I was going to research how fireworks became part of our holiday and do an information diary on that aspect. But since our net is being difficult I'm going to stick with something I can access a bit more quickly. Perhaps our Congressman and Senators should reacquaint themselves with this document as well. For surely it shows the intent of our founders as well as some of the later documents do, perhaps more so in some ways. Personally I think they've been dropping the ball on several of these principles. Join me below the squiggly Itzl.
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
IAN is a great group to join, and a good place to learn to write diaries. Drop one of us a PM to be added to the Itzl Alert Network anytime! We all share the publishing duties, and we welcome everyone who reads IAN to write diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
Ok, we do have a diary schedule. But, when you are ready to write that diary, either post in thread or send FloridaSNMOM a Kosmail with the date. If you need someone to fill in, ditto. FloridaSNMOM is here on and off through the day usually from around 9:30 or 10 am eastern to around 11 pm eastern.
Monday:
BadKitties
Tuesday:
ejoanna
Wednesday:
Caedy
Thursday:
art ah zen
Friday:
FloridaSNMOM
Saturday:
Dave in Northridge
Sunday:
loggersbrat
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 separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 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.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
When you have an autistic child, going to fire works displays isn't always an option. We haven't gone to one for the past 17 years or so (which is when we realized it was a problem). Draco just can't handle the noise, or the crowds. Bit has never gone, though this year that's going to change. She's going to go to see the fireworks with a friend we know who has kids her age. She should have a blast (so to speak).
Then of course there's the movie "Independence Day". It's been one of my favorites since it came out. I like all the references to other sci-fi movies, and finding new ones. But one of my favorite parts is the President's Speech right before the big battle at the end.
What are you doing to celebrate Independence Day?
Thu Jul 03, 2014 at 10:23 PM PT (bigjacbigjacbigjac): I just got home from the hospital, about an hour ago. Tonia is staying overnight, after all. They were going to send her home in the afternoon. But, at around 3 PM, she was in enough pain to ask for pain meds, and they gave her two percocet. So, because of a combination of the drugs, and her general weariness and sleepiness, she slept through the evening, until it was too late in the day to send her home. She finally woke up between 8 and 9 PM. Her doctor will make his rounds by 8 AM. I intend to get to bed by 3, get up at 9 AM, and go get my wife, and take her home.
Thu Jul 03, 2014 at 10:30 PM PT (bigjacbigjacbigjac): I forgot to mention, and emphasize, the surgeon was able to remove the cancerous uterus by way of the several small incisions, not the large one. That's why she can come home so soon. She's back to complaining about the way I talk too much, so she's pretty much back to normal, already. I cried tears of joy, more than once during all this. I kissed Tonia, and hurried home, so I can get some sleep, and go get her in the morning.