On this 4th of July, 2010,.....

It was a typically-hot and humid early July in Philadelphia, 1776. For many, especially the representatives from cooler Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, it was down right uncomfortable.

But the discomfort from the oppressive summer heat was taking a back seat to another, more insidious oppression: King George III of England had rebuffed entreaty after entreaty from his colonial subjects to reduce taxes, allow more trade and freedom to control their destinies in the New World.

The colonists had suffered enough! After weeks of tested wills, dueling views of a future united colonial system and opposing agendas, the fiery Protestants of New England, the pacifist Quakers of Pennsylvania, the forgiving Catholics of Maryland and the duplicitous Georgians and Carolinians finally came together and made the following joint statement:

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

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. —

And that is what these men from 13 disparate colonies did: they dissolved, once and forever, the political bands of control from England. No one had done it before, nor had they ever thought to do such a thing!

Then they took and even bolder step: they signed their names to this document, knowing and agonizing that they would now be the enemy of King George's forces, subject to death for thinking such seditious thoughts!

Those men did survive and now, 246 years later, that noble moment and the altruistic intent stands as an unbroken blueprint for peace and stability in the world.

So, gentle readers, enjoy a grilled hot dog and hamburger, raise a glass of cold beer, watch parades and fireworks and listen to two centuries' worth of patriotic music.

But don't forget to do this as well: pass along to your children and grandchildren the importance of the great sacrifice these men made so that we may continue to celebrate this day another 246 years from now!

These Colors STILL Don't Run!

Wisconsin Army Veteran Allowed to Keep Flag on Display

A Wisconsin Army veteran -- who faced eviction this week for flying the American flag -- will now be allowed to keep the flag up for as long as he wants.

Under mounting nationwide protest, Charlie Price, 28, of Oshkosh, Wis., and officials at Midwest Realty Management struck a "mutual agreement" that allows the veteran to continue displaying the patriotic symbol, according to a statement posted on the company's website on Thursday.

Price and his wife, Dawn, 27, were previously told they had to remove the flag -- which hangs in a window inside the couple's apartment -- by Saturday or face eviction due to a company policy that bans the display of flags, banners and political or religious materials.

"It means the world to me," Price told FoxNews.com. "The way it happened wasn't the right way because the staff members were getting threatened and we didn't want any violence out of this, but I'm glad we did come to a compromise."

Randy Rich, the apartment complex's property manager, told FoxNews.com that Midwest Realty Management received nearly 4,000 e-mails and thousands of phone calls in connection to the controversy.

Another Piece of Our Television Iconography Gone,...

'Daniel Boone' star Fess Parker dies
By Alan Duke, CNN
March 18, 2010 4:07 p.m. EDT

Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Fess Parker, best known for playing Daniel Boone in a 1960s television series, died Thursday at his home near Santa Barbara, California, his publicist said. He was 85.

Parker followed his acting career with successful hotel and winery ventures around Santa Barbara.

A statement issued by his family did not reveal the cause of death.

Parker is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcella, their son and daughter, 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild who "spent a great deal of time with Fess in his final months and weeks," the statement said.

A native of Texas, Parker served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before graduating from the University of Texas-Austin in 1950.

Oh! Can-a-beans!

U.S. hockey pulls off upset against Canada

FoxSports

The Americans pull off an upset on Canada’s home ice.

The United States pulled off its biggest Olympic hockey upset since the Miracle on Ice, stunning Canada 5-3 on Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals of an already mixed-up tournament.


Brian Rafalski scored two goals and set up another, and Ryan Miller held off a flurry of shots to lead the Americans.


One day short of the 30th anniversary of the country's greatest hockey victory -- the unfathomable win over the Soviet Union in Lake Placid -- these underrated Americans were faster, more disciplined and more determined than Canada 's collection of all-stars.


Better, too.


Canada outshot the U.S. 45-22 yet couldn't badly dent Miller, the goalie the Americans felt could best stand up to all of Canada 's might. He did just that, making 42 saves in the victory of a lifetime.


These Americans didn't believe in miracles. They just believed.

And it Begins,....

SarahPAC

Something to Do For Flag Day!

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