Its our 231st Birthday and the media is giving it the usual attention.  Talking about barbecues, holiday travel and of course illegal fireworks. Not one story I seen mentions what this holiday is all about.

The "local" media (and I use quotes because they are 50 miles away in another state) interviewed people lined up at the local fireworks store asking the usual questions "don't you know that fireworks are illegal?" and "don't you know you can get in trouble?"  I wasn't there but here is my answer: the signers of the declaration of independence broke the law when they signed that document we are celebrating. They risked their lives, fortunes and families for what they believed in. We can certainly risk a misdemeanor in their recognition.

I have also heard liberals ask how we could celebrate while we are engaged in a terrible war?  Well, very easily.  Our founding fathers celebrated independence day for the first time in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, just one year after the signing of the Declaration.  At the time we were engaged in a war for our independence and it wasn't exactly going very well at the time. I am sure some  were unsure of how many more  4th of Julys they would see but yet they celebrated. 

John Adams actually said on that first national holiday that the day marking our nation's separation form England should always be celebrated with fireworks and gunfire. I expect to follow this edict. Normally, fireworks at the FatWhiteMan compound are very bright. We have scores of mortars and large fireworks but this year will be more subdued.  Not because I am afraid of the law but rather because of the drought. While Independence Day is certainly worth celebrating it is not worth getting the local volunteer fire department out for a brush fire.  Still there will be plenty of smaller ground level stuff as well as inordinate amounts of gunfire and the liberal use of Pyrodex and cannon fuse.  I hope the local EMS doesn't have to show up.

Happy Independence Day!