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Events around the world are giving this year's Fourth of July observance more than a passing glance.
In a recent (but unscientific) LVN Web poll, 59.2 percent of the respondents indicated the Fourth of July was a chance to reflect on this country's struggle for independence. Let's hope that those going on a long three-day weekend to water ski or camp also put Saturday into perspective.
The Declaration of Independence passed by the Second Continental Congress 233 years ago gave the struggling colonies their independence from Great Britain.
Much has happened since the first week of July 1776 when the Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to hammer out a document.
• The colonists eventually won their war against the British, only to face England again during the War of 1812.
• A great Civil War almost destroyed the country, but President Lincoln vowed to keep the Union together.
• Two World Wars occurred in the 20th century, costing tens of thousands of U.S. servicemen and women their lives.
• The past 59 years have also been tumultuous with the Korean and Vietnam wars and the global wars on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Although many Americans debate the direction in which this country is heading, the basis for the free exchange of ideas can be attributed to 1776 when many prominent men put their lives on the line for treason by ratifying the Declaration of Independence.
During the past year, the United States conducted national, state and local elections — with civility — that did not produce widespread rioting in the streets like we witnessed for the past two weeks in Iran.
On the contrary ... in this country thousands of Americans assembled respectfully on April 15 during the first Tea Party to protest fiscal irresponsibility, and another protest is planned nationwide — including one here in Fallon on July 4 — to object to the Congressional spending bills.
We take our freedoms for granted; others are not so fortunate.
Several days ago, the Honduran military ousted its president in a coup because he wanted to seek a change in the constitution to allow him another term.
Thankfully, we don't live under a dictatorship like the citizens of Iran and North Korea and many other countries where one-man rule places a stranglehold on the citizens.
We don't live in a society where the government keeps a tight Big Brother watch over its citizens like China or Cuba or Russia.
The United States is not perfect, but we have a system in place that gives its citizens a way in which to express their support or outrage in a civilized manner.
As our readers responded, we should never lose focus on why we celebrate the Fourth of July and what it has meant to Americans for 233 years.
Editorials are written by the LVN Editorial Board and appear on Wednesdays.
In a recent (but unscientific) LVN Web poll, 59.2 percent of the respondents indicated the Fourth of July was a chance to reflect on this country's struggle for independence. Let's hope that those going on a long three-day weekend to water ski or camp also put Saturday into perspective.
The Declaration of Independence passed by the Second Continental Congress 233 years ago gave the struggling colonies their independence from Great Britain.
Much has happened since the first week of July 1776 when the Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to hammer out a document.
• The colonists eventually won their war against the British, only to face England again during the War of 1812.
• A great Civil War almost destroyed the country, but President Lincoln vowed to keep the Union together.
• Two World Wars occurred in the 20th century, costing tens of thousands of U.S. servicemen and women their lives.
• The past 59 years have also been tumultuous with the Korean and Vietnam wars and the global wars on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Although many Americans debate the direction in which this country is heading, the basis for the free exchange of ideas can be attributed to 1776 when many prominent men put their lives on the line for treason by ratifying the Declaration of Independence.
During the past year, the United States conducted national, state and local elections — with civility — that did not produce widespread rioting in the streets like we witnessed for the past two weeks in Iran.
On the contrary ... in this country thousands of Americans assembled respectfully on April 15 during the first Tea Party to protest fiscal irresponsibility, and another protest is planned nationwide — including one here in Fallon on July 4 — to object to the Congressional spending bills.
We take our freedoms for granted; others are not so fortunate.
Several days ago, the Honduran military ousted its president in a coup because he wanted to seek a change in the constitution to allow him another term.
Thankfully, we don't live under a dictatorship like the citizens of Iran and North Korea and many other countries where one-man rule places a stranglehold on the citizens.
We don't live in a society where the government keeps a tight Big Brother watch over its citizens like China or Cuba or Russia.
The United States is not perfect, but we have a system in place that gives its citizens a way in which to express their support or outrage in a civilized manner.
As our readers responded, we should never lose focus on why we celebrate the Fourth of July and what it has meant to Americans for 233 years.
Editorials are written by the LVN Editorial Board and appear on Wednesdays.
