FReeper Canteen ~ God Bless America ~ Happy 4th of July ~ July 4 2004

~ Happy Birthday America ~

The Declaration Of Independence

The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. --Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

America 1776 - America 2004

America 1776 - The population was nearing a million or had just crossed over the million mark.

America 2004 - The estimated population is 293 million people.

America 1776 - Average children in a family were 6.3
America 2004 - Average children in a family dropped to 2.07

America 1776 - America's largest city was Philadelphia (pop.34,000)
America 2004 - America's largest city is New York City (pop. 8 million)

America 1776 - There were no telephones in America
America 2004 - (186 million main lines & 140 million cell users)

America 1776 - Ninety percent of the American population worked in the Agricultural field.
America 2004 - Only 2.4 percent of the population now works in an Agricultural related field.

America 1776 - There would become 13 States.
America 2004 - There are now 50 states with over 17 territories.

To find out more information please visit here and here.

As we celebrate another American birthday, we ask that you remember the reason for our celebrations. This Nation was born with the blood, sweat, and tears of average farmers trying to make a new life for themselves and their families. It set us apart then. It still does today.

As you celebrate, please say a prayer for the protection of our brave heroes. As you eat your hot dogs and spend time with family and friends, please take a moment to think about a soldier far from home. As you watch the fireworks, remember the tradition of the American Soldiers and Sailors.

Please post any 4th of July celebrations or ways you will be honoring our Troops. Please stay safe and have fun!!!

Iraqi children wave to soldiers from 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor, at their compound in Khalis, Iraq, on Thursday. M. Scott Mahaskey / Military Times staff

Iraqi children wave to soldiers from 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor, at their compound in Khalis, Iraq, on Thursday.

Taxi, hey Mister, can we ride in your taxi?

Sgt. 1st Class Steven Johnson, of Upland, Calif., a member of 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor, 1st Infantry Division, hands out lollipops to children in Khalis, Iraq, on Thursday. M. Scott Mahaskey / Military Times staff

Iraq government administration officials have expressed very minor concerns about the prevalence of Coke dealers in the suburban communities.

An Iraqi policeman displays his AK-47, adapted with a makeshift laser targeting system, at the police compound in Khalis, Iraq, on Thursday. The laser used is a common pointer, similar to those used at business meetings, and is secured to the weapon with ordinary duct tape. M. Scott Mahaskey / Military Times staff

Duct tape, don't leave home without it.

Spc. James Dolph, 28, of Salisbury, N.C., a member of 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor, 1st Infantry Division, checks the blood pressure of an Iraqi police officer at their compound in Khalis, Iraq, on Thursday. Even after the transfer of authority on Monday, soldiers continue to offer support to the Iraqi police. M. Scott Mahaskey / Military Times staff

Watch where you put your hand there Officer!

Soldiers at Camp Victory, one of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s palaces, located on the outskirts of Baghdad, watch as the fallen dictator appears on TV at a courtroom hearing on Thursday. Hussein Malla / AP photo

Soldiers at Camp Victory, one of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s palaces, located on the outskirts of Baghdad, watch as the fallen dictator appears on TV at a courtroom hearing on Thursday.

It seems that everyone in Iraq is complaining that the Armed Forces Network is constantly showing the same old reruns.

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein rejected charges of war crimes and genocide brought against him in a courtroom at an undisclosed U.S. base on Thursday. This image is taken from video. APTN / AP photo

Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein rejected charges of war crimes and genocide brought against him in a courtroom at an undisclosed U.S. base on Thursday. This image is taken from video.

Yes I know Dan Rather, we had lunch together, after which I had my neighbor executed and ate his heart served with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.

A soldier, who referred to himself only as Sgt. Garcia, watches deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein appear in court on TV in Baghdad on Thursday. Hussein Malla / AP photo

A soldier, who referred to himself only as Sgt. Garcia, watches deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein appear in court on TV in Baghdad on Thursday.

Most Wanted is a very popular television program in Baghdad, despite the fact that the program is in reruns at this time of the year.

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division search a home in the Ghazeliya section of Baghdad on Wednesday during a raid to find a suspected insurgent financier. The suspect was not located. Jim MacMillan / AP photo

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division search a home in the Ghazeliya section of Baghdad on Wednesday during a raid to find a suspected insurgent financier. The suspect was not located.

The impromptu barracks inspections resulted in so many gigs that the Sarge was busted down to Private E-Zero, and his internet posting privileges were completely revoked.

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division approach a home in the Ghazeliya section of Baghdad on Wednesday as they conduct a raid to find a suspected insurgent financier. Soldiers entered the home, but found it unoccupied. Jim MacMillan / AP photo

They say that in the Army the duty is mighty fine. We get to knock down doors, and then we are back in line.

Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, left, Gen. John P. Abizaid, center, and Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. salute during a ceremony at Camp Victory, Iraq, on Thursday to transfer command of Multi-National Force-Iraq from Sanchez to Casey. Jim MacMillan / AP photo

The Army All Stars showed up with a bit of diversity in their holster apparel.

A soldier stands at attention during a ceremony raising the Iraqi flag over “Assassins’ Gate” in Baghdad’s Green Zone on Thursday. Khalid Mohammed / AP photo

A soldier stands at attention during a ceremony raising the Iraqi flag over “Assassins’ Gate” in Baghdad’s Green Zone on Thursday.

What would your job be like if you could "no-show" 87 % of the time?

A soldier inspects damage done to the Sheraton Hotel in Baghdad after a rocket attack on the building on Friday. The hotel houses mostly international journalists. No injuries were reported. Hussein Malla / AP photo

A soldier inspects damage done to the Sheraton Hotel in Baghdad after a rocket attack on the building on Friday. The hotel houses mostly international journalists. No injuries were reported.

The problem with termite infestations in Iraq has reached epic proportions.

Iraqi Minister of Defense Hazim Al Shala, left, greets Army Brig. Gen. Michael Jones while visiting a traffic checkpoint in Baghdad on Thursday. Jim MacMillan / AP photo

Iraqi Minister of Defense Hazim Al Shala, left, greets Army Brig. Gen. Michael Jones while visiting a traffic checkpoint in Baghdad on Thursday.

That tie looks a lot like what I just passed of that horrible breakfast this morning!

A soldier stands with residents of Sadr City, a predominately Shiite Muslim neighborhood of Baghdad, on Thursday. Karim Kadim / AP photo

A soldier stands with residents of Sadr City, a predominately Shiite Muslim neighborhood of Baghdad, on Thursday.

Guess what you will not see on the CBS News this evening!

Upperclassmen, right, inspect a line of incoming freshmen and teach them how to stand at attention during in-processing at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Thursday. The Class of 2008 arrived Thursday to begin their four-year quest to become commissioned officers. Bryan Oller, The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette / AP photo

Is that a "pledge pin" on your uniform?

Soldiers of Alpha Company’s 2nd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), and Iraqi National Guard (ING) soldiers line up to move into the objective house during a cordon-and-knock operation in Mosul, Iraq, on Tuesday. Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson / U.S. Army

Fans in line for tickets to the upcoming Toby Keith concert have been getting up very early in the morning.

Staff Sgt. Atkinson shows off his knife technique while chopping vegetables.

As Crockodile Dundee might have said, " That is not a knife."

Just another day at the office for our Troops.

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