INDEPENDENCE DREAMS

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation."
—from The Declaration of Independence

We dream of freedom. We remember those who have sacrificed their lives for a country, a cause, a belief. Hopefully, today is more than a day to find bargains at the mall or fill our bellies with barbecue and beer.

We claim that we are trying to export the freedoms that we enjoy. Why then does the "American dream" seem like nightmare to so many? Perhaps, it has to do with abuse of power. You can name examples, for they are plenty. President Bush' clemency, and perhaps pardon, of Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Phantom weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Our continued presence in Iraq. Sabre-rattling toward Iran and North Korea. Clandestine operations in Latin America. Turning a blind eye toward Darfur, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon.

Do you truly believe in the dream of freedom? Are you willing to share it with those in Africa and Asia and Latin America? Or are you desensitized to suffering by CNN, MSNBC, Fox News? Are you simply protecting your right to your MP3 collection and inexpensive gasoline? Are you more worried about losing your MTV and EPSN due to a cable outage than the fact that millions will go hungry, thirsty, without shelter or security today? Are you fat and sated by your Subway and McDonald's and Olive Garden and Chef Boyardee?

Is it dream? Is it nightmare?

The flag flies over the smoke of fireworks as we pollute the creation that God has so graciously given us.

Wake up! Wake up!