BORN ON THE 4TH OF JULY

This Country, not the movie-------

HG has some things to say on this birthday (surprise, surprise).

Anyone notice I did not say 'great' country?  That's because at this particular point in time, it isn't.  Great.  Unfortunately it's on a downward spiral and gaining momentum.  I do believe it will survive.  And possibly be, once again, great.  Because under all of this garbage' there is still the spirit of the core -- the hearts of most people.

We have weathered some catastrophic times:  The War of Independence, the Civil War,  WWI & II, Korea, and oh, Vietnam.  The mid-east past, present and probably future.  And the pains of other man-made events:  expansion to our present 50, the 'Dust Bowl', prohibition; the Depression (s).  Oh, yes, my peeps, man made.  (But that's a whole 'nother rant.)

An aside.  When I became interested in my family and it's history -- genealogy -- I learned more of  this Country's History.  Oh, there were history classes in school, including American History in college.  But I couldn't get interested in memorizing dates or events that didn't seem to be anything more than just that.  Why, oh, why aren't most history classes interesting?  Because this Country's History certainly is!

Well, back to today.  It would be good to actually finish this today.

I do morn for some things on this day:  respect -- for the flag, the military, the elected officials (the office only if need be), our national anthem.....and each other.  When did it become ok to show disrespect, reverence and awe for these things?  It has brought a tear to my eye when I have witnessed this blatant disrespect.  TAKE OFF YOUR STUPID HAT!  What ever do you have to say that is so important it can' t wait?  Unless you're yelling "fire" or something similar,  NOTHING.  The hot dog or beer can wait.  Trust me.

Do you know the words to the National Anthem?  The Pledge of Allegiance?  Are you familiar with the actual   Declaration of Independence? Constitution? the Bill of Rights?

How about the Lord's Prayer?

If you ever want  to get depressed (hmmmmmm) stay up and watch Jay Leno some night when they do the interviews 'on the street'.  One of the best/worst was the college student whose major was political science did not know the name of the vice president, the speaker of the house, and -- have to admit to being so sick by this time that I stopped listening.

Folks!  Please!

Wake up! Look around at the still great things we have!  For one thing, God's beauty -- this country has it all.  Incredible mountains, deserts, seas.....No matter what you like, it's in this country somewhere.  No place else on earth can really say that!  Times may be hard for you right now, and may get harder, but you can take personal responsibility (aw - a foreign concept?).  Your attitude.  Your actions.

We are still free.  We do have greatness.

CELEBRATE THIS FOURTH OF JULY -- not by acting stupid, but by being the best you can be in this country that is still the greatest there is.

This is the day that God has made.  I will be glad and rejoice in it!

Whew.  That made this Queen tired.  May have to go take my morning nap.zzzzzzzzzzz

HG