http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821 This is from the guy that some here&nbsp;said hates America. &nbsp; July 3, 2009 &nbsp; Hello America, Here it is, another Fourth of July.&nbsp;Traditionally, this is a day to gather with friends, maybe fire up the barbeque and play with kids until the sun sets and the fireworks start.&nbsp;But in thinking back on the meaning behind this day, we must never forget that our nation was baptized in the blaze of a very different kind of &quot;fireworks.&quot;&nbsp;Yes, this is a day of rest and relaxation, as well it should be, but this year&hellip;I'd like to ask you a favor.&nbsp;At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4th of July -- our Independence Day.&nbsp;Of course the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 but it's so much more than that.&nbsp;On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk. Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment.&nbsp;By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government.&nbsp;They became marked men, and willingly so.&nbsp;As I was doing some research on the significance of July 4th, I came across some interesting facts about these men.&nbsp;Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence: Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.&nbsp;Twelve had their homes burned to the ground.&nbsp;Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured.&nbsp;Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War. &nbsp; If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for &quot;regular&quot; Americans to change the course of history, remember:&nbsp;The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim. &nbsp; Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners.&nbsp;They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants.&nbsp;They did it anyway, and God bless them for it. &nbsp; As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted.&nbsp;Too many have given too much.&nbsp;In the words of the Signers themselves, &quot;For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.&quot; &nbsp; Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor -- I think that's a price paid worth a few minutes of reflection, don't you?&nbsp;But let's not be solemn in that reflection.&nbsp;I say rejoice and share this information with your friends and family, especially your kids.&nbsp;The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but I say that we show our thanks with a pledge of our own: &nbsp;To remember, to be grateful, and to carry on in their spirit.&nbsp;America is the greatest country this world has ever and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as &quot;we the people&quot; remember that just like in 1776. &nbsp; It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down. &nbsp; Happy Independence Day, and God bless America. &nbsp; Glenn This is from the guy that some here&nbsp;said hates America. &nbsp; July 3, 2009 &nbsp; Hello America, Here it is, another Fourth of July.&nbsp;Traditionally, this is a day to gather with friends, maybe fire up the barbeque and play with kids until the sun sets and the fireworks start.&nbsp;But in thinking back on the meaning behind this day, we must never forget that our nation was baptized in the blaze of a very different kind of &quot;fireworks.&quot;&nbsp;Yes, this is a day of rest and relaxation, as well it should be, but this year&hellip;I'd like to ask you a favor.&nbsp;At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4th of July -- our Independence Day.&nbsp;Of course the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 but it's so much more than that.&nbsp;On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk. Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment.&nbsp;By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government.&nbsp;They became marked men, and willingly so.&nbsp;As I was doing some research on the significance of July 4th, I came across some interesting facts about these men.&nbsp;Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence: Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.&nbsp;Twelve had their homes burned to the ground.&nbsp;Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured.&nbsp;Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War. &nbsp; If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for &quot;regular&quot; Americans to change the course of history, remember:&nbsp;The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim. &nbsp; Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners.&nbsp;They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants.&nbsp;They did it anyway, and God bless them for it. &nbsp; As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted.&nbsp;Too many have given too much.&nbsp;In the words of the Signers themselves, &quot;For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.&quot; &nbsp; Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor -- I think that's a price paid worth a few minutes of reflection, don't you?&nbsp;But let's not be solemn in that reflection.&nbsp;I say rejoice and share this information with your friends and family, especially your kids.&nbsp;The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but I say that we show our thanks with a pledge of our own: &nbsp;To remember, to be grateful, and to carry on in their spirit.&nbsp;America is the greatest country this world has ever and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as &quot;we the people&quot; remember that just like in 1776. &nbsp; It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down. &nbsp; Happy Independence Day, and God bless America. &nbsp; Glenn en-us Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:06:33 PDT <p>I&nbsp;think the overall point of the &quot;letter&quot; makes sense and has a good message.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418713 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418713 <p>I&nbsp;think the overall point of the &quot;letter&quot; makes sense and has a good message.</p> <p>Just goes to show, Nancy, that we can't put words in somebody else's mouth -- not even Glenn Beck's.&nbsp;</p> <p>I must say I watch Beck when I can; he never once struck me as someone who would ever be accused by anybody of not loving America.&nbsp; To me he's as American as baseball, apple pie, all that good stuff.&nbsp;</p> <p>Happy Independence Day!</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418737 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418737 <p>Just goes to show, Nancy, that we can't put words in somebody else's mouth -- not even Glenn Beck's.&nbsp;</p> <p>I must say I watch Beck when I can; he never once struck me as someone who would ever be accused by anybody of not loving America.&nbsp; To me he's as American as baseball, apple pie, all that good stuff.&nbsp;</p> <p>Happy Independence Day!</p> <p>Thank you FSG.&nbsp; I got a response from email asking who I thought wrote it for him.&nbsp; My ansers is a question ..does it matter?&nbsp; If I&nbsp;had removed Becks name would people agree with it?</p> <p>I really wish I&nbsp;had, it would have been interesting to see how many felt the same way without the&nbsp;bias against right wing talk show hosts.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418743 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418743 <p>Thank you FSG.&nbsp; I got a response from email asking who I thought wrote it for him.&nbsp; My ansers is a question ..does it matter?&nbsp; If I&nbsp;had removed Becks name would people agree with it?</p> <p>I really wish I&nbsp;had, it would have been interesting to see how many felt the same way without the&nbsp;bias against right wing talk show hosts.</p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff">&nbsp;I'd like to ask you a favor.&nbsp;At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4^{<font size="1">th</font>} of July -- our Independence Day</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">OK I can do that.&nbsp; I was planning on doing it anyway before Glenn Beck mentioned it.&nbsp;&nbsp; Anyway, I'm glad it's not&nbsp; the favor&nbsp; I thought he was going to ask for......kicking an illegal alien in the keester.&nbsp;&nbsp; Whew, big relief!</span></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418747 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418747 <p><span style="color: #0000ff">&nbsp;I'd like to ask you a favor.&nbsp;At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4^{<font size="1">th</font>} of July -- our Independence Day</span></p> <p><span style="color: #000000">OK I can do that.&nbsp; I was planning on doing it anyway before Glenn Beck mentioned it.&nbsp;&nbsp; Anyway, I'm glad it's not&nbsp; the favor&nbsp; I thought he was going to ask for......kicking an illegal alien in the keester.&nbsp;&nbsp; Whew, big relief!</span></p> <p>As with most things these days, the average American lacks a real sense of understanding, compassion or respect for our&nbsp;Nation's history.</p> <p><br /> I'll admit, Beck didn't ask anything of me that I don't already do, but it goes to show you just how sad our society has become, that someone such as he would need to write such a &quot;letter.&quot;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418748 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418748 <p>As with most things these days, the average American lacks a real sense of understanding, compassion or respect for our&nbsp;Nation's history.</p> <p><br /> I'll admit, Beck didn't ask anything of me that I don't already do, but it goes to show you just how sad our society has become, that someone such as he would need to write such a &quot;letter.&quot;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">What else are we celebrating <u>but</u>&nbsp; Independence from Britain? Not something I need reminding about.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">I still think not questioning what that man said on his program was wrong.</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">He is not any more un-American than I am,more importantly no more American than other American.<br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">I pray( whatever word suits you here) each and everyday for no loss of life~ not more. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Especially to prove a political &quot;point&quot;.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418750 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418750 <p><span style="font-size: medium;">What else are we celebrating <u>but</u>&nbsp; Independence from Britain? Not something I need reminding about.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">I still think not questioning what that man said on his program was wrong.</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">He is not any more un-American than I am,more importantly no more American than other American.<br /> </span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">I pray( whatever word suits you here) each and everyday for no loss of life~ not more. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Especially to prove a political &quot;point&quot;.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Nancy:&nbsp; I think Beck is fairly capable of writing the letter; a book he wrote was just published.&nbsp; I would go so far as to say that it's likely Beck did write the letter.&nbsp; But as you said, what does it matter?&nbsp; The words are moving.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418751 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418751 <p>Nancy:&nbsp; I think Beck is fairly capable of writing the letter; a book he wrote was just published.&nbsp; I would go so far as to say that it's likely Beck did write the letter.&nbsp; But as you said, what does it matter?&nbsp; The words are moving.</p> <p>Just not feeling it this year.&nbsp; Not celebrating it, either.&nbsp; Not for any particular reason.&nbsp; Well, maybe 'cause it's 99 degrees outside.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418754 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418754 <p>Just not feeling it this year.&nbsp; Not celebrating it, either.&nbsp; Not for any particular reason.&nbsp; Well, maybe 'cause it's 99 degrees outside.</p> <p>Dont feel bad, Cat. I don't celebrate it either.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like the day off, though.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418757 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418757 <p>Dont feel bad, Cat. I don't celebrate it either.&nbsp;</p> <p>I like the day off, though.</p> <p>Thanks, jfrancais.&nbsp; Coming from you, it means a lot.&nbsp; Don't know what's wrong with me lately.&nbsp; Maybe I'll celebrate twice as much next year.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418759 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418759 <p>Thanks, jfrancais.&nbsp; Coming from you, it means a lot.&nbsp; Don't know what's wrong with me lately.&nbsp; Maybe I'll celebrate twice as much next year.</p> <p>I'll confess to not liking this holiday much.&nbsp;&nbsp; I just don't like the heat, I don't like flies on my food while sweat's running down my back and I can't find a cool place to sit.&nbsp; I&nbsp;don't like the smell or the loud noises of firecrackers.</p> <p>I do love the arial displays and I&nbsp;love being with my family.&nbsp; I love my country and love the history of it.&nbsp; With those two sentiments, I will hang my flag out tomorrow and go to Marks neighborhood BBQ.&nbsp; And as I&nbsp;always have been, show that I am PROUD of my country.&nbsp; Warts and all.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418760 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418760 <p>I'll confess to not liking this holiday much.&nbsp;&nbsp; I just don't like the heat, I don't like flies on my food while sweat's running down my back and I can't find a cool place to sit.&nbsp; I&nbsp;don't like the smell or the loud noises of firecrackers.</p> <p>I do love the arial displays and I&nbsp;love being with my family.&nbsp; I love my country and love the history of it.&nbsp; With those two sentiments, I will hang my flag out tomorrow and go to Marks neighborhood BBQ.&nbsp; And as I&nbsp;always have been, show that I am PROUD of my country.&nbsp; Warts and all.</p> <p>My grandmother was born on July 4th so it was always a festive event growing up but she's been gone for 17 years now.&nbsp; It's just not the same.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also feel wierd being in large groups around fireworks.&nbsp; I have flashbacks to being in Tal Afar and my year (2005-06) in Mosul.&nbsp; I saw enough fireworks to last a lifetime.&nbsp; To say the least, fireworks don't impress me much.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418768 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418768 <p>My grandmother was born on July 4th so it was always a festive event growing up but she's been gone for 17 years now.&nbsp; It's just not the same.&nbsp;</p> <p>I also feel wierd being in large groups around fireworks.&nbsp; I have flashbacks to being in Tal Afar and my year (2005-06) in Mosul.&nbsp; I saw enough fireworks to last a lifetime.&nbsp; To say the least, fireworks don't impress me much.</p> <p>Let's put it this way, I love the thoughts behind the 4th, but I don't much like how most people choose to celebrate it. If more people put time into thinking about the concepts and less time into partying, I'd like the whole holiday a lot more.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418772 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418772 <p>Let's put it this way, I love the thoughts behind the 4th, but I don't much like how most people choose to celebrate it. If more people put time into thinking about the concepts and less time into partying, I'd like the whole holiday a lot more.</p> <p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bmpFCwZbwM&amp;feature=player_embedded</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's a clip we can all call sweet.</span></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418795 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418795 <p>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bmpFCwZbwM&amp;feature=player_embedded</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's a clip we can all call sweet.</span></p> <p>Between convention business, some delegates would muse what their last words at the gallows would be. Considering the odds the founding of our country overcame, one could think Providence was on our side.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418837 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418837 <p>Between convention business, some delegates would muse what their last words at the gallows would be. Considering the odds the founding of our country overcame, one could think Providence was on our side.</p> <p>I wish all Liberals would watch Glen Beck a few times. I think they would find him entertaining and factual. True, they would not agree with much of what he says but he backs up the majority of his statements.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418839 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418839 <p>I wish all Liberals would watch Glen Beck a few times. I think they would find him entertaining and factual. True, they would not agree with much of what he says but he backs up the majority of his statements.</p> <p><strong>YOU SENT THIS TO ME IN AN E-MAIL I SENT IT TO A LOT OF MY FRIENDS,I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT</strong>&nbsp;</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418845 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418845 <p><strong>YOU SENT THIS TO ME IN AN E-MAIL I SENT IT TO A LOT OF MY FRIENDS,I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>Glenn Beck is a total fraud.</p> <br /> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418948 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_418948 <p>Glenn Beck is a total fraud.</p> <br /> <p>This <em>holiday</em>, like every other <em>holiday </em>has been commercialized. From sending Valentine cards to Christmas cards. There is nothing wrong with firiing up the grill and watching fireworks...just like Beck will do.</p> <p>Five were tortured. But Beck supports torture of detainees, right?</p> <p>My God people, Beck is an entertainer. Just a regular guy who realized that if you exploit a particular segment of society, you can GET PAID!!!</p> <p>He knows no more than you do. He has a producer to feed it to him, but he's not smarter than you. He is not more patriotic than you. How many on this site alone served their country? Where was he when you were in boot camp doing push-ups all damn day? Where was he when you were deployed away from your family? Where was he when you were getting shot at, shot or seeing your Brothers shot?</p> <p>Hey, do what you do, but do it because it's what you think is best to do. Not because some guy on the boob tube pens a letter. You're better than that.</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_419029 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_419029 <p>This <em>holiday</em>, like every other <em>holiday </em>has been commercialized. From sending Valentine cards to Christmas cards. There is nothing wrong with firiing up the grill and watching fireworks...just like Beck will do.</p> <p>Five were tortured. But Beck supports torture of detainees, right?</p> <p>My God people, Beck is an entertainer. Just a regular guy who realized that if you exploit a particular segment of society, you can GET PAID!!!</p> <p>He knows no more than you do. He has a producer to feed it to him, but he's not smarter than you. He is not more patriotic than you. How many on this site alone served their country? Where was he when you were in boot camp doing push-ups all damn day? Where was he when you were deployed away from your family? Where was he when you were getting shot at, shot or seeing your Brothers shot?</p> <p>Hey, do what you do, but do it because it's what you think is best to do. Not because some guy on the boob tube pens a letter. You're better than that.</p> <p>Let's keep those Marines over in Afghanistan in our minds and hearts as we celebrate the holiday today.&nbsp; They are performing an arduous task today in the name of the American people and government.&nbsp; They are being asked to give a lot.</p> <p><em>Most&nbsp;give some. Some give most.</em></p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_419176 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_419176 <p>Let's keep those Marines over in Afghanistan in our minds and hearts as we celebrate the holiday today.&nbsp; They are performing an arduous task today in the name of the American people and government.&nbsp; They are being asked to give a lot.</p> <p><em>Most&nbsp;give some. Some give most.</em></p> <p> &quot;It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down.&quot;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;can someone explain to me what that even means? who are the &quot;us&quot;? who are the &quot;them&quot;? and what are we not backing down from?</p> http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_419255 http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/NancyII/46821/#c_419255 <p> &quot;It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down.&quot;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;can someone explain to me what that even means? who are the &quot;us&quot;? who are the &quot;them&quot;? and what are we not backing down from?</p>