posted 07-02-2009 04:59 PM ET (US)        

We have our differences, and our challenges, but few can deny the great good that this crazy country has brought to the world. - and along with it some colorful characters!

Happy Birthday America. May your freedom continue to shine for those who are living under oppression of all stripes, and may your good fortune and kind heart find a way through the difficult waters that we're currently in.

I'll fly the flag proudly from my Whaler this week.

Cheers.

posted 07-02-2009 09:43 PM ET (US)            

And let's not forget the most important breakthrough of them all, one that I never thought I'd see in my lifetime: the election of an African-American as president of the United States. Whatever you think about his politics, Obama's election proved that the majority of the people in this nation could finally look past the evil idiocy of racism and choose a president on that majority's belief about his merit, leadership qualities and intelligence. An incredible, historic event, and one that has me raising my American flag even higher this year. Happy Birthday, USA!

posted 07-02-2009 10:09 PM ET (US)            

Sure, this country has it's problems, but as both early and recent history has proven, none that cannot be overcome with time and perseverence.

I love this country. Happy Birthday to all!

posted 07-03-2009 04:31 AM ET (US)            

Take a few moments this 4th to thank those in far away lands away from family. They will be among brothers in arms but their minds will be with their family and friends back home. Without their sacrifices all of our celebrations
may not have been possible.

posted 07-03-2009 11:34 AM ET (US)            

http://thetension.blogspot.com/2009/07/ photo-essay-us-navys-new-littoral.html

Shallow draft, capable of 60 knots...all she needs is desert sand gelcoat and a blue interior.

posted 07-03-2009 03:21 PM ET (US)            

quote:

---

And lest we forget, it's all about Tony...

---

posted 07-03-2009 03:39 PM ET (US)         

(At lease he left out abortion and religion from his rant)

Our founding fathers new nothing about abortion, but I`m sure they wouldn`t want the government to control it, As far as religion the Amendments that they wrote assured that this country would not be controlled by a particular religion, no matter how hard you folks try to change that. Enjoy your holiday, and be grateful you live in a country that has religious freedom.

posted 07-03-2009 06:07 PM ET (US)            

I said I'm very proud of my country because,
--women have the vote and are doing well in the professions;
--Latinos are doing much better than they were a while back;
--Gay folks aren't being arrested any more just for their sexual identity;
--Jim Crow laws are a thing of the past, and the majority of Americans just elected an African-American to the presidency.

Pretty radical stuff to be talking about on the eve of our nation's celebration of its revolutionary birth, eh? Sure sorry my comments ruined your Fourth, T.A. and others. Not really too sorry, however...I can't help it if expressing my love for my country offended your thin skinned, cranky souls.

But I'm not looking for an argument here. As I said, and as I say again, I'm full of pride for my country, and I wish the USA a very, very happy Independence Day.

Tony

posted 07-03-2009 07:41 PM ET (US)            

"And let's not forget the most important breakthrough of them all, one that I never thought I'd see in my lifetime: the election of an African-American as president of the United States"

This is the United States of America, land of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln , George Washington Carver and Martin Luther King.

It doesn't matter what color they are, they are great Americans.

Martin Luther King said "content of your character is more important than the color of your skin".

This last election we had two poor choices.
But, we now know more and more of the content of Obama's character.

posted 07-03-2009 07:57 PM ET (US)            

No, they elected a mulatto born in Hawaii or Indonesia, depending on who you ask:-)

posted 07-03-2009 09:32 PM ET (US)            

Why does it always have to be about what racial.ethnic/gender/sexual group someone is a part of?

Why don't you simply want all Americans to have a happy 4th of July without going all identity politics? I don't care if someone is black, white, red, blue, green, male, female or whatever. We are all Americans.

And the fact is, I don't care what race the President is, it is his policies which are what count. And as far as your glee in telling people who disagree with you to leave the country, it seems that what is leaving the country by the millions are jobs.

Anyway, I do you wish everyone here a happy 4th no matter your politics, race, gender, ethnic background or sexual preference.

AllanR

posted 07-04-2009 08:27 AM ET (US)         

Maybe you should ask yourself why this happens over and over with you as the central figure.

I believe if you allow yourself the time for some serious introspection the truth will out.

posted 07-04-2009 10:42 AM ET (US)            

Let's hope the American-Firsters' historically blind, self-congratulatory 'We can do no wrong' attitudes are going through a similar transition. This great land is and always has been a work in progress, with many more miles to go before we're anywhere close to perfection. It's the journey, guys and gals, not the impossible-to-achieve destination. Our Whalers love the sea, not the harbor.

posted 07-04-2009 11:05 AM ET (US)         

quote:

---

I don't recall seeing quite such a spontaneous demonstration of enthusiasm for America in prior years. It is encouraging. Perhaps the Euro-centric left-wing intelligentsia-driven manifestation of self-hatred of our own nation is on the wane.

---

I admire your optimistic outlook jimh but I think it has more to do with the left-wing intelligentsia believing that now that "their" boy is on office everything is right and good and they can feel free to express their patriotism.

It's very telling that "they" choose to offer their "support" only when they are good and ready and only on their terms.

posted 07-04-2009 11:57 AM ET (US)         

You once again to choose to acknowledge only the facts that represent your position in a positive light.

posted 07-04-2009 11:23 PM ET (US)            

Happy Birthday America, the greatest country in the world that lets me carry guns if I choose and say nasty things about my leaders. I do neither but am dam glad that I can do either of the two if I chose to.

posted 07-04-2009 11:39 PM ET (US)            

Thank god we are moving in a direction, of self respect and seeking respect, as a nation.

posted 07-05-2009 10:35 AM ET (US)            

The term "mulatto" describes a person half white and half black, nothing more, and is no more racist than the term "white."

There are only three races and "African-American" isn't one of them. They are Caucasoid, Negroid and Mongoloid.

posted 07-05-2009 11:23 AM ET (US)         

Please note EXACTLY who the posters are that keep bringing up race.

Hmmmmmmm..........

posted 07-05-2009 01:30 PM ET (US)            

How perspicacious (you might want to look that one up) of you to state that my God was only a statue.

My only connection with government is via sending them way too much of my money:-(