”
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha
in the history of America …. It ought to be commemorated as the
day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America …. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” –J ohn Adams, Letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776
Happy Second of July. Today we celebrate the adoption in committee of a resolution for independence. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration was agreed to by the Congress, and sent to the legislatures of the States.
I fervently hope that in 228 years, the Iraqis will be celebrating their Independence Day on June 28th, and that the 30th of June will sound as silly to them as the Second of July sounds to us.
There are many reasons for hope. The president’s war on terror seems to be working, according to the 911 Commission’s Report. As reported on Newsmax, Statement 15 of the report states:
“Since the September 11 attacks and the defeat of the Taliban, al Qaeda’s funding has decreased significantly. The arrests or deaths of several important financial facilitators have decreased the amount of money al Qaeda has raised and increased the costs and difficulty of raising and moving that money.
“Some entirely corrupt charities are now out of business, with many of their principals killed or captured, although some charities may still be providing support to al Qaeda.
“Moreover, it appears that the al Qaeda attacks within Saudi Arabia in May and November 2003 have reduced – perhaps drastically – al Qaeda’s ability to raise funds from Saudi sources. Both an increase in Saudi enforcement and a more negative perception of al Qaeda by potential donors have cut its income …
“Prior to 9/11, al Qaeda was a centralized organization which used Afghanistan as a war room to strategize, plan attacks, and dispatch operatives worldwide … Al Qaeda today is more a loose collection of regional networks with a greatly weakened central organization.”
Furthermore, Israel’s war on terror seems to be working. World Net Daily synopsizes the current situation: “With the Palestinians unable to carry out a single suicide bombing in Israel since March, and Hamas halted from unleashing the large-scale revenge attacks called for after its top terrorist leaders were assassinated, Middle East analysts and politicians are beginning to debate whether the intifada – the terrorist war against Israel started by PLO leader Yasser Arafat after rejecting offers at the Camp David peace summit in 2000 – is coming to an end.
“At this time last year, there were 20 suicide bombings killing 141, while 2002 saw 25 such attacks in which 147 Israelis were killed. So far this year, there have been only two bombings in Israel proper, killing 19.
“Also, the downfall of Saddam Hussein, who was paying $25,000 to the families of suicide bombers, is likely a contributing factor to the decline of the violence and incentive of some in the Palestinian population to join with terrorist groups.”
Clearly, there is a danger that Iraq may not be ready for independence. But most English, and many American loyalists, predicted anarchy and a French takeover in colonial America, when we chased out the royal governors and judges..
Instead, our forefathers elected assemblies and appointed judges. We fought our war and concluded our peace and the world turned upside down.
Iraq may have a harder time, since Saddam Hussein has for decades systematically tortured, maimed, and killed any Iraqi opponents with a hint of leadership ability. But if the desire for liberty is innate in human beings, they have a chance.
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Speaking of leadership, my kids and I are preparing for White Stag, where all youth, ages 11 to 17, are welcome to learn leadership skills, such as problem solving, communication, and planning, and to apply them, first at camp, then in their lives at home.
Camp is Aug. 8 to 14, at Camp John Mensinger, off of Highway 108 just east of Strawberry. Visit www.whitestagcrew122.org for registration forms, equipment lists, and more information. Sign up before July 15th to guarantee a spot.