Happy Independence Day!
Put the 'Independence' Back in Independence Day -- The Forgotten Meaning of America is an excellent editorial by Michael Berliner of The Ayn Rand Institute.
Excerpt: "'Independence Day' is a critically important title. It signifies the fundamental meaning of this nation, not just of the holiday. The American Revolution remains unique in human history: a revolution -- and a nation --founded on a moral principle, the principle of individual rights. Jefferson at Philadelphia and Washington at Valley Forge pledged their 'lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.' For what? Not for mere separation from England, not -- like most rebels -- for the 'freedom' to set up their own tyranny. In fact, Britain's tyranny over the colonists was mild compared to what most current governments do to their citizens. ... Jefferson and Washington fought a war for the principle of independence, meaning the moral right of an individual to live his own life as he sees fit. Independence was proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence as the rights to 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.'"
This cartoon is in our book, Black & White World.
Posted by Forkum at July 4, 2003 07:36 AM
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