236 years ago today, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress…after defeating an amendment to name the new country, “Cool Dude Nation”.

In this era of hyper-partisanship and corporate-owned politicians, it may seem almost surreal to think back to the founding of America and the shared goals Americans shared then…though I’m sure there must have been some Earl Grey Tea Party members who insisted that all regulations against England dominating America should be removed and freedom will trickle down to Americans.

So today, we celebrate our nation’s independence from the domination of the greedy, religiously-driven, war loving,  super-wealthy and anti-democratic tyrants. Good thing that’s all behind us now!

Share your thoughts, quotes, graphics, videos and/or music that celebrate independence, freedom and America!

Liberty is Too Precious a Thing – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

All Men Are Created Equal – To Kill a Mocking Bird

America – Simon and Garfunkel

American Girl – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

American Woman – Lenny Kravitz

American Idiot – Green Day

Rocking in the Free World – Neil Young

47
Leave a Comment

Please Login to comment
19 Comment threads
28 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
9 Comment authors
SueInCakesmarnchoiceladyAlphaBitchKalima Recent comment authors
  Subscribe  
newest oldest most voted
Notify of
SueInCa
Member

Did everyone hear about San Diego’s fireworks? It was the beginning and the finale in one fell swoop. that is what happens when a county turns republican, the f-ups start.

KillgoreTrout
Member

[img]http://www.caglecartoons.com/media/cartoons/81/2012/07/03/114550_600.jpg[/img]

choicelady
Member

AdLib – Lovely post. However, in the interests of historical accuracy, I must assert that it was originally debated that we would be called Ye Olde Cool Dude Nation.

Fidelity to fact is the essence of intellect.

Otherwise, excellent way to celebrate the day!

bito
Member

The President Delivers Remarks at Independence Day Celebration

AlphaBitch
Member
AlphaBitch

Bruce Springsteen, followed by the man himself, Woody Guthrie: This Land is Your Land. Dedicated to my children throughout this tough old world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yuc4BI5NWU&feature=related

foodchain
Member
foodchain

I am thankful for freedom from speech—-from all the HP FOX etc. speech that harms us all. And I am thankful for this, for planetpov and it’s quality of information, compassion and kinship!

I’m just busy right noe but appreciate beinghere. KABoom, Starburst, Sparklers!!

Kalima
Admin

A little late but just wanted to say HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY to everyone at The Planet, and to Americans who remember the true meaning of this day. Those who try to strive for it and maintain it through words or actions all over the world.

foodchain
Member
foodchain

🙂

bito
Member

Hello Kalima, so very nice to see you. Democracy can be messy and it does at times take daily vigilance to maintain some type of balance.
Hope your day was kind to you, you deserve it.

kesmarn
Admin

Thank you so much, Kalima! Hope the day was a peaceful one for you.

This day has always been a bit vexed for me, if I’m really honest. I do love this country a great deal, but I worry when I see the amount of gushing sentimentality that some folks indulge in on days like his, at the same time that they fiercely resist any actual sacrifice for their country. They don’t want to pay taxes. They don’t want their children to fight the wars they advocate. They don’t want to be responsible for the poor, the elderly, the ill. They don’t even want to drive a vehicle that doesn’t consume huge amounts of gas.

Sentiment without sacrifice. That’s patriotism RW-style.

That said, like you, I admire Americans — like our president — who remember the true meaning of this day.

foodchain
Member
foodchain

Kes, so true, but it’s people like Obama (and people here) that demonstrate just why we need to keep “fighting”. I’m on my husband about the “silent majority” that go on every day doing their best without complaint. If only these good men and women would stand up and leave the bleating RW in the dust!

kesmarn
Admin

You said it, fc! This country has millions of decent people who work hard and deserve better than what Mitt and his cronies are trying to sell them.

bito
Member

Independence Day Celebration from the White House–Live

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

bito
Member

Cool fireworks!

bito
Member

America the Beautiful

Musician Keb Mo recently visited the White House and performed his bluesy rendition of “America the Beautiful” in the East Reception Room. Enjoy some great scenes of America and the President set to this classic song in celebration of Independence Day.

bito
Member

To get you in the mood for tonight.
4th of July at the White House 2011

You can watch the concert beginning tonight, just after 8:00 on WhiteHouse.gov/live, and if you stick around, you’ll get a great view of the National Mall fireworks show — from the South Lawn of the White House.

bito
Member

Happy Birthday to Malia Obama!

foodchain
Member
foodchain

bito, all you’ve posted AND a birthday! Well, I will smile on this.

bito
Member

AdLib, You mention “shared goals” and with that comes shared responsibilities.
While in the New England colonies the beginnings of the War for Independence” had already started other colonies were still debating, including Virginia. It took Patrick Henry’s fiery, inspirational speeches to convince the assembly that they did indeed have shared goals. Who hasn’t heard his famous line “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!”
It not only inspired the Virginians then but it inspires some now with their “Don’t Tread on Me” slogans
As we have learned, after his barn burning speech, Virginia joind the war with the rest of the colonies. A “Shared Goal!” A common good.

The next order of business the assembly took up was raising funds(taxes) to pay for the shared goal. Shared Sacrifice

KillgoreTrout
Member

Jimi Hendrick’s Star Spangled Banner;

KillgoreTrout
Member

Traffic–Freedom Rider;