July 4, 2008. The 232nd Birthday of the United States of America, the greatest country God has ever placed upon the earth. In the history of mankind, there have been but five superpowers. The United States today bears that standard. Our people live in freedom and prosperity never before imagined. The foresight and political imagination of our Founders, coupled with the grace of God have made us as a nation the envy of man. Yet that status is threatened today as it ever has been. Americans today will barbeque, drink beer, go to the lake and pursue recreation in a hundred ways. I begrudge none of them their petty indulgences. After all, as I type two slabs of perfectly seasoned pork ribs are in the smoker and potatoes are boiling for my famous potato salad. The beer is in the fridge and the horses are finishing up breakfast so they are ready to ride later. What pains me though is that so few Americans will take time out today to reflect upon what this day really means.
Perhaps it's the historian in me. The Fourth of July falling the day after the anniversary the Battle of Gettysburg, I always view the time as one of opportunity, a chance to impart important history and political ideas to my son. This morning my boy and I are watching the movie Gettysburg. Earlier I reviewed the Declaration of Independence with him and talked to him about the fates of the signers of the Declaration. Those men who committed their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to the idea of an independent and free America. I want him to understand what the ideals behind this country really are and what a terrible price we have paid and continue to pay for freedom. I'm not the perfect dad, far from it but if more Americans would invest some time in their children's education, countering the mush and distortions planted by liberal educators, then those children will develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well later in life. Critical thinking skills that are usually nonexistent in the developmental stages of red diaper children.
Today our politicians grumble about partisanship but fail to address the most pressing needs of our citizens. Truth be told we are probably better off that they don't. Precious few have read the Constitution, fewer still understand the intent and thinking that went into it and virtually all of them ignore their oath to uphold and defend it. If you ask any American today what their most pressing concern is, I'd wager 75% of them would answer the price of gas. Yet our Congress ignores the obvious. Instead of addressing the issue in the only way that can affect prices, by opening up federal land holdings to exploration and development of known oil deposits, they dither and threaten to sue OPEC. This is what the continued election of trial lawyers gets you. Need I point out that trial lawyers are overwhelmingly supporters of the left in general and the democrat party in particular?
But I digress. Today is really a day to celebrate, to give thanks and to contemplate. I just hope that more Americans do a little more thanking and contemplating than they do celebrating. Who knows, if they do, we just might increase the ranks of legitimate Americans and diminish the ranks of the uninformed and pitiable.
Speaking of giving thanks, I am certainly thankful for this time of year. Growing up the Fourth of July was an event second only to Christmas in anticipation. There were barbecues, family gatherings, fireworks and parades. Today is no different, except for the time I spend with the kids trying to impart to them some sense of the gratitude they should feel at being born Americans and the thankfulness that they are being raised as legitimate Americans. This past week really is the best time of year. Last week we spend a lot of time at the rodeo and of course you can't beat rodeo for patriotic spectacle. It is the only major sporting event I can think of where the announcers and participants talk unashamedly about God and country. Where they play John Wayne's America, Why I Love Her in addition to the Star Spangled Banner. Somehow, when you're watching 3 and 5 year old kids on horseback cutting cattle in the arena in front of 8500 rodeo fans, you just get that warm feeling that the future is assured and America will turn out all right. Despite what some mother in Berkeley is teaching her kids about the special herbal ingredients in the brownies they're making for the childrens' commune.
In the meantime sportsfans, I want to wish you all a happy and healthy Fourth of July and urge you to take some time to contemplate the meaning behind the holiday. If you need a little help appreciating the sacrifice of our Founders, perhaps this story of their sacrifice will serve as a sobering reminder. God Bless you all.
Smilin' Paul Villa U.S. Senate 2010
cyber-Congressman, R-Reno
Proud Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and 2 SUV Family
Perhaps it's the historian in me. The Fourth of July falling the day after the anniversary the Battle of Gettysburg, I always view the time as one of opportunity, a chance to impart important history and political ideas to my son. This morning my boy and I are watching the movie Gettysburg. Earlier I reviewed the Declaration of Independence with him and talked to him about the fates of the signers of the Declaration. Those men who committed their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to the idea of an independent and free America. I want him to understand what the ideals behind this country really are and what a terrible price we have paid and continue to pay for freedom. I'm not the perfect dad, far from it but if more Americans would invest some time in their children's education, countering the mush and distortions planted by liberal educators, then those children will develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well later in life. Critical thinking skills that are usually nonexistent in the developmental stages of red diaper children.
Today our politicians grumble about partisanship but fail to address the most pressing needs of our citizens. Truth be told we are probably better off that they don't. Precious few have read the Constitution, fewer still understand the intent and thinking that went into it and virtually all of them ignore their oath to uphold and defend it. If you ask any American today what their most pressing concern is, I'd wager 75% of them would answer the price of gas. Yet our Congress ignores the obvious. Instead of addressing the issue in the only way that can affect prices, by opening up federal land holdings to exploration and development of known oil deposits, they dither and threaten to sue OPEC. This is what the continued election of trial lawyers gets you. Need I point out that trial lawyers are overwhelmingly supporters of the left in general and the democrat party in particular?
But I digress. Today is really a day to celebrate, to give thanks and to contemplate. I just hope that more Americans do a little more thanking and contemplating than they do celebrating. Who knows, if they do, we just might increase the ranks of legitimate Americans and diminish the ranks of the uninformed and pitiable.
Speaking of giving thanks, I am certainly thankful for this time of year. Growing up the Fourth of July was an event second only to Christmas in anticipation. There were barbecues, family gatherings, fireworks and parades. Today is no different, except for the time I spend with the kids trying to impart to them some sense of the gratitude they should feel at being born Americans and the thankfulness that they are being raised as legitimate Americans. This past week really is the best time of year. Last week we spend a lot of time at the rodeo and of course you can't beat rodeo for patriotic spectacle. It is the only major sporting event I can think of where the announcers and participants talk unashamedly about God and country. Where they play John Wayne's America, Why I Love Her in addition to the Star Spangled Banner. Somehow, when you're watching 3 and 5 year old kids on horseback cutting cattle in the arena in front of 8500 rodeo fans, you just get that warm feeling that the future is assured and America will turn out all right. Despite what some mother in Berkeley is teaching her kids about the special herbal ingredients in the brownies they're making for the childrens' commune.
In the meantime sportsfans, I want to wish you all a happy and healthy Fourth of July and urge you to take some time to contemplate the meaning behind the holiday. If you need a little help appreciating the sacrifice of our Founders, perhaps this story of their sacrifice will serve as a sobering reminder. God Bless you all.
Smilin' Paul Villa U.S. Senate 2010
cyber-Congressman, R-Reno
Proud Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and 2 SUV Family
posted by Smilin' Paul Villa | 9:34 AM
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