Independence Day Celebration!

July 4, 2008.

On this, the anniversary of our 232nd year of Independence from being a colony of a smaller nation on another continent, it is entirely appropriate and fitting that we "make a joyful noise".

Schools are happy: there is no school today.

The President and the White House are happy:

Presidential Message, Independence Day 2008

I send greetings to all Americans on Independence Day.

More than two centuries ago, bold and courageous visionaries pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in signing the Declaration of Independence. Guided by ancient and eternal truths, our forefathers proclaimed to the world that liberty was the natural right of all mankind and in doing so began one of the greatest chapters in human history. On the Fourth of July, our country commemorates the great achievements of these heroes and reaffirms its unwavering confidence in the power of freedom.

It was the desire for freedom that inspired our Founding Fathers, and it is the belief in the universality of freedom that guides our Nation. On this occasion, we pay special tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces, both past and present, who have answered freedom's call and defended the values that make America the greatest country on earth.

May God bless America.

GEORGE W. BUSH

And I'm happy.

I celebrated this day by exercising at least two of my Constitutional Rights, as modified and expanded by the Bill of Rights:

(1,) The First Amendment recognizes my right to say almost anything I want to say here, on this Internet Blog. We call it "Freedom of Speech", or more accurately in the current interpretation (which doesn't restrict it to verbal speech), "Freedom of Expression".

This blog is a small thing, but it represents my Voice.

The First Amendment (among other rights) represents my God Give Right to stand on a street corner and make a speech. This blog is an Electronic Street Corner, which translates in an entirely appropriate manner in accordance to the changing technical capacities of our society.

In 1776 we didn't have the Internet. We didn't have computers. Heck, with the isolated exceptions (such as Benjamin Franklins "Key on a Kite String" experimentation), we didn't even have electricity. It was there, but we didn't know much about it. Still our Constitution is so strong that it recognizes the right to Free Speech, no matter the milieu or the media.

That has not always been the case. Our First Amendment Rights have historically been attacked by the most unlikely sources; John Adams authorized the "Alien and Sedition Act of 1798"; in 1918, Congress authorized the Espionage Act of 1917 :

The Espionage Act of 1917 was amended by Congress the following year to not only target "those who interfered with the draft, but also those individuals who publicly criticized the government — including negative comments about the flag, military or Constitution.

Can we today criticize the flag, military or Constitution?

Yes, and we do it all the damn time.

This right is often interpreted variously, according to the times:

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
(Voltaire, 1694-1778)

"I agree with what you say, but I would attack to the death your right to say it."
(Tom Stoppard, 1937 - )

For me, Voltaire seems sincere and in accordance to the First Amendment.
Stoppard seems flippant, sophomoric, unlettered and insincere. He also said:
It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting.

Well, there you have the 2000 and the 2004 U.S. Presidential elections all over again.

I have no use for politicians, or people who are insincere. But then, I repeat myself.
_________________________________________

(2.) The Second Amendment recognizes my right to "... Keep and Bear Arms", and in a way it also provides me with a special way to celebrate this Independence Day.

(NOTE: As I wrote, illegal firecrackers are going off all over Corvallis, and at the Trysting Tree Gold Club because the Benton County Fair Grounds has insufficient parking space for the expected viewers of the traditional Fireworks Displays which we have learned to expect on this momentous day.)


Earlier today, I participated in a USPSA Pistol Match, were each of us were 'allowed' to "Make A Joyous Sound" by shooting pistols of various makes and calibers, blasting holes in cardboard targets and knocking down steel targets, for no better reason that we could.

The photos of this event show sane, 'normal' people having a lot of fun, doing nothing more more condemnatory that shooting at targets.

A recent Huffington.Com post (H/T: Michael Bane Blog) suggests that "The Supreme Court now says every American has the right to kill people, subject only to certain situational constraints." Obviously, this person does not know what he is talking about. Also, he has no understanding of what he refers to as far as the Second Amendment is concerned.

Most important, he has no comprehension regarding the many reasons why people own firearms, particularly handguns.

We may own them to defend ourselves, our families, our neighbors and even people we don't personally know. That doesn't mean we own them for the express purpose of "... Kill[ing] People...", which he slyly expresses in the most negative terms possible.

We've got to get people looking at firearms ownership in a more realistic manner. This constant attack on honest citizens is misdirected. People who attack us as if we were a bunch of drugged-up gang-bangers or "Death Wish" avengers have been watching too many movies, and they have no connection with The Real America.

In the meantime, when I'm not writing about shooting, I'm on the range making loud noises just because it feels so good. It is The Sound of Freedom, because, you know ... we can do this.