Editor’s note: We’ve all sung it, but how many of us know the story behind it? On this day of liberty we thought it’d be of interest to share.
The following has been excerpted from Mike Todd
Listen closely to the words and it tells of a highly emotional moment in US history when the war with the British was being fought and of one man’s relief in seeing the US flag still flying after a vicious bombardment.
…
The War of 1812 had been a particularly nasty conflict with the British. They had burned down the Capitol and the White House in Washington, and were set on taking the port of Baltimore, which was protected in part by Fort McHenry, just to the south.
…
The attack started on September 12th, 1814, and after an initial exchange of fire, the fleet withdrew to form an arc just outside the range of Fort McHenry’s fire.
Skinner, Beanes and Key watched much of the bombardment from the British deck. The major attack started in heavy rain on the morning of September 13th. Just under three miles in the distance the three men caught glimpses of the star-shaped fort with its huge flag – 42ft long, with 8 red stripes, 7 white stripes and 15 white stars, and specially commissioned to be big enough that the British could not possibly fail to see it from a distance.
In the dark of the night of the 13th, the shelling suddenly stopped. Through the darkness they couldn’t tell whether the British forces had been defeated, or the fort had fallen.
As the rain cleared, and the sun began to rise, Key peered through the lifting darkness anxious to see if the flag they had seen the night before was still flying. And so it was that he scribbled on the back of an envelope the first lines of a poem he called Defense of Fort M’Henry:
O, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming
As the mist started to clear he was aware that there was a flag flying – but was it the British flag? It was difficult to tell:
What is that which the breeze o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
But finally the sun rose, and with intense relief and pride he saw that the fort had withstood the onslaught …
‘Tis the star-spangled banner – O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave
Evening and happy 4th of July
I never knew any of that. Thanks for educating me.
Take care
A happy story from the banksters who instigated and financed the war in revenge for ending the first bank of the US, and then wrote the history of the conflict. True or not, it doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t sing for the corp.
Independence Day is the day you declare your independence from the corp. If you have not begun asserting your own independence, is there really anything to celebrate?
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security
July 4, 2012
This day, this year, will you choose; corporate slavery or freedom, emasculation or manhood, rights or privileges which can be withheld?
Such has been the patient sufferance
HAppy 4 th every one
INDEPENDANCE DAY IS NOT JUST A CELEBRATION, it is a commemoration of all that has gone before us and all that has needed to be sacrificed, and all that we have been given at Gods hand. We have THE greatest nation on this earth because of what has gone before us and we have been blessed to be born here and live here. And we are here because blood was spilt, prayers were prayed and honor and honesty were valued.
Today we remember the cost of our freedom. We should thank God and all those who have given their all for our peaceful homes and families.
I thank God and all those patriots of all those previous years, who thought of the good of others and did what they could to make this a better place.
There have always been those who would bring this nation back to darkness but I rely on God and the hearts that beat in goodness and love and strength, for “baseball, apple pie and mom” as it were.
God Bless you all and Thank You to all who in any way large or small, have protected my home, my nation, my way of life.
we have been blessed to be born here and live here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
thanks for those words, c, for THAT is what we must be thankful for EVERY day, not just the 4th.
GC,
Boo on you for being cynical.
We have too many problems today to tolerate cynicism like that.
My blood forefathers invented the United States. Do not insult their bloody sacrifices because you are disillusioned by the simulacra that shares its name.
Do you hear me?
The USA of 1812 bears no relation to to-days.
If you are doing this out of a misplaced attempt to “be in the world but not of it”
DOUBLE SHAME ON YOU!
Pilgrim’s Pride
GC: Wow, lots of ‘thumbs down’. It seems that they don’t know the history of our country and its ties with business interests. It actually started with Jefferson when he sent the Navy and Marines over to Tripoli to defend ‘private shipping’ interests and it’s been going on even since. Most folks don’t want to hear that big business has always called the shots in this country. Think not people: then read USMC Brig. Gen S. Butler’s book “War Is A Racket”. In it he states that the military is nothing more than hired muscle for corporations that he names and the countries in which he and the Marines helped enforce “U. S. Foreign Policy”, all to the benefit for these various companies. Gen. Butler was a double recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor along with other medals for valor, so he speaks from first hand experience lest anyone doubt his bona fides. Now Butler spoke of his time, and the names of companies have changed for the most part, but the abuse of our military for the benefit of large corporations has not changed since Jefferson’s time. Follow the money and anyone can discover the truth of our military interventions. And yes, I was a ‘sucker’ for 22 years in two branches of the military (active, guard, and reserve). It’s truly sad, and it angers me, that we allow this to continue, the waste of our fine young people.
GC: Looks like folks don’t want to believe that we’ve been played for suckers all these years by big business. I was in Ft.Bragg finishing my training as an Interrogator for POWs/97E (2nd Army Reserve School) when Kuwait got invaded. I thought, wow here we go! I was listending to Bush Sr. tell us about all the good we would be doing and this was for democracy and against tyranny, etc. Were we defending Kuwait and Saudi Arabia because they were so much like us: freedom of speech and religion with democratically elected governments? NO-they were both run by monarchies with repression on all fronts, especially against speech and any religion that’s not Islam. So I wondered what we were doing there. Ah ha-then it hit me-together they had bewteen 20 to 25% of the middle east oil reserves and Bush Sr. was a good friend of the House of Saud! This was plain arithmatic not calculus. I just followed the money and it led to oil corporations and banking that would suffer if Saddam and company controlled all that oil. Sorry boys and girls but we were played again. Defending democracy my ass !!!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY BURT!!!!
“Evening and happy 4th of July”
It’ll be a happy 4th of July when we Declare Our Independence again and Establish and Ordain Our Common Law again.
WE ARE KINGS. WE DECLARE OUR RIGHTS AND DECLARE, ESTABLISH AND ORDAIN OUR LAWS.
Jesus said “You are Gods, but you will die like Men.”
@ Burt the Brit. It is really sad over here how the 4th. of July has become all about barbeques, hot dogs, too much drinking and an once a year display of the flag. Fireworks because of all the fire danger have been banned all over the country. I can remember how people use to look forward to the Independence Day and really have a good time enjoying it, as it meant something. We would have these block parties and shoot off fireworks from the entire neighborhood.
Gone is this past era as so many don’t even say hello anymore to their neighbors. The country is so polarized right now and most of the people are totally self absorped into their own little worlds. It is no wonder that the one aspect of a strong country, their citizens being well prepared, has dropped to 1%. Much refelction on the sad state of affairs that the U.S. has decayed to on this July 4th. and remembering back when July 4th. meant something to the population.
The United Kingdom must really be gearing up for the Olympics. Do you think the UK will score a lot of gold medals, having the home field advantage and everything? Hope you are doing well.
Here’s a link for you Burt:
http://www.shtfamerica.blogspot.com/2011/07/is-there-fourth-of-july-in-england.html
Happy 4th…let’s STAY FREE!
Stay Free?
Funny that a Brit is first :). Enjoy the day Burt. Happy 4th to all.
I think that’s called “IRONY”.
Love ya Burt ! 🙂
Eagledove
Off topic.
I have found a way of getting a semi automatic rifle licence. I have found a gun club I am joining.
YES AT LAST
Take care
That’s great to hear Burt! 🙂
Keep your powder dry.
Congrats Burt!!
@ Burt the Brit. You are going to have so much fun.
Congratulations!
Fly the flag and be a threat to dhss day. Value freedom and liberty and be a terrorist day! Our founders are weeping in their graves over the destruction of this once great nation that they risked everything for “Our lives, our fourtunes, and our Sacred Honor”.
My kids caught me crying the other day and asked if I was hurt, “Yes, deeply, in ways I can’t describe.” I was reading the SCOTUS arguements
Wow. A 42 foot long flag. That is huge.
Happy 4th everyone!
I would love to see a 42 ft long Gadsden Flag!
Can you imagine if someday Perkins switched out flags!
How Awesome!
When I was a kid my mom would hang a huge old American flag accross the porch and the front of the house. Then she would open all the windows wide and turn the volume on the stereo up to full. She would move the stereo over to the front window and put on the 1812 Overture. At that point we kids would cover our ears and run outside. And then the needle would touch the record and the entire neighborhood would hear her 9am seranade to Independance Day.
@C——— was your mother a dope? The 1812 Overture was written to celebrate the anniversary of Russia’s victory over France in 1812
I guess you should tell that to all the orchestra leaders who play it every 4th of July and all the fireworks shows that are set to it.
It’s now on display in the Smithsonian. It’s displayed in a room to itself. It’s tattered, patched and faded, but it brings a tear to one’s eyes to see it in person. Knowing what it has been through and what it stands for wells up inside.
Take a moment and think of those old white guys that put their lives, families, reputation and fortunes up on the block to provide us with the liberties and freedoms we enjoy today.
Also take a minute and say a small prayer for this country. She needs it. Because the way things are going now, we’ll be putting our lives, families, reputation and fortunes up on the block to regain what was taken by people who think we have too many freedoms and rights.
Land of the free, kind of. Home of the brave, mostly. Everyone have a great day.
Can’t wait to sing this song the day we are free from the clutches of Israel and Zionism.
The Land of the Free and The Home of The BRAVE!
We Will Prevail….Semper Fi ….
Happy INDEPENDENCE Day!
May the Creator Bless Everyone and our country once again with that hard won Freedom.
Thanks Mac for a great site filled with help and hope for us all.
Been reading quite awhile, learned a lot of helpful info from all of you.
Thank you one and all.
Hawk
Perhaps one day countries around the world can celebrate their freedom from American invasions.
I see freedom only applies to Americans, how cute.
Happy 4th to all the troops current and present in our military navy,air force, marines, army and coast guard and border agents. GO fuck yourself all of you holders, obama, pelosi, reid , maxine watters, jerry brown, bloomberg radicals who do what they want out of the laws and divide us more to better yourself and your pocketbooks and most of all lie to your own country. None of you can be trusted and our thiefs to this nation. I have no respect for your deadbeat asses and like I said go fuck yourselfs! All americans black and white take care and enjoy this free country whith what is left.
“The duty of a patriot is to protect his country from its government.”
― Thomas Paine
“We have it in our power to make the world over again” — Thomas Paine
WE all know deep down in our hearts that this bunch in control HATE this day and THAT SONG. It is what put this great country together and is the glue holding it. Let us NOT forget all of those that served and are serving now. I have the close’s friend I’ll ever have,his name is on a wall in D C. We went through alot together and he died 3ft from me 41 years ago Sunday. I know he would not stand for the things going on now, here in his country. His sprit and I will fight to keep it Free as long as I have a breath in me. GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY!!
Let us hold freedom on high
copperhead out
As a schoolteacher, I also make it a point to not only say the Pledge every morning, but to enunciate the words “under GOD” so plain and firm as to command their assent
stand strong until freedom dawns
Just to remind everyone that the reason the British burnt Washington was that American troops burnt YORK now Toronto the year before. York at the time was the capital of Upper Canada. Also, the US started the war of 1812.
The British were going on American ships and kidnapping Americans and forcing them to serve on British ships.
Press ganging is the term you’re looking for.
Don’t matter who started it. Who finished it? HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY! Fly your flags proudly today and everyday! Thank God for our founding fathers and all those who have died for our freedoms! And remember blood must be shed to cleanse this country from the evil powers that are trying to take those freedoms away! Sing that song proud and TEACH YOUR CHILDREN the values we have learned. Keep the fire burning inside and God Bless!!
Not the time to discuss the American vs. Canadian perspective of the War of 1812. Both sides have their legitimate “claims” regarding this war… let’s leave it at that, shall we?
Happy 4th to all of you American Preppers!! We here in the North love our AMERICAN Cousins!! Have a WONDERFUL celebration and fly your flags high!!
Freedom is the universal language
Don’t say that, Americans don’t like hearing about that part of history. They only want to hear about how hard they have had it and not how they have screwed over other countries. But that MSM propaganda machine sells it as humanitarian to the sheep.
go and buy a feedom keeping tool today..I did. came with 4- 30 round magazines. I thought the date seemed apropreate.
“Sell your cloak and buy a sword”
VRF, I’d say you are a good Christian.
That little girl can sure sing! 🙂
We’re in the “twilight’s last gleaming” phase of our country. Sad but true.
The Star Spangled Banner and my tear ducts are inexplicably intertwined. Always have been, always will be. Growing up a DAR, I’ve always known this story and the power behind the words.
God Bless America
Why celebrate a holiday mot american know nothing about? Honestly, If there were a revolution in this country, it’d just end up bringing about real tyranny, because no american knows anything about government or politics. I will not celebrate another holiday that has no meaning.
I know what the Constitution says, that;s all I need.
Neg: I understand your cynical views. But I think there are enough well read, self educated people on this board alone I would trust to bring us back to our constitutional roots. I have never met anyone personally from here, but their views shine through. Now if there are 5 or 10 on this board alone, imagine how many there are that are not sitting at this site? There are many regulars here that I can dissagree with on individual issues, but I have deep respect for their intellect and their overall views of real freedom.
I have hope.
@saddle up: I have hope as well, however, independence day has no meaning anymore in a nation that has become dependent upon the empire. Most americans know nothing about the holiday and even less know what the constitution is about or even where we won our freedom from. Why does this holiday mean nothing? Because free speech is criticized, self defence is looked down upon, and taxes are going up faster than you can count to infinity. The reason for this countries birth is no longer relevant, fighting tyranny has turned into fighting for tyranny.
Where is Obama on this beautiful occasion?
On vacation, while the blackest city per capita, DC, is without power.
OBAMA HATES BLACK PEOPLE!
Iowa ;
I understand your sarcasm.., if it was Bush in office right now, he would be fried by the liberal media.
Have a good afternoon Iowa. 🙂
As well he should be!! He was incompetent, corrupt, and a chickenhawk!!!!
If that was my daughter, I’d be crying for joy for an hour.
Great article. Love learning something new about our great country. Happy 4th all.
Happy Independence Day!!! Sitting here watching HBO’s John Adams series and thinking about where our Country is today. It is down right shameful and sad that our forefathers gave and protected our rights and freedoms then today the powers have taken away. One day the people will take this Country and freedom back God willing. Liberty, Freedom, Join or Die!
Interestingly, there were originally 4 verses, as I recall from when I was a boy. Lots of folks know the first, a few know the last. I have occasionally found someone that had heard the second verse. I learned the 3rd verse which from a book printed in the 1920s. An very interesting fact also is that the last 2 words in contrast to popular belief, is not ” Play Ball!”
This was a beautiful bit of poetry which understanding the context, built from a concern and question to an observation and confirmation, leading into a sincere prayer for our future. Mush of this has been lost or ignored in pursuit of political correctness. Please forgive any spelling or grammatical errors. I am typing from memory
Oh say can you see by the dawns early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
o’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air
gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there
O say does that star spangled banner yet wave
o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave
On the shores dimly seen through the mist of the deep
where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes
what is that which the breeze o’er the towering steep
as it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses
now it catches the gleam of the mornings first beam
it’s full glory reflected, it shines in a stream
tis the star spangled banner, o long may it wave
o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave
And where is the band who so vaughntingly swore
mid the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country they would leave us no more?
Their blood hath washed out their foul footsteps pollution
And no refuge can save the hireling and slave
from the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave
And the Star Spangled Banner in Triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave
Oh thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
between our loved home and the war’s desolation
blessed with victory and peace may this heaven rescued land
praise the power which made and hath preserved us a nation
And conquer we must, when our cause it is just
and this be our motto, In GOD is our Trust
And the Star Spangled Banner In Triumph SHALL wave
o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave
More people know the verses than you might think. It is in the Baptist hymnal and we sing the whole song several times a year and especially when we have Bible school.
It would do all of America good to all go back to Bible school.
I am a direct decendant of Francis Scott KEY. Our current state of communism/facism makes me sick with the recent talk and or movement to CHANGE Our national Anthem. But then I guess they figure its par for the coarse since they are Destroying our country too.
When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the seperate and equal Station to which Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respected to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to Separation…
It is far Beyound that time again, that calls for and provides entitlement to Declare our Independance from the grips of those that once Again exstend their reaches beyound what is afford us under our God Given Rights and now have Declared War on our people. Stand Firm and prepare to as a whole; fight as needed to remain a Free People, that hold the Truths of our original Declaration Of Independence signed by our Fore Fathers this Day July 4, 1776 as in full force and effect…
And if necessary as this Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, Remains our Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundations on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likly to effect their Safety and Happiness.
…love that statement! Heres a few quotes from a great man who had a few things to say about where we stand today,history is our greatest guide to what lies ahead and how we may deal with this monster that took over the land of the free!
“The withdrawal of a State from a league has no revolutionary or insurrectionary characteristic. The government of the State remains unchanged as to all internal affairs. It is only its external or confederate relations that are altered. To term this action of a Sovereign a ‘rebellion’ is a gross abuse of language.”
“Obstacles may retard, but they cannot long prevent the progress of a movement sanctified by its justice, and sustained by a virtuous people .”
“Secession belongs to a different class of remedies. It is to be justified upon the basis that the States are Sovereign. There was a time when none denied it. I hope the time may come again, when a better comprehension of the theory of our Government, and the inalienable rights of the people of the States, will prevent any one from denying that each State is a Sovereign, and thus may reclaim the grants which it has made to any agent whomsoever.”
“The contest is not over, the strife is not ended. It has only entered upon a new and enlarged arena.” Jefferson Davis, address to the Mississippi legislature – 16 years after the wars end.
“The principle for which we contend is bound to reassert itself, though it may be at another time and in another form.”
I participate in a forum where there are radical left and right minded people. Of course the left one’s don’t feel they are radical and I came across one such individual that thinks this song is stupid and has no place in history. He even declared it false suggesting “bombs didn’t burst in mid air” in that era – something a historian on the board proved him wrong about. It didn’t matter to him; there is no peep from them on that forum today. These people truly hate America. It is sickening.
If they wish to leave, I will help them pack. No questions asked
Man that is sad but true.
Most people can not tell you why we fought the War of 1812. The 20 year charter given to the Bank of America, the second central bank established in the US, was set to expire in 1811. The charter was granted to Alexander Hamilton in 1791 and was backed by the Rothschild family from Europe. The Senate voted to not renew the charter, the deciding vote being cast by Senator Clinton from New York. The Rothschild’s, who own and control the Bank of England, had warned they would bring the US back to “colonial status” if they refused to renew the charter.
When the charter was not renewed, the British funded and encouraged the Indian tribes in the Northwest Territories to start raiding American settlements and the British navy stopped American ships in the Atlantic and conscripted American sailors into the English navy to help fight the French. This was the pretext for the War of 1812. In 1816 the Americans had to go back to a central bank(Rothschild backed)to pay off their war debts.Another charter was granted.
The 20 year charter was set to expire in 1836. Andrew Jackson “killed” the Bank and was the first American president who was attempted to be assassinated. Both pisols misfired, Jackson survived and “killed the bank”, and the US was without a central bank until the National Banking Act of 1864. (Not really a central bank but allowed fractional reserve lending pushed by the bankers)
Lincoln issued “greenbacks” to pay for the Civil War rejecting offers from the European Central bankers offer of loans at 30% to 40% interest!
Liconln famously stated he had two great enemies, Bobby Lee in front of him and the central bankers at his rear. Of the two, he feared the bankers more. The bankers of Europe were terrified that a country would coin its own currency and cut them out of the equation! They threatened to have the French and British intervene on behalf of the South if Lincoln would not give in to their offers.
The Russion Tsar, who had his own run ins with the Central bankers, helped Lincoln by sending half of the Russion fleet to the East Coast of American and half to San Fran to help keep the Europeans from intervening. They don’t teach that in US History class!!
Great stuff Rufus…
By the way….as we all know, Lincoln was assassinated.
Gee…I wonder why?
Yes, Walt — but it was not only Lincoln who was assassinated. So was the Russian Czar (Alexander III Pavlovich) who sent that Russian fleet to the US.
Argh! I meant Alexander II! He was killed by “revolutionaries” in 1881.
This is our first Independence Day in my lifetime where I am genuinely concerned about the TRUE independence and freedom of our nation’s citizens.
Nonetheless, my family and I are celebrating the United States of America — a FREE nation as defined by the REAL highest law in the land, the Constitution of the United States…because last I saw, the SCOTUS hadn’t repealed it yet. 😉
God bless you all as we celebrate our freedom on this day…and thank you to all of our servicemen and servicewomen, both active and retired, who have given their all (and in many cases, their lives) to defend our country.
So long as one single patriot believes, America still lives.
stand strong until freedom dawns
The coinicidental deaths of Presidents opposing Central Banks does not stop with Lincoln, unfortunately.
The 20 year charter granted The National Banking Act of 1862 was set for renewal in 1882. President Garfield was openly and vocally opposed to its renewal. He was assasinatied in 1881 and Chester A Arther propmtly renewed the Charter. Due for renewal again in 1902,
McKinley, a “Sound Money Man’ was also opposed to the concept of central banks. BOOM. McKiley takes a dirt nap and the first progressive American president Teddy Roosevelt supports renewal.
In 1910 a group of bankers along with Senator Aldrich meet secretly on Jeckyl Island and draw up plans for The Federal Resere Bank.
Robert Taft, Republican president was against the perils of central banks and a very popular president up for reelction in 1912. Central bankers had no chance with him so they bring Teddey Roosevelt out of retirement and fund his campaign, to run on the Bull Moose Party. This effectively split the Republican vote handing the presidency to a progressive university president from the East Coast, Woodrow Wilson. Wilson who had made a deal with the devils, agreed he would sign a Central Bank Bill into legislation if the bankers would support him, which they also did. On January 23,late in the evening, with many Senators home on Christmas vacation, The Federal Reserve Act was passed, and Woodrow Wilson signed it into law within an hour of its passage. Fait Accompli.
Unlike the 20 year charters of the previous century, this Charter was signed into perpetuity.
On his deathbed, Wilson lamented the destruction he had brought upon his country in his complicity.
Sorry, William Howard Taft, not Robert Taft
In the spring of 1963 President Kennedy contacts the United States treasury and inquires how much silver does the US hold in its voutls. The treaury respond around 44 billion dollars in silver. On June 5th, Kennedy sign Executive Order 11110 which authorizes the US Treasury through the office of Printing and Engraving to print United States Notes known as Silver Certificates. These notes were redeemable for one ounce of silver at any bank. He knew he could probably not end the Federal Reserve Bank, so he introduced by EO a competeing currency to the non redeemable, conterfiet paper tickets known as Federal Reserve Notes. November 22nd, Kennedy makes a most unfortunate trip to Dallas, Texas and develops a sudden and fatal case of lead poisoning. LBJ assumes the presidency and promplty recalls all the Silver Certificates.
Alas, all just unfortunate coindidences of Presidents that resisted the central bankers
rufus…great couple of posts.This just shows how long the bankers have been running the country. Unfortunately, if Dr. Paul were to be elected, he would most likely face the same “coincidence”.
without a doubt..he would have to be protected by patriots..us, the people that want the banksters out of control..because he wouldnt even be able to trust his best friend to keep him alive
On this thankful day,
I see through teary eyes
The love expressed by citizens
For a country so strong and
That helps so many in times of need.
I won’t be here much longer
So it is important to share
All that I have and all I know
So that in time, teary family eyes
Will share the same love
of the United States of America.
Yes Michelle, “All this just for a flag.”
All the Best to y’all and Y’all Beware!
Burt, get out of the rain!
A note of interest from China:
In his inaugural speech, the new Governor of Hong Kong, Leung Chun-ying promised to fulfill his election pledges and repay the trust placed in him by the central government and the people of Hong Kong.
“I will spare no effort in carrying out my election platform and lead Hong Kong in seeking change while preserving stability.
“My goal is to develop the economy, improve the livelihood of the people, promote democracy and build a more prosperous, progressive and righteous society,” Leung, who delivered his speech in Putonghua, said.
“I will honor the pledges I have made — uphold justice, protect the rights of the people, safeguard the rule of law, clean government, freedom and democracy, human rights and press freedom, which are among the core values of Hong Kong.”
He said his administration will start working right away to implement his policies focusing on enhancing economic development, speeding up the construction of public-housing and nurturing talent.
“In the next five years, my team and I will continue to stay in close touch with the people so as to narrow the physical and psychological gap between the government and the community,” he added.
My Peeps, I fear there is more democracy in China these days then in America. And I believe that there is more commitment in China to its citizens than in the West to ours.
To Wit, the most recent example:
The ECB has announced a $125 billion bailout for Spain’s banks (and Spain’s banks shareholders) while the unemployment rate soars above 20%.
The West has taken a top-down, corporate approach to economic development; China a bottom up approach.
Prosperity in China is lifting all boats. Prosperity in the West is orientated toward the boats of the few, letting the others sink or swim.
Engage your employees or be enslaved by them.
Happy 4th to all! I have a 3 year old and I make sure the 4th is known as Americas birthday. It is more than hotdogs here. we hang a large flag in the front of the house and i play any and all patriotic music. we set off some fire works and my lil one sings oh beautiful. She her rendition is cute as she sings purple mountains magicsteak but she belts it out with sooo much heart. we used to be big into thanksgiving and Christmas where the summer holidays were not as special, hot dogs and fun. the last 2 years these summer holidays have become very dear to my family. last year i baked a happy bday america cake with sparklers (due to massive heat wave could not light an oven) i thank my Lord that we are still a country full of people that love this land and still cling to the hope that it will survive truely free, i actually cried this year while listening to alan jacksons where were you when the workd stopped turning and whitneys wonderful cingin of the anthem …..at 40 something i finally woke up and realized how great a country we are in and i am really greatful for many things. i also shed tears for the losses of our land and people. the lives sacrificed in silly wars, the loss of freesoms as we sit idle at a trafffic light and knowing we are on camera, the loss pf privacy on the phone internet and just my backyard being posted on google eart. the freesoms being chipped away at and each passing genration not knowing the loss as they never knew the loss as it is normak to them to live amoung cameras and warrantless traffic stops, thier house being posted on google for the world to see. when the kids of today think it is ok to live so public let us ponder it is the precioiuse generations fault for we allowed it. let us reflect on what freedom means to us today and everyday, let us teach the kids what our grandparents told us, be an example, be strong, be brave, have hope, help tp change our country BACK to what it was, with love and stregnth. be a true American! Love ya Mac and thank you as always for this site with fellow people that can gather in likemindness(for the nost part anyway) and see the love of each place they call home. remember my fellow Americans we are :One nation under God” Peace out
“stand for something or fall for anything”
Just under three miles in the distance the three men caught glimpses of the star-shaped fort with its huge flag – 42ft long, with 8 red stripes, 7 white stripes and 15 white stars, and specially commissioned to be big enough that the British could not possibly fail to see it from a distance.
That is the ultimate fuck you.
Think about..
Soldiers making sure the enemy knows where they are. Did they do this with the aim of preventing the Brits from shelling civilians?
Soldiers prepared to be human shields for civilians?
The courage is amazing taking shelter and being unable to return fire.
Yes, do remember that the reason that British and Canadian troops burned Washington and bombarded Baltimore was that the year before American troops not only burned present day Toronto but looted the place first right down to the books in the public library! But can you blame the Americans? Imagine the effrontery and impudence of the Canadians. Not only did they remember the tales of rape and murder and thievery of their loyalist parents and grandparents as they were forced to flee their homes in the U S , but these foolish Canadians wanted to build their own country and actually took up arms to resist the American invaders!
You Cheeseheads did a good job kicking us Yankees out, now we both have a good country. Glad we’re friends now and hope we stay that way.
I’m not far from the 49th Parallel, have good friends up there.
thread drift time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAjtheYwXQk
be watching for this
THE CARRINGTON EVENT
I was told as a child that I am a decendent of James McHenry and that I should always stand proud of my American heritage because we come from a line of patriots that helped frame this country. I was very young when I heard this and havent had contact with that part of my family since shortly after that comment. I never researched my family history until last year and confirmed this. I just remember sitting with an old man on a rocking chair who was smoking a corn cob pipe telling me to always be proud to be an American. He said we were part of the American History.
I read about Fort Mchenry in school and took road trips to towns called Mchenry and thought “cool, it has my name”. No connections was ever made in my mind, and though I knew the story behind the star Spangled Banner I again never made a connection. I had my son read this explaining the comment made by the old man. You have given me the most wonderful gift. The look of sheer pride when my son realized that the fort named after our ancestor was the one spoken about in the National Anthem was one I’ve never seen in him before.
We knew Ft McHenry was the fort in the song, we new it was named after James McHenry, and I knew we were decendants but I never made the conenctions until reading this. Thank you.
I need to add that I am torn apart by the state of this country today. I think of my grandparents, my grandfather fighting for this country and my grandmother cooking for the soldiers; my friends and their families that have faught and died…. Today we didnt have a BBQ, nor did we light fireworks. My son and I decided months ago that with the way things are going we saved up for our “4th of July” celebration and did two things – we donated videos, video games and board games to the VA hospital, and we bought a .38 sp. I was depressed coming home from the fireworks display wondering what we were celebrating, why am I celebrating when I’m so angry at the route our own government has taken that I bought a gun today of all days because I think I will need it someday to protect myself.
Then I read this and I realized that even if I dont believe in our government I’ve always believed in what my country stand for and my fellow countrymen. I hope everyone made it through the day safe and that tomorrow will be safe.
Happy Fourth to all! I hope everyone had time with family and friends to enjoy and celebrate the best holiday in the USA! COMSEC requires I do not divulge the location of my celebration, but, live bands, great food, and a spectacular fireworks display left me with new hope and optimism. If my fellow American celebrants are any indication, the love of liberty is indeed cherished. I do not know the tipping point, I do know that many, nay most, will answer the call of Lady Liberty!
News Flash! Spongebob Is Dead!
AP-(Santa Monica, CA) One of America’s most beloved heros has died. Spongebob Squarepants was killed in an explosion Wednesday at his home in Marina Del Rey. Officials at Santa Monica General Hospital say the aging undersea actor was brought in by ambulance yesterday afternoon and was pronounced dead on arrival.
The popular television icon, known for his trademark square trousers, was apparently killed by the blast from a malfunctioning fireworks display. Neighbors reported hearing an explosion and found him unconscious and badly burned in his back yard.
“I seen him lying there, his torso was singed into a sort of rectangle and at first I didn’t know who it was. Then I realized it was bob,” said a sobbing Tom Cruise, who lives next door.
Paramedics rushed to the scene but were unable to revive him. Unconfirmed reports of illegal fireworks displays have been common in the area for years, and some have speculated that Spongebob was responsible, though the actor was never charged.
In a related development, the FBI has been investigating a potential copycat of the underwear bomber, who they suspect may have been operating in southern California. A spokesperson for the agency refused to comment on the matter and would not confirm or deny if Mr Squarepants was indeed being investigated by the bureau.
Spongebob is survived by his estranged wife, Lindsay Lohan, and five asian sponges whom they adopted shortly after their marriage in 2007. The couple have been seperated since last October following revelations of Lohan’s long-term affair with a luffa.
The Krusty Krab restaurant will be closed today from 11:00 to 11:05 AM in honor of the former employee.
The reaction to the news of Spongebob’s death was one of grief and shock.
Former vice-president Dick Cheney said, “I’m truly shocked and saddened. On the other hand, in 4 million years he’ll turn into oil, so it’s not a total loss for the people of America.”
Mitt Romney, campaigning in Vermont had this reaction: “Sponge who?”
President Obama has decided to withhold the news from his daughters, “They just couldn’t handle it right now. Michelle and I will tell them later, probably after we return from vacation in Paris.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed less grief, but more determination to fully investigate the cause of the tv star’s death. “We have unconfirmed, but credible evidence that this was the work of President Assad. The Syrian regime must realize that we take this very seriously. It’s time for regime change.”
A memorial service is scheduled for Friday at the Los Angeles Aquarium.
The Family has asked that in lieu of sending Seaweed, you donate to the old Sailor’s home.
I thought of you all as I listened to a medley of Bruce Springstein songs on the way home last night.
Keep well, shoot straight.
When 70% of the People do not want a law passed and it still does. When the Supreme Court then rewrites the Bill so it is fits with the our Constitution. When the law has 25 new taxes in it and creates 125 new Federal Agencies. When this law forces people to do, or pay, for things which are against their moral principles. When it set up “Death Pannels” to cut Government costs. When the Lawmakers do not have to live under this Law.
The Bill is not a law, it is Tyranny!
Ask yourself, “What would the Founding Father do?”.
I know what I’m gonna do….
Lawyers Have Already Drafted 13,000 Pages of Regulations for New ObamaTax Law…
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/07/lawyers-have-already-drafted-13000-pages-of-regulations-for-new-obamatax-law/
Obama spokesman: ‘It’s a penalty,’ not a tax…
http://washingtonexaminer.com/obama-remains-silent-while-spokesman-denies-mandate-is-a-tax/article/2501349?custom_click=rss
FLASHBACK: It’s a tax, Obama lawyers argued before Supreme Court…
http://nation.foxnews.com/obamacare/2012/03/26/obama-lawyer-laughed-supreme-court
Jeff: I agree with Roberts decision for a couple of reasons.
I don’t want any of the judges to side with their personal political views. I want them to judge each case as constitutional or unconstitutional. That is all. Roberts said that the gov’t has the ability to tax.
We, whether conservative or liberal expect the judges to solve our problems for us while we sit in our recliners. Roberts just told all of us that if we want this overturned, it is up to us to vote for it, not to expect him to do it for us.
I don’t agree with obammacare. But we have the ability to educate ourselves and vote criminals out of office. We have the ability to see through their stump speeches and empty promises.
If you are correct about your numbers, that 70% don’t want this, then we should never see it implemented in 2014 right?
Roberts had to rewrite the law, how is that a constitutional?
I’ve been voting for Conservatives since 1964 when Barry Goldwater ran, so please don’t tell us that if we just wait on the political process, our day will come.
We lost 57,000 in Viet Nam alone fighting the same type of Tyranny, what do we tell our fallen Brothers and Sons.
Have you even looked at the law? It gives the IRS almost unlimited powers. It will end up forcing all Medical Professionals into a Union. It will double your health care insurance and add billions to our debt.
Do you even know anything about Marxism and what has happened over the past 100 years to populations who fell under their control?
Go ahead, be a “Good German”, I’m sure that they’ll find a place for you in Barry’s new Marxist America. Just remember that a Coward dies 1,000 deaths, a brave man just once!
Jeff: I feel bad for you. You held so much faith in a certain party and they let you down. Did you rejoice when the patriot act was passed? Did you think that that little piece of legislation was to make you more safe? Look what that did for unlimited powers and gov’t expansion.
You thought that the two different political paths would lead to different places and are now finding that they end in the exact same place. Both parties have the same motives. Both have been corrupted by the same org.
The reason I am not upset about any of this is that it doesn’t change one single piece of my plans for the future. If anything it speeds the clensing of the system. Our future has been already been written out it only depends on the speed at which we are driving toward the cliff.
My advice to you is to prepare for the cliff, not worry about a bump you hit on the way to it.
As far as me being a good little german. Well, I will take that in stride. You seem like a desperate guy who feels as though the only thing left to do is climb a bell tower. But I can tell you if you said that to my face we’d probably both loosen some teeth on each other. Then hopefully we’d go back inside and have a beer together.
Saddle Up,
When the other side is playing “Tackle” it really is silly to play “Touch”.
Your suggestion that we “Get Smart” and vote in some really “Good Guys” does not jibe with your most recent post. Your first post was pure Alinski, “Get your the other side to play by their rules, while you play by no rules. That’s like trying to serve a restraining order to an 800lb. Gorilla.
Failing that, your second post also was Alinski. Call names, suggest that my position makes me odd, but try to be a good guy yourself, “Let have a Beer together”. Nice try. Hey, I’ve got drinking buddies, don’t want any more.
Just in case you haven’t noticed, we’ve been getting out teeth kicked in for some time now. For some of us this is not our first fight with Marxism and we know what plays that they run.
If you are for real, you are like a little boy in his first fist fight, who thinks that it’s unfare that the other kid keeps hitting him in the face. Wise up, we are at war.
If you are not for real, I’ll pray for you.
Jeff: AS far as the political process? I am only a spectator as of a couple presidential cycles ago. I said that for the benefit of others. I belong to no party. I truly have come to believe that both parties will bring our country to the same place. The only difference is the people who get rich on the way to our demise. I watch the gov’t process as nothing more than theater.
I don’t think we are at war with anyone yet. I think things are going to get exponetially worse in the months or years to come. I look at what our government is doing to us more like a siege rather than openly declaring war.
I honestly could care less about health care. It may cost me some extra money which I won’t have alot of after crop failures this year. But I will find a way to make it through. In the grand scheme of thing in which I believe are coming, this is very small in scale. So I will keep my eye on the bigger picture and try not to be distracted by the smaller things.
Your personal attacks is what makes you look bad, not anything I have said. You have an anger to you. I kind of been chuckling through this exchange. Call me a little boy in his first fight, call me a german, allinski, I could care less.
Blah, blah, blah. Who cares what you “believe”, you self important twit! So you have some “special” insite into the future, why are you hanging out here when you should be down at the 7-11 buying lotto tickets.
Go fuck yourself, Libertarian asshole.
Isn’t it ironic that the American Stars and Stripes was the original sign of hope and freedom from tyranny against a governing body that was trying to force “their” type of religion on it’s people. Today, that same Flag is all we have left to represent all the bloodshed from day one of independence. We have allowed the governing body to force their type of religion and intrusions upon those freedoms by “accepting” the “separation of church and state” to mean something different. Now, it seems all other religions are allowed to take precedence over the one true christianity that recognizes God the Father, the Son as Lord and Saviour and the Holy Spirit as the as the only path to salvation.
We need a second Independance Day, where we freed ourselves from a second tyrannical government
http://www.sodahead.com/entertainment/the-cactus-cuties-sing-the-star-spangled-banner/question-1648699/
This is soooo old, but one of my favorites…they ain’t called cuties for nothing!
sodahead.com/entertainment/the-cactus-cuties-sing-the-star-spangled-banner/question-1648699/
add http://www. you know the drill
sodahead.com/entertainment/the-cactus-cuties-sing-the-star-spangled-banner/question-1648699/
FUCK England-i-stan
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men
who signed the Declaration of Independence ?
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor.
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,
and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;
another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or
hardships of the Revolutionary War.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants,
nine were farmers and large plantation owners;
men of means, well educated,
but they signed the Declaration of Independence
knowing full well that the penalty would be death if
they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and
trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the
British Navy. He sold his home and properties to
pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British
that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.
He served in the Congress without pay, and his family
was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,
and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,
Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that
the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson
home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General
George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,
and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.
The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying.
Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill
were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests
and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his
children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and
silently thank these patriots. It’s not much to ask for the price they paid.
wOULD YOU HAVE SIGNED?
Michelle Obama’s “All this for a damn flag” shown at three different speeds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJgWMI0hch8
Michelle Obama “all this for a flag”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2SQUXjxUS8
VETERANS IN RAGE !!!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2899762/posts
That really does not matter, it was 237? years ago. A better question is what are you willing to do NOW!
The IRS is Being Audited — But It Should Be Abolished
After allowing institutional corruption to flourish on their watch, supervisors in charge of the Austin, Texas ITIN processing center in Austin, Texas are being audited by their superiors. However, none of them confront the prospect of imprisonment, impoverishment, or – for that matter – unemployment as the result of their criminal misconduct.
Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) are used in filing tax returns and claiming refunds. Howard Antelis, a tax examiner at the Austin facility, told NBC affiliate WTHR that the ITIN system is rife with abuse and fraud.
“We were being told by upper management to ignore fraud, to assign ITIN numbers and … pay out refunds to people who are lying,” Antelis testifies. “It’s a license to steal when you allow that.”
Actually, everything the IRS does is an exercise of a government-issued license to steal. What triggered Antelis’s whistleblower impulse was not the rampant theft and abuse that define the IRS’s mission of plundering the productive, but rather its institutional indifference regarding fraudulent claims filed by those who receive the pilfered largesse. His must be a selective conscience if it is only offended by the sight of the IRS giving out stolen money to the “undeserving,” rather than the role played by the agency in stealing that money in the first place
I copied that from another blog, if you would like to read it all..I will find the link and post it seperately..
http://www.republicmagazine.com/news/the-irs-is-being-audited-but-it-should-be-abolished.html
Yes, the great American Revolution. The ink was not dry on the treaty ending the Revolution before those same Americans who loudly proclaimed how wonderful that their new nation was, began to violate their signed word of honour. Instead of protecting the persons and property of the loyalists, these poor people were driven from their homes and property. In great columns they were raped and beaten and driven as refugees to the Atlantic ports, over 70000 of them, where to the everlasting credit of the British they were saved and loaded onto British Navy transports. They left behind the “justice” epitomized by the original Judge Lynch and his lynch law. These same people were given land and supplies and were settled in Canada. They didn’t particularily love the king, but as one of them said,’ its better to have one tyrant a thousand miles away , than a thousand tyrants one mile away’. These people started the Canada that we know today and it was their children who, when the Americans invaded in 1812, burning and thieving their way through Canada, took up arms and fought for their freedom. And when the Americans burned Toronto in the snowy spring, driving woman and children and old folk into the forest, is it any wonder that the Canadian Militia along with their British protectors burned Washington in revenge? That great flag floating over Baltimore may have meant wonderful things to the Americans, but it symbolized great injustice and great atrocities to the Canadians. Think about it
@
Gen Brock
One thing I find wrong with your statements is this: You said “When the Americans burned Toronto….”. The “true” Americans did not do this. These were the same men in power today. The men who cause pain and suffering for their callus greed and love of power. They are not true Americans. True Americans stand for freedom from persecution, they don’t inflict it unless it is needed to prevent tyranny. True Americans stand for the belief in freedom as is granted by our Heavenly Father, thru his Son Jesus Christ. That same freedom is the basis for our Constitution. The “fakes”, “TPTB”, “Illuminati”, “Freemasons”, “Obamas”, “Bushs”, “Clintons” are not true Americans.
Prefer ” Dixie ” myself .
Hung out the Stars and Bars on the 4th .
all I can say is , how’s it workin for ya now ?
Prep now , prep hard , this isnt the same country or people my father fought for in WW2 .
Funny, the War of 1812 was a war of aggression STARTED by the United States. We wanted to annex Canada. Ask any Canadian. They teach the other side of history on the other side of the border.