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Well... I dont really have any mental place or impact for the 4th July, although I suppose it is the day we lost one of our colonies. (or a celebration of the fact anyway.)
As for the declaration of independance... I wouldnt disrespect it, but you have to bare in mind when they said all men are equal - exactly how they defined "man"... it certainly didnt refer to slaves, it certainly didnt refer to women, it certainly didn't refer to the indentured servant class.
At the same time as the war of independance was a war of freedom for the colonialists from financial exploitation from Europe, and at the same time as there is a real sense of tabula rasa... it is also a war and a movement that lead to far greater violence against, and the eventual effective destruction of the native people.
But there is nothing wrong with it just being a day for fireworks and beers, and celebrating what the country means to each individual. I found even in my short stay in America that patriotic feelings are acceptable and common there, far more so than in the UK, and I think that is broadly a good thing. It is good to feel proud of where you are from, as long as it is not a careless of unquestioning pride.
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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