View From The Ditch Bank

4 JULY 1776--I could probably write several blogs of considerable length on this and related subjects. I am going to try to hold it to two blogs of shorter length. I assume that most who actually peruse this blog have actually read the Declaration of Independence at least once. If not, I suggest that you do so. I will refrain from going into details that brought about this Declaration, and hope that each of you are aware of the events that conspired to bring this about. I will quote just a bit of this Declaration. It begins "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United states of America When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying as its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness." There is more and then the Declaration lists the many disputes the colonies have against the King of England and how they have been treated. I will paraphrase the ending of the Declaration, in which the writers and signers said We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends........And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." It was then signed by 56 men from the 13 Colonies.

The war that came then raged for several years, and it wasn't until in the 1780's that the war and the declared Independence was won. There is a saying now that goes---Freedom isn't Free. That is true now, but is never more true than it was in 1776. I encourage all to contemplate this fact, and remember all who have given their time, and their lives, to keep this country free. I hope all have the courage to stand in defense of this country and what it stands for in the face of those who hate this country and would like to see it fall. These people were there in 1776 and they are here today, in and out of this country. I hope we all keep these things in mind as we go into this holiday season, and remember why we celebrate. And that is the View From The Ditch Bank.