Happy Independence Day!

[RJDiogenes]

^^ All friends, of course. But I just don't understand how people can deny the place of America in the history of Humanity. Since civilization began, there have always been the cultures that stood out among the rest or represented a quantum leap forward-- Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece et al-- and the United States is simply the latest-- and, so far, the greatest. The American Revolution didn't just create a new country; it changed the course of Human history. Someday, perhaps, there will be an even greater civilization. I certainly hope so, because the betterment of Mankind is what it's all about.

I agree with everything except the last part. Don't confuse people with process. Sure, we're all human and of equal worth. What makes America great is our form of government, the Democratic Republic, and those who have protected it.

That's exactly right. All people are created equal, but all governments are not-- America is great because it's based on the principle that all people are created equal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETroXvRFoKY&feature=related


Reading of The Declaration of Independence.

Nice. That goes on my favorites list.

 

[Finn]

bloody fireworks. Wish I didn't hafta get up at 5:30 AM.

Five-fucking-thirty in the morning? Do you work on a fishing boat?

That's not unusual. If one takes a shower, have breakfast, get dressed, take the dog out, Make sure the kids are dressed or have someone to look after them, and all set for summer school/camp/whatever they are doing, and takes at least half an hour to get to work(not very unusual these days), one would need to get up around then if one needs to be at work between seven and eight.

 

[Pingfah]

^^ All friends, of course. But I just don't understand how people can deny the place of America in the history of Humanity. Since civilization began, there have always been the cultures that stood out among the rest or represented a quantum leap forward-- Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece et al-- and the United States is simply the latest-- and, so far, the greatest. The American Revolution didn't just create a new country; it changed the course of Human history. Someday, perhaps, there will be an even greater civilization. I certainly hope so, because the betterment of Mankind is what it's all about.

Im not sure anybody has questioned that have they? It's hard to argue the importance of America and the values it is founded on.

The disgruntlement in the thread seems to stem from the asinine suggestion T'Girl made that Americans themselves are superior people to those from other countries, which is a patently silly and childish comment to make.

 

[Lor'Vela]

I've been a member of several forums and I can't recall that any "Happy Independance Day" thread has ever ended on a good note for reasons already listed.

Still, happy birthday America.

 

[Nardpuncher]

^^ All friends, of course. But I just don't understand how people can deny the place of America in the history of Humanity. Since civilization began, there have always been the cultures that stood out among the rest or represented a quantum leap forward-- Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece et al-- and the United States is simply the latest-- and, so far, the greatest. The American Revolution didn't just create a new country; it changed the course of Human history. Someday, perhaps, there will be an even greater civilization. I certainly hope so, because the betterment of Mankind is what it's all about.

I agree with everything except the last part. Don't confuse people with process. Sure, we're all human and of equal worth. What makes America great is our form of government, the Democratic Republic, and those who have protected it.

That's exactly right. All people are created equal, but all governments are not-- America is great because it's based on the principle that all people are created equal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETroXvRFoKY&feature=related


Reading of The Declaration of Independence.

Nice. That goes on my favorites list.

Well said RJ.
I'm a Canadian, but we should all recognize that the birth of America was not an accident, and that all of us are in a way, very fortunate that what happened over 200 years ago happened.
I was just reading about the North Korean soccer players and what their fate may possibly have been and when you bring this up with people born in a country that respects individuality and freedom, our minds balk at it. We are so blessedly conditioned to see that sort of control by the government as unfathomable.

 

[Nardpuncher]

Oh, here's something I think may be appropriate:


[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLc60Sgnzhg[/yt]

 

[ares93]

^^ All friends, of course. But I just don't understand how people can deny the place of America in the history of Humanity. Since civilization began, there have always been the cultures that stood out among the rest or represented a quantum leap forward-- Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece et al-- and the United States is simply the latest-- and, so far, the greatest. The American Revolution didn't just create a new country; it changed the course of Human history. Someday, perhaps, there will be an even greater civilization. I certainly hope so, because the betterment of Mankind is what it's all about.

I'm not denying America's place in anything. i simply resent the thought that american's are better just because they're american. yes, America is a great country but you aren't superior just because of that. You define how good you are from what you have done, not where you come from. and its not only americans i'm aiming at. i have the same issue with anyone who claims that their country makes them better then anyone else. let them be americans or hungarians, germans and swedes. its the same thing.

 

[Nardpuncher]

^^ All friends, of course. But I just don't understand how people can deny the place of America in the history of Humanity. Since civilization began, there have always been the cultures that stood out among the rest or represented a quantum leap forward-- Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece et al-- and the United States is simply the latest-- and, so far, the greatest. The American Revolution didn't just create a new country; it changed the course of Human history. Someday, perhaps, there will be an even greater civilization. I certainly hope so, because the betterment of Mankind is what it's all about.

I'm not denying America's place in anything. i simply resent the thought that american's are better just because they're american. yes, America is a great country but you aren't superior just because of that. You define how good you are from what you have done, not where you come from. and its not only americans i'm aiming at. i have the same issue with anyone who claims that their country makes them better then anyone else. let them be americans or hungarians, germans and swedes. its the same thing.

Let it drop and enjoy the music baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

bloody fireworks. Wish I didn't hafta get up at 5:30 AM.

Five-fucking-thirty in the morning? Do you work on a fishing boat?

That's not unusual. If one takes a shower, have breakfast, get dressed, take the dog out, Make sure the kids are dressed or have someone to look after them, and all set for summer school/camp/whatever they are doing, and takes at least half an hour to get to work(not very unusual these days), one would need to get up around then if one needs to be at work between seven and eight.

And of course my idiot neighbors are exceptionally loud with the fireworks. I would have welcomed a hot line to snitch on them (fireworks are illegal in this city).

 

[scotpens]

Five-fucking-thirty in the morning? Do you work on a fishing boat?

That's not unusual. If one takes a shower, have breakfast, get dressed, take the dog out, Make sure the kids are dressed or have someone to look after them, and all set for summer school/camp/whatever they are doing, and takes at least half an hour to get to work (not very unusual these days), one would need to get up around then if one needs to be at work between seven and eight.

I don't eat breakfast. I don't have a dog. I don't have kids. I'm usually at work by nine, and it's only a fifteen-minute drive from my home. And Jews don't get up at goddamn five-thirty in the morning!

 

[Thor Damar]

Happy belated forth of July to you guys.Thanks for the Simpsons, Bill Hicks, Hunter S Thompson and Mark Twain to name but a few.

You did dunk our tea in the river though....

Have a good one you wacky colonials!

 

[RoJoHen]

You did dunk our tea in the river though....

That's just because coffee is way better.

 

[RJDiogenes]

Im not sure anybody has questioned that have they? It's hard to argue the importance of America and the values it is founded on.

The disgruntlement in the thread seems to stem from the asinine suggestion T'Girl made that Americans themselves are superior people to those from other countries, which is a patently silly and childish comment to make.

I'm not denying America's place in anything. i simply resent the thought that american's are better just because they're american. yes, America is a great country but you aren't superior just because of that. You define how good you are from what you have done, not where you come from. and its not only americans i'm aiming at. i have the same issue with anyone who claims that their country makes them better then anyone else. let them be americans or hungarians, germans and swedes. its the same thing.

That's why I pointed out that one of our most important values is the belief that all people are equal-- Americans can't believe they are better than everyone else, otherwise they're not being very good Americans.

Of course, some people who live here do believe that (just as there are people here who are un-American in other ways), but perhaps the offending comment was just badly phrased.

Well said RJ.

Thank you.