Larry (InOBU), that was brilliant!

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 of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

I'll stop there, as it's pretty long. The whole thing (and a first draft) is at www.ushistory.org. For me, July 4th is a day to remember the ideals of a new and hopeful nation, and a time to think about where we are now in the fulfillment of those ideals.

Larry (InOBU), that was brilliant! Perhaps, it's not a July 5th thing, and July 4th should simply fall on the closest Monday like so many of our holidays. Next year, it WILL be on a Mon, but in 2006, the 4th of July will be on the 3rd. Makes sense to me.