Independence Day

Our second President, John Adams wrote; Independence Day "ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."

If only we could...

We do alright with the pomp and parade, we even manage to see shows, play some games, and view some sports. Bells do ring. But guns, bonfires, and illuminations?

Virtually every community in America has laws prohibitng bonfires. Many states prohibit the private use of fireworks. In the great State of Ohio, you may purchase them and possess them, just don't light them within the borders of Ohio. You may have a "campfire" in our community as long as you are cooking on it. Guns? Yeah right. If you have a CCL in Ohio you may carry it, however if it is visible you are in trouble. If it is concealed when in your car, you are in trouble. Many merchants mistakenly post "no firearms permitted" signs in their windows (thus letting the bad guys know that they are unprotected). And, there aren't too many places where you could even fire the weapon without going to jail, even if you were merely shooting at paper targets.

Tonight, every police department in Ohio will be deluged with "complaints" about fireworks. By policy, they must respond. Most cops I know, would prefer to be home lighting their own bottlerockets. But, we must be protected from ourselves. Otherwise, we will not buckle-up or wear our helmets. We will mutilate ourselves with fireworks, guns, and bonfires. We will take too many drugs, drink too much alcohol, eat too much fat, smoke too many cigarettes, etc, etc, etc.

America used to be free. When Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, and the others risked their lives and pledged their fortunes to free us from tyranny, they really didn't plan that someday we would legislate our freedoms away over time.

Don't get me wrong, I wear a seat belt all the time. I think people who ride motorcylces are idiots if they don't wear a helmet. I don't want everyone in America to carry guns. I do however believe that we all have inalienable rights that include the right to mutilate ones self with fireworks, drink too much, drive in a car without a belt, squash our brains on pavement if we so choose and when properly trained carry a gun to help protect ourselves, our families, and this great country.

Disagree with me? That's your right. Many men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice to give us all the right to voice our opinions. Let's stop watering down their efforts, by legislating away our freedom.

It is the fourth of July. The birth of the greatest nation on earth. Let's celebrate with pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations. When the cops arrive, offer them a hot-dog, coke, and some apple pie.