4th of July

As I'm typing this, it's less than a hour from the 4th of July. I wont have time to update the blog tomorrow so I'm writing it now.

While some use this day as an excuse to pop fireworks, I avoid doing so. But I will watch a fireworks show near Ala Moana Beach Park.

July 4th is the day the USA declared independence from Great Britain. It is the birth of a nation, that while flawed, is the symbol of worldly progress.

The Founding Fathers understood even then, that while things aren't perfect, there is room for improvement.

The Founding Fathers weren't consistent on the concept of freedom. Some were slave-owners. But their words on freedom is what inspired Martin Luther King to tell America to start being more consistent and practice what it preaches.

There have been tragedies of the USA. There was slavery of African Americans, genocide of Native Americans, Jim Crow, the military draft. That's the only part of US history the Radical Left wants to talk about. But US history is more than that.

US history is also about inventions. Stuff like telephones, light bulbs, cars, television and the computer were invented in the USA. Music like jazz, country, blues, rock n roll, and hip-hop is American.

US history is also social progress. An African American woman Condoleeza Rice is the Secretary of State. That means the US President (with the approval of Congress) trust her in dealing with foreign relations. A Mexican-American man (Alberto Gonzalez) is in charge of the federal law enforcement system. This is a sign that non-whites are getting into ranks of great power. This is progress.

USA is the destination of many immigrants. Mexicans aren't moving to Guatemala (no offense), they're moving to the US. People worldwide are waiting in long lines for visas to the US. Meanwhile, millions are saying "screw the lines, I'm coming illegally". It's proof that the USA lifestyle is attractive to millions worldwide.

Tobin Jones (remember him?) will continue to bitch about how bad things are in this nation! Tell him the great news and he'll act like all the bad news erase the good news. It doesn't.

But we can look back on the progress made, then continue on for more progress.

God Bless the USA!