colonists, the United States has been celebrating the Fourth of July since 1777.
That first birthday was rife with toasts, 13-gun salutes, music and yes, fireworks, to celebrate our freedom from Britain. With our official 232nd birthday in the books, the celebration will endure throughout the weekend, hopefully with barbecues and picnics replacing the 13-gun salutes.
During a time of war overseas and economic struggle at home — with housing prices taking a dive and gas prices soaring to new highs on a seemingly weekly basis — we still have it pretty good on a global scale, thanks to men like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and George Washington.
Because of these men and the people who fought and brainstormed with them, a community commentary and a mailbag full of letters bearing residents’ thoughts — whether critical or praiseworthy, positive or negative — grace this page every day the Leader is published. The more power someone has in the city, the more likely he or she is going to face criticism on the Forum page, or while sitting on the council dais in City Hall.
From city to county to state to national government, you’d better have thick skin if you want the job, because the accountability our Framers sought when creating this nation demands it.
Regardless of where you came from, what you think is important, how much money you make or why you believe what you believe, everyone here has a voice. And in trying economic times such as these, more people are likely to speak out, and those in power ought to be even more receptive to listening.
During what is likely to be a lighthearted weekend for most of us — spending time with family and friends, treating our taste buds while doing our best to stay cool — keep some heavier issues in mind, and talk about them. Have a political discussion. Complain about the gas prices. Reminisce about how much your house was worth two years ago.
So much sacrifice has been made for our right to do so, and Americans continue to die for it.
We owe it to ourselves and our forefathers to be conscious of what we have, what’s missing and what we can lawfully do to change what we don’t like.
But we also owe it to ourselves to have fun and celebrate our nation’s birthday, as we’ve done since 1777.
As our second president, John Adams, said of the Fourth of July in 1776: “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”
Again, let’s trade the guns for grills. Let’s eat, and let’s talk.
That first birthday was rife with toasts, 13-gun salutes, music and yes, fireworks, to celebrate our freedom from Britain. With our official 232nd birthday in the books, the celebration will endure throughout the weekend, hopefully with barbecues and picnics replacing the 13-gun salutes.
During a time of war overseas and economic struggle at home — with housing prices taking a dive and gas prices soaring to new highs on a seemingly weekly basis — we still have it pretty good on a global scale, thanks to men like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and George Washington.
Because of these men and the people who fought and brainstormed with them, a community commentary and a mailbag full of letters bearing residents’ thoughts — whether critical or praiseworthy, positive or negative — grace this page every day the Leader is published. The more power someone has in the city, the more likely he or she is going to face criticism on the Forum page, or while sitting on the council dais in City Hall.
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Regardless of where you came from, what you think is important, how much money you make or why you believe what you believe, everyone here has a voice. And in trying economic times such as these, more people are likely to speak out, and those in power ought to be even more receptive to listening.
During what is likely to be a lighthearted weekend for most of us — spending time with family and friends, treating our taste buds while doing our best to stay cool — keep some heavier issues in mind, and talk about them. Have a political discussion. Complain about the gas prices. Reminisce about how much your house was worth two years ago.
So much sacrifice has been made for our right to do so, and Americans continue to die for it.
We owe it to ourselves and our forefathers to be conscious of what we have, what’s missing and what we can lawfully do to change what we don’t like.
But we also owe it to ourselves to have fun and celebrate our nation’s birthday, as we’ve done since 1777.
As our second president, John Adams, said of the Fourth of July in 1776: “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”
Again, let’s trade the guns for grills. Let’s eat, and let’s talk.
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