Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Call it Independence Day, not the 4th of July.


It happens every year... People say "Have a good 4th!" or "Happy 4th of July". Stores have "4th of July Sales". Why is it people don't call Christmas "the 25th of December", but yet people call Independence Day "the 4th of July"?

Maybe because a lot of Americans have forgotten what the holiday is actually celebrating? Maybe because they never knew in the first place? Maybe they are so busy with celebrity tabloid pop idol reality TV worship and video games that they've never taken the time to actually read The Declaration of Independence to know what our founding Father's were declaring independence from? What it was they put their lives and the lives of their families at risk to break free from?

Maybe, just maybe, they have no clue they wouldn't have the freedom to sit around clueless and distracted by the latest pop tune, game or celebrity breakup if it wasn't for a few great men they probably wouldn't even be able to name. Or for that matter, wouldn't even let in their house, because (God forbid) their hair is over their collar, (gasp!) or they read the Bible and own a gun.

Well in case your history teacher forgot to tell you, this nation was founded by a bunch of long-haired Bible quoting disgruntled guys with guns. Not unlike metal, America is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when you tick off a bunch of armed long hairs with a tendency to quote the Bible.

Anyway, happy Independence Day. Remember why. If you don't know, take 5 minutes and find out why. If you get a chance, google Declaration of Independence and read it. Hopefully you'll see the entire Revolution was over things far less oppressive than what most Americans just except as the norm because they are hypnotized by the trivial pop entertainment culture and media.

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