Independence Day
My American flag went up right after I awakened this morning. Nobody needed to remind me, but my wife did anyway. 
July 4 is a special holiday for us. This year in particular, as we watch a repressive regime crush dissent in Iran and a nation that behaves like a petulant child, of the “nuclear family,” (“Pay some attention to me!”) sending off short-range missiles toward the Sea of Japan. If a long-range missile is also sent, my friend Peter on Maui may get to see its interception as part of his Fourth of July fireworks. I am probably within range of a long-range missile on a polar trajectory, and, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” I have lived most of my life in the top 200 “U.S. prime target areas” of the Cold War, and I refuse to let fear of such events be a motivator. You can choose to live in fear, or refuse to live in fear.
Even as “Generation Y” reflects on being American, we “Baby Boomers” do, too! And the Gen X’ers, in between…. People sometimes forget that the American Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and Bill of Rights were controversial documents. They were! Actually, with the erosion of liberties by powerful people on both the political Right and the political Left, you can almost say, “They still ARE!”
But that’s America…! The constant political discussion and the freedom to have that discussion…!
Today, as Americans celebrate their Independence Day, we can look around the world and still see that “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty – power is ever stealing from the many to the few….” On both the Right, and the Left….
The fight for liberty is an eternal one.
Happy Fourth of July!
-Bill at Cheshire Cat Photo™
You can view higher-resolution photos (*generally* 7-30 megabytes, compressed) at the Cheshire Cat Photo™ Pro Gallery on Shutterfly™, where you can also order prints and gifts decorated with the photos of your choice from the gallery. Apparel and other gifts decorated with some of our most popular photos can be ordered from the Cheshire Cat Photo™ Store on CafePress®. Both Shutterfly™ and CafePress® ship to most international locations worldwide! If you don’t see what you want or would like to receive an email when new photos are up on the site, send us an email at info@cheshirecatphoto.com.
