Independence Day July 4th 2014

Happy 4th of July to all our American neighbours! Canada in many ways is fortunate to have our neighbours to the south. Throughout our long relationship, we have got along quite well. Maybe because back in the War of 1812 when the true north got riled up, and got as far south as Washington DC, our neighbours have remembered.

On July 4th, the United States celebrates its independence from Britain.

Over the years many Americans have said or done things that history remembers…

“How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!” — Thomas Jefferson.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived” – General George S. Patton.

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” – John F. Kennedy.

“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why… I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” – Robert F. Kennedy.

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Perhaps the longest lasting and shortest political speech of all time…

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

“Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” – President Abraham Lincoln.

“Oh, justice will be served and the battle will rage;
This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage;
And you’ll be sorry that you messed with the U.S. of A.;
‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass, it’s the American way” Toby Keith, American musician.

The United States is headed into a three day long summer weekend to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

May our neighbours have a safe, fun and freedom filled holiday.

Happy Birthday America!

James Murray