Individual Liberty — Individual Responsibility

For those we lost, We will not forget 09/11/2001

“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.”
— The Continental Congress, July 4, 1776

“The task of statesmanship has always been the re-definition of these rights in terms of a changing and growing social order.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt (Commonwealth Club Address, 1932)

“Roosevelt was wrong! The principles laid down in the Declaration of Independence are the principles of individual liberty. Our unalienable rights, given to us by God are given to us as individuals. Our rights do not come from society or the government, and they cannot be redefined by politicians. The nature of these rights carries with it the implication of individual responsibility, without which we surrender them.”
— Perri Nelson, November 6, 2008

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An Independence Day celebration

Published Sat, Jul 5 2008 12:04 PM

Yesterday, my family and I celebrated Independence Day. What made it an especially great day was that it wasn't just my immediate family. We had some visitors. My brother and his wife, along with my nephew Peter were visiting from West Point, New York, and my dad and his wife Pam were visiting from Florida. Naturally, at least naturally for me anyway, the cameras came out.

Peter sends his greetings, while Lucas and my brother sit in the background.

And now for the photos. First, my brother, his wife, and Peter…

And then, my dad and his wife Pam…

We had a great day and wonderful conversation while dinner cooked in the background (smoked turkey… yum!) and we listened to the occasional burst of daytime fireworks. After dinner, we held a birthday celebration for Sidney, having orange cheesecake.

After the birthday celebration, it was time for the fireworks display. Our neighborhood was in full swing, and we participated too. I finally learned how to take semi-decent pictures of fireworks with my camera too, after playing with it for several years.

One of the best surprises of the day was how much Sidney enjoyed the fireworks. She was watching them and laughing, and jumping about in her great-grandfather's lap.

And with that I leave you. I hope your Independence Day celebration went as well as ours!

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Layla responded with:

I've been bumming around the blogs today. How I missed this post yesterday - sigh......

But I am glad I saw this. What a wonderful glimpse into your life and to see pics of you and your wonderful family is heartwarming.

I am glad you had time with your family and time to enjoy how precious life is - even when it is not Independence Day.

Thsnks! :)

Angel responded with: