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FREEDOM & SECURITY
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"There is a grave danger that an announced need for increased security
will be seized upon by those anxious to expand it's meaning to the very
limits of official censorship and concealment."
President John F. Kennedy
USA INDEPENDENCE DAY REMEMBERED
Believe it or not I am an optimist.  Sometimes, though, realism has to take precedence.  As most Americans celebrate
our independence day, I see it as more of a sad occasion.  Today, I will be remembering what America once was, but will
probably never be again.

The USA has become a nation run by people who are proudly destroying the Constitution and American principles while
they simultaneously applaud people who accuse critics of "treason".  Just listen to talk radio or even CSPAN and you will
hear "conservatives" repeat political spin as fact and condone the removal of the very liberties our Founding Fathers
fought for. I know, I know, "9-11 changed everything".  Yes it did.  It provided an opening for politicians who had always
wanted to operate secretly, attack a free press and smear political opponents and the people who follow them.   

Face it, the United States is no more.  We are not united.  We have been divided on purpose. Ronald Regan built
today's conservative movement by talking about "Welfare Queens" that didn't exist.  And thus was born the formula of
making shit up, wrapping the flag, bible or "values" label around it and watch 1/3 of the population believe you. Then you so
vilify people who disagree with you - it turns a difference of opinion into a full fledge culture war. (Always a war.)

Bush Sr. used  Willie Horton to portray Democrats as pro-black-violent-criminals-who-prey-on-white-women. Newt Gingrich
claimed that compromise was a sign of weakness and promptly declared that the Clinton's were the "enemy of Normal
Americans" and  Bush Jr. ran for office in order to "restore honor and dignity to America". These are not  proposals of
ideas on how to run a nation.  They are direct attacks on people who oppose the GOP.  It is designed to grow
hatred toward fellow Americans. This is real hatred too. It is deeply personal and designed to prey on the fear and
insecurities of our citizens. It panders to the very worse instincts present in all human beings.  Yes, many Americans see
right through the divisive rhetoric.  But enough have taken the bait and allowed crafty politicians to quickly destroy what
once made us good and great.   

I don't expect it to change. Republican have already signaled that two of their key issues in 2006 will be gays and God.  
What could be more divisive than that? And who can deny it is divisive by design?  It's a  way to demonize
non-Republicans.  A method of fanning fear and hatred and driving people to the poll to vote Red? But long after the
election - the division remains. This optimist included.

So rather than celebrate, I will just look back at what was once a great nation and wonder how so many were turned so
quickly against the principles we once cherished.  Wave the flag, watch the fireworks and enjoy the day.  But if you are
actually celebrating the 230th anniversary of the start of our united nation then you should realize that is a celebration of
what once was - not of what still is. We had something really good going, but tragically, it was squandered away by those
whose love of power overtook their love of country.

God Blessed America - but we screwed it up anyway. vicious
Comments
Somebody created this composite of video clips
of President Bush where he seems to be
preforming the U2 classic 'Sunday Bloody
Sunday'.  It is amazing! (Time 3:07)
MUST SEE VIDEO!
This is an excellent clip, especially for this
July 4th, of President John F. Kennedy.  
As you all know he was President during
one of the most dangerous times for the
USA.  We were in the middle of the cold
war and the real fear of nuclear war hung in
the air.  Cuba, just 90 miles south of the
USA briefly planned to point missiles at us.  
We were at war and in
imminent danger of total destruction.

But Kennedy knew, as did all president up
to the present, that we must keep our
freedoms in order to defend them.  This
video reminds me of a time where the world
was crazy but Americans seemed rational.
We have truly lost our way.