Independence Day is appropriately celebrated every year. It is said no other country can so clearly mark its actual day of creation. One thing that has distinguished us besides “liberty and justice for all” is our cultural sense of humor. Seems to me that freedom of speech allows and encourages us to poke fun at yourself, our leaders, and each other. Sometimes it is in good humor, sometimes cynical or even mean spirited but regardless it is an American freedom that has spread across the planet. Freedom of speech is powerful!
Joe asked the cart person during our July 4th golf experience – Do you know why there are no American knock knock jokes? It is because Freedom Rings. I was also reminded of our sense of humor with this card statement. “Happy-Hear fireworks all-day and night-being set off by by drunk people you wouldn’t trust with a glow stick- day.” Yes, freedom has a few downsides. Stephen Colbert quipped, It’s Fourth of July weekend or as I call it, exploding Christmas.” We older folks remember Groucho Marx who correctly pointed out “all people are born alike except Republicans and Democrats.” And to conclude Jon Stewart says “you wonder sometimes how our government puts on its pants in the morning.”
Abraham Lincoln summed it up in these lasting words, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”
Have a safe and sane as possible Fourth of July week end.
Mike