Here are some articles to ponder this 4th of July….

1776 – the Declaration of Independence

The full text of the Declaration of Independence.

More…

Recipe for making an “American”

First you get a very large pot, and mix in some Brits, some French, a bunch of Irish, then add a few million Africans, stir up some Indians, then simmer…..

more….

Diversity is America’s greatest strength

There would appear to be a very loud group of people in the country that don’t see America as including liberals, Blacks, Mexicans, Jews, homosexuals, uppity women and bunches of other people who are not like them.

The diversity of our society scares the bejeezus out of them.

But the diversity of our society is our greatest strength.

More….

Can you figure out what the “original intent” of the US Constitution was?

There is much debate about the “original intent” of those who wrote our Constitution.

For example, did the guys who wrote our Constutition create a “Christian” nation?

To some folks one has to stick to the “original intent” of the folks who wrote our Constitution.

To other folks the Constitution is a “living” document that has worked remarkably well for over 200 years because we can take the words of , for example, Article 1 …and deal with modern issues.

More…..

Immigrant stories…coming to America

With all the debate about immigration going on, it is useful to remember that somewhere in the past, we were all immigrants to America.

Folks left their homelands and risked their lives to come to a strange land so they could build a future for themselves and their children.

This July 4th weekend, remember the stories of who your ancestors were and why they came to America…and what it took for you to be who you are today.

These are mine:

More….

Immigrants homesteaded and helped create America

I did not know that under the 1862 Homestead Act a person who intended to become a citizen could also file and get 160 acres of land.

Back in those days, after an immigrant came to America, they signed a document called a “Declaration of Intent to become a citizen”.

One can research this stuff…I found where my great great grandparents who immigrated from Czechoslovakia signed their “declaration”..and they ultimately became citizens. And now I know where the original family farm came from.

In the context of the 2011 debate over immigration law reform which seems to be polarized between “amnesty” and deportation of 11 million people…it is hard to imagine a time when not only were immigrants being invited to come to America…they were even offered a chance for free land…..

More…..

Have a Happy 4th of July and be careful with the fireworks.

There would appear to be a very loud group of people in the country that don’t see America as including liberals, Blacks, Mexicans, Jews, homosexuals, uppity women and bunches of other people who are not like them.

The diversity of our society scares the bejeezus out of them.

But the diversity of our society is our greatest strength.

America was not created to be a white Christian nation. It was created to protect diversity and it has worked.

We have attracted all the misfits from all over the world who didn’t have a place to practice their religions or pursue their individual destinies.

America has been the place where people could pursue their dreams.

We are the land of freedom and opportunity.

America is a rich tapestry of everything that is the best of humanity.

So rather than being afraid of that diversity, we must embrace it and protect it.

There’s a segment of our population that is very loud and claims to be the majority.

They are very obviously intolerant of anyone that disagrees with their vision of America. Our Constitution gives us the right to disagree. Call us idiots or worse, but we are not going to be silenced.

So what if a lot of people “broke the law” by coming to America. The point is they got here because our immigration system is broken.

We didn’t have a legal way for people to join our experiment in freedom and opportunity. Lets fix the problem and keep the light of freedom shining.

“Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand,” she wrote,

A mighty woman with a torch…
From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome…
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!”…
“Give me your tired, and your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to be free…
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

—Emma Lazarus poem on the Statue of Liberty

First you get a very large pot, and mix in some Brits, some French, a bunch of Irish, then add a few million Africans, stir up some Indians, then simmer.

The mixture will produce Yankees, Southerners, cowboys, cotton farmers, miners and about 20 various states.

Then bring to a boil, repeating the following:

“All men and women are created equal regardless of their race, creed or color.”

“Everyone has an equal right to succeed or fail, based solely on their efforts, and not because of what class or color they are.”

“Government exists to serve the people, and not vice versa.”

“One has the right to express one’s views, even if no one agrees with them.”

“Government and religion must be kept separate from each other.”

“If one works hard, they can improve their lot in life, and that of their children.”

“A free economy is the best means to prosperity.”

“Justice and fairness are the same thing.”

After the mixture cools down, add Poles, Czechs, Hungarians, Germans, Swedes, Norwegians, Turks, Lebanese, Mexicans, Brazilians, Nigerians, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Pacific Islanders, and about 200 other varieties and spices from around the world, and mix thoroughly, keeping as much of the original flavor of each of the ingredients as possible.

 (Note, some of the ingredients will add themselves.)

The end result will be a very interesting experiment that constantly changes its texture, yet is unquestionably “American” no matter where it is found, no matter what color it is, and no matter what language is spoken.

****************

This 4th of July share with your children the answers to these two questions:

–Where did your ancestors come from?

–Why did they come to America?