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Happy Birthday, America!
Here's something I always liked about you guys: You're there to be different so that us Canadians can define ourselves by what we're not! Without you guys, we would have no identity!
Thanks, USA!
But in all seriousness, you're a pretty awesome country! I wish I had an enormous birthday cake!
Patrick Curtin
(Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Roleplaying Game, Campaign Setting, Companion, Battles Case Subscriber)
Happy 232 America!
You look fabulous for over two centuries, still leading the way in freedom and democracy. You may have your issues, but at least your residents are allowed to discuss and vote on them. Here's to another two centuries of the great social experiment that held it as a self-evident truth that all folks were created equal and had certain inalienable rights.
Personally, I think the 4th is overrated. I don't like some of the things I'm seeing today and I'm not sure what all the fireworks are about. I really liked the 3rd of July, especially around noon, and would have preferred to just stay there.
So you all can enjoy the 4th but I'm sticking with July 3rd.
Personally, I think the 4th is overrated. I don't like some of the things I'm seeing today and I'm not sure what all the fireworks are about. I really liked the 3rd of July, especially around noon, and would have preferred to just stay there.
So you all can enjoy the 4th but I'm sticking with July 3rd.
I'm with you Pete. I'm all for America in its ideals and potential, but am not too keen on how it's going at the moment. I have always had a visceral hatred for blind nationalism, regardless of what nation one is rooting for, and American summers are full of them. Anyway, I like BBQ and days off work, so I can't complain too much.
Today's the 5th for me, but yesterday was spectacular, even with the muggy rain--they shot off the fireworks under the clouds, and it was kind of spooky as they reflected from both the skyscrapers (Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, Korea) and the ceiling (clouds). Free hot dogs, hamburgers, and soda! The Machine played Pink Floyd's best stuff all evening! A really great day; Happy Birthday, USA!
It was a happy Independence Day. :)
There's no other nation I'd rather live in.
Now the question that begs to be asked... how do you know? How many other nations have you actually lived in to do a proper comparison? :-)
Some general comments...
I think Mr. Zimmerman said it best:
"What if a guy came up to you and said, "I'm gonna bring forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."
You'd probably say, "Right on! Good luck with that!"
And what if he said, "I'm gonna form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
You'd probably say, "Wow! Knock yourself out!"
And what if he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
You'd probably say, "I got a meeting.""
Also, a quiz!
Where is the largest 4th of July celebration outside the US held?
It was a happy Independence Day. :)
There's no other nation I'd rather live in.
Now the question that begs to be asked... how do you know? How many other nations have you actually lived in to do a proper comparison? :-)
Some general comments...
I think Mr. Zimmerman said it best:
"What if a guy came up to you and said, "I'm gonna bring forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."You'd probably say, "Right on! Good luck with that!"
And what if he said, "I'm gonna form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity."
You'd probably say, "Wow! Knock yourself out!"
And what if he said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
You'd probably say, "I got a meeting.""
Actually, I'd say: "Well, Mr. Kennedy, it's a little weird speaking to you from beyond the grave (especially since you were a different guy just a few seconds back), but okay. How about I get a degree in Criminal Justice, train myself physically, and pursue a career in police work so I can help protect some small corner of this country?* Incidentally, Maralyn Monroe is hot and all, but you're married to a good woman. Take care of her, and stop sleeping around."
*I just attained said degree and have been testing for departments. The only thing that kept me out of the military was my wife who basically said: "You can do any kind of protective work you want, as long as it doesn't result in overseas deployment."
I'm with you Pete. I'm all for America in its ideals and potential, but am not too keen on how it's going at the moment. I have always had a visceral hatred for blind nationalism, regardless of what nation one is rooting for, and American summers are full of them. Anyway, I like BBQ and days off work, so I can't complain too much.Personally, I think the 4th is overrated. I don't like some of the things I'm seeing today and I'm not sure what all the fireworks are about. I really liked the 3rd of July, especially around noon, and would have preferred to just stay there.
So you all can enjoy the 4th but I'm sticking with July 3rd.
America? Oh, that parts fine.
I just don't prefer the 4th to the 3rd. I'd already purchased the complete set of July 3rd decorations and tablecloths. I also bought all the 3rd party July 3rd stuff to go with it. Now July 4th comes along (so soon after July 3rd too!) and everyone says I have to move to that. Bah! I hear that Paizo is sticking with July 3rd too! I'm really excited to see what they can do to jazz up those old July 3rd decorations.
[America? Oh, that parts fine.
I just don't prefer the 4th to the 3rd. I'd already purchased the complete set of July 3rd decorations and tablecloths. I also bought all the 3rd party July 3rd stuff to go with it. Now July 4th comes along (so soon after July 3rd too!) and everyone says I have to move to that. Bah! I hear that Paizo is sticking with July 3rd too! I'm really excited to see what they can do to jazz up those old July 3rd decorations.
Oh, I get it. Ha. I'm with you on that too.
I live in America now by choice. I love Independence Day (the holiday, not the movie!). But I am always very puzzled by the people around me who say, without any basis for comparison, things like, "we have more freedom here than anywhere else!"
I ask, "Germany?" (I was born there).
Almost inevitably, they reply, "Europe is a bunch of communists! Go live in Iran!"
There's a lot to love about the U.S. -- and in my mind it's even better if people can make a firsthand comparison for themselves, instead of relying on memorized catch-phrases (or naming places in the news that seem like particularly antithetical examples).
Just for clarifications, the text I quoted above are some of the lyrics to Roy Zimmerman's song "America" (I had the great pleasure of meeting him back in 2004 after a small intimate show in LA - I was instantly hooked!).
Also, no one has been able to answer my quiz yet!
Quiz Question:
Where is the largest 4th of July celebration outside the US held?
Kobold Cleaver! Your Alive! :) How did you survive the abduction?Happy 4th indeed. Just, please be careful out there with the drinking and the blowing stuff up today. I love the holiday, hate the accidents.What? No blow stuff up?
Run!!!
*Flees to bomb, blows on it*
The aliens intended to enslave us all, but fortunatly for us they abducted me, a S/\/\RF and the Pigeons.
The aliens intended to enslave us all, but fortunatly for us they abducted me, a S/\/\RF and the Pigeons.Kobold Cleaver! Your Alive! :) How did you survive the abduction?Happy 4th indeed. Just, please be careful out there with the drinking and the blowing stuff up today. I love the holiday, hate the accidents.What? No blow stuff up?
Run!!!
*Flees to bomb, blows on it*
...one look at us and they decided to enslave someone else. KC is ugly.
...one look at us and they decided to enslave someone else. KC is ugly.The aliens intended to enslave us all, but fortunatly for us they abducted me, a S/\/\RF and the Pigeons.Kobold Cleaver! Your Alive! :) How did you survive the abduction?Happy 4th indeed. Just, please be careful out there with the drinking and the blowing stuff up today. I love the holiday, hate the accidents.What? No blow stuff up?
Run!!!
*Flees to bomb, blows on it*
I think they also saw Heathy.
Also, no one has been able to answer my quiz yet!
Quiz Question:
Where is the largest 4th of July celebration outside the US held?Geneva.
Yeah, of course I googled it...
It would seem then that there are mixed facts about this...
The 4th of July celebrations held here in Denmark, at Rebild Bakker, are being touted as the largest event outside the US.These celebrations started back in 1912 and have had many prominent US personalities as guests speakers (Walter Cronkite, Walt Disney, Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey and Raymond Burr, just to name a few).
Patrick Curtin
(Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Roleplaying Game, Campaign Setting, Companion, Battles Case Subscriber)
Happy Birthday America! It's been a weird 233 years! You still look good for your age! Not a day over 100 ...
Washington torched our family farm forcing us to move to Canada because we refused to support his terrorist army with food and supplies. What is the interest on a Square mile of New York State for 233 years?
Patrick Curtin
(Pathfinder Adventure Path Charter Subscriber; Roleplaying Game, Campaign Setting, Companion, Battles Case Subscriber)
Happy Independence Day, you ruddy Colonials! We're glad we got rid of you!Yes we were quite happy to see the backside of you imperialist monarchists as well.
:D
I'm sure you were. We all have cute backsides, after all! Either way, I'm enjoying a BBQ, looking at pictures of American Girls, drinking some Budweiser and planning on watching Independence Day later tonight. Go Yanks!
