And a Happy 4th To Ya'll

[tunica du4u]

Just put a huge brisket on at midnite, got a case of ribs ready to put on at 6, 4- boudan-stuffed pork tenderloins about foot & half long ready to put on bout 9, and beans for 10.......we's gonna have a chow down

Today is Independce Day..while you at it think about this little piece I ran across;

Find the Declaration of Independence read a bit on its history, authors, signers, etc. while your at it.

Most Americans are familiar with those stirring words, which are actually the second paragraph:

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.

Powerful words and, even today, vaguely dangerous. "Abolish?"

But take a futher moment to read the "long train of usurpations," ie. the long list of government transgressions, which the colonists found sufficient cause to break away from Britain. Most American aren't at all aware of them. And yet, we are still, today, intimately familiar with what they put up with. For example:

He has refuted his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
Their King refused to approve laws the public wanted that they felt important to them.

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

Starting to sound familiar?

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

A military force, which in those days did many of the functions of the police, FBI, etc., had grown separate from and disconnected from the people they served.

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.

The colonists were taxed, at the worst, roughly 10% of their income. Ten percent. Last time I did the math, and I really did sit down and calculate it, I was paying over 40% of my income in various government taxes, fees, licenses, excises, charges, etc.
As the Founders noted above, we put up with it because as intolerable as it is, it's familiar and changing things is a bit scary.

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury.

Asset forfeiture is now the law, where your property is taken first and then you have to prove your innocence to (attempt) to get it back. Good luck. In some cases you may also find yourself in jail for a year or more waiting for the government to "assemble its case" against you. Imment domain was a big issue in the news these past weeks

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

A faraway body decides that the local government isn't doing the job and takes over for them. Say, in much the same way we find so many things Federalised when they ought to be State or County or local issues.

You get the idea. Or at least I hope you do. Have a safe weekend. Take a moment to thank any veterans you see. Ask yourself what is your country and what should it really be?

Happy Fourth of July.

[laduck]

You said it all. I hope that you and everyone has a great 4th of July.

[marionfd708]

du4u, can you bring me a plate at work .j/k
happy 4th to all
kev.

[mudsucker]

I'll need a plate down in Nawlins also!

[REBEL DUCK]

Happy fourth to all I wish i had some grub tunica du I am here at benoit with a bunch of young guys eating hot box food with alot of refreshments but having a good time.

[REBEL DUCK]

boy for some reason the 5th just dont feel as good as the 4th

[Ducks be us]

Ditto... the 5th sux. The whole gotta work and no play thing Hope y'all had a good 4th...Man, did we blow some stuff up Y'all have a nice day!