Still fighting for freedom
Published 8:20 pm Monday, July 12, 2004
By Staff
Our View
More than 220 years ago, our forefathers broke away from English rule in order to establish a form of government known as a Democracy which allowed freedom to be held by all. This fight we as Americans continue, not only for ourselves but for those who are deemed less fortunate than us.
"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." This paragraph taken from the Declaration of Independence shows the foundation that America was built on.
Every day, people from other countries travel to our land to experience the freedoms that we as Americans have become used to and take for granted. As you are reading this editorial piece, think about the freedom of the press, and how this piece might be different if we were not fortunate enough to have this freedom. You probably will be reading this before you go to church, the church you want to go to since you have the freedom to pick your religion. And while you are there, or in the company of someone else, you have the freedom to say whatever is on your mind, something called freedom of speech.
As you all know, many of our sons and daughters are in parts of Iraq helping them fight against a government… a man that is nothing short of evil to the people that he ruled. Because of our soldiers efforts, we have brought Saddam Hussein to an Iraqi court for his crimes. Hopefully, with a small amount of guidance, the Iraqi people can begin to taste the sweetness of Freedom through just self-government.
So, as you are out barbequing and having a good time with friends and family, remember that none of this could have been possible without the scarifices of so many, much like the local men and women who are serving overseas bringing freedom to another land today.