*HUGS*
Thank you so much for posting this Independence Day ~ July 4, 1776 thread!
While I was at work today I ventured into FR a couple of times - I was disheartened by some of the things I saw. A Vanity by Workerbee "Has the Fourth of July Been Hijacked?" drew some of the most negative, defeatist posts I have seen on this form. I responded, of course, and was glad to see several responses from real Americans.
I think it's great that you dated this thread July 4, 1776 - That's where we are today. Defeatism is not the course to take - Our Forefathers risked everything, their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor," in pursuit of that Great Triad of Rights - Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - that has energized generations of Americans ever since.
The path before them was perilous as ours is now - but we must not let this great Nation sink into the sewer of socialism. Never forget the heroic example of patriots like George Washington, Nathan Hale, John Paul Jones, Francis Marion and many others. God save the United States of America!
Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)