Fourth of July

Posted on July 4, 2003 in Citizenship Festivals Liberty

Contrary to the expectations of some readers, we celebrated the Fourth. By ourselves, away from the crowds and the parades that have support for the war tacked on to them. We barbecued chicken and corn.

Our neighbor Shane came by with his two boys to pet the cats. He told me about an American neighbor who insisted that the
Constitution had only been amended “once or twice”. Shane who is Australian knew better and spent a fruitless two hours trying to set the American straight.

Next Fourth I’d like to organize a teach-in on what the Constitution is all about. The fireworks thrill and the parades set the stage for the jump that some get when the bombs start to fall and buildings crack. Americans need to do more than celebrate: they need to know exactly what the celebration is all about. Not talking about the Constitution on the Fourth is like having Christmas without the nativity story or a Passover seder without the questions from the children.

Ignorance is what leads some people to believe that George W. Bush is a hero. His supporters are as true to the founding principles of this country as the Christians among them are true to the Beatitudes. Have courage and tell the real story of American liberty today.