 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
For all of us that take pride in our American roots
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.
Remember: freedom is never free, and the 4th of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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 Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2006
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,694 Likes: 22 |
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the 4th of July.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
My insurance was due to run out on the 4th... 
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
Good post Tom,
Unfortunately, I bet most of us on this board are aware of the horrible events and sacrifices our founding fathers made. It's the YOUNG dudes today that either a) don't give a shfit and take EVERYTHING for granted, b) don't learn THAT stuff in school anymore, c) are too busy feeling ENTITLED to all they deserve.
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Quote:
Good post Tom,
Unfortunately, I bet most of us on this board are aware of the horrible events and sacrifices our founding fathers made. It's the YOUNG dudes today that either a) don't give a shfit and take EVERYTHING for granted, b) don't learn THAT stuff in school anymore, c) are too busy feeling ENTITLED to all they deserve.
Im 37 years old and I go with option B. I never learned this. Im not the studious type but there were things that intersted me and this certianly would have been one of those things.
Quote:
Some true, some false.
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp
Still an interesting bit of history information.
All good postings!
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
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Quote:
Quote:
Good post Tom,
Unfortunately, I bet most of us on this board are aware of the horrible events and sacrifices our founding fathers made. It's the YOUNG dudes today that either a) don't give a shfit and take EVERYTHING for granted, b) don't learn THAT stuff in school anymore, c) are too busy feeling ENTITLED to all they deserve.
Im 37 years old and I go with option B. I never learned this. Im not the studious type but there were things that intersted me and this certianly would have been one of those things.
Hey Z...didn't mean to make myself sound old. 
I hear you. You and I are the same age but I learned the basics of our independence in 5th or 6th and then got the broader details in college from an awesome professor.
My opinion is formed by interactions with 6-12 graders. I teach highschool and Mentor middleschoolers at one of those...well-to-do, private, all boys schools and I have seen big change in how education is administered today. I wouldn't say it's all that positive. But...change is good. I just hate to see some of the history disappear from the books and/or the curriculum.
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Kinda humbling to learn some of those details. Good post(s).
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
Govt.schools!!!!   i am sure that the govt feels that the dumber we can keep the kids the less hassle it will be to control them  oh i could say more but i would probably get kicked off here for life hahahahaha
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep, you probably would be alright, newt. Censored, that is. However, I'd just like to add to your thought here that MAYBE without PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT in their little progeny's educational process, then it MAY NOT really matter WHO is runnin' the schools the "little darlings" attend.  Yep, ya see, I remember coming home from public school when I was "a mite" younger, and being asked by both my parents on an almost daily basis at the dinner table, "So, what did you learn today in school?". And, I ALSO remember that the answer, "Oh, all kinds o' stuff", never did quite wash with Mom and Dad! (though I fully realize that the above about "Parental Involvement" is NOT exactly "earth-shaking news", ya think I "might be" onto somethin' here???) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
I prefer to call it Independence Day rather than the 4th of July.
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Yep Soren. I suppose that's kind of like the "Ol' Gotcha" of asking someone: "Is there a 4th of July in England?", huh?! Or maybe another "Ol' Gotcha" like: "How do you pronounce the capitol of Kentucky? Is it 'Lou-IS-ville', 'Loo-EE-ville' or 'LOU-ah-ville'?" (and of course, the answer for those out there who've never been "got" with this "gotcha" IS: NEITHER! The capitol of Kentucky is pronounced: 'FRANK-fort'!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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I just that I think a lot of people have lost the meaning and importance of the day by calling it the 4th of July rather than Independence Day. I wonder how many people think about what and why the Revolutionary War was really about, or if they even think about the 4th of July as Independence Day. I especially wonder if people think about how the British government was treating the colonists at the time that the colonists became so sick and tired of the opression, taxes and government control over their lives that they decided to finally do something about it.
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
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Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jul 2007
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
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Except for Gina, isn't it odd how quiet our Brit cousins are every time we wax poetic on the 4th of July?  And isn't it funny how our country's history turned out, in relation to the Brits? After the war of Independance, they continued to harrass us and burned our nations capital building during the war of 1812. Flash forward a few generations, and we stand by them in both world wars (albeight after a late start). Now, this web site is filled with the love of a/the British machines, and they are our most loyal friends, who have stood by us, especially lately. For myself, I have read a good deal of British history, and they have had their rough times and ill advised intentions. Maybe that's why I like them so much, they are a heck of a lot like us!  And it only took a couple of thrashings  , a couple of centuries ago, to bring us together!
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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You gotta remember that those Brits do build the best motorcycles in the world!
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Well guys the company I work for here in UK is American owned, today in the canteen there is a special meal to celebrate, cheese burgers and hot dogs and something else called a French fry anyway we are all going to wear our work jackets today to lunch, they happen to be bright red. 
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 25
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2009
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Quote:
I just that I think a lot of people have lost the meaning and importance of the day by calling it the 4th of July rather than Independence Day. I wonder how many people think about what and why the Revolutionary War was really about, or if they even think about the 4th of July as Independence Day.
Sorta like Christmas and Memorial day and, hello, just about every holiday we have hmmmm
USS Carl Vinson, HT2 and USN Fire marshal, 50,000 miles sailing over the briney deep *World cruise 1983*, plankowner CVN-70
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Aug 2008
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I just wonder if anybody will be posting such nice sentiments about todays revolutionists and traitors in a few years?
Bin Laden anyone!
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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BD,I think there is a big difference between a revolutionist and a terrorist like Bin Laden who kills innocent people. I doubt very much that he will be celebrated in the future. Happy 4th of July/Independence day weekend everyone!! 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
BD,I think there is a big difference between a revolutionist and a terrorist like Bin Laden who kills innocent people. I doubt very much that he will be celebrated in the future.
You know what they say - " One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter".
(BTW I don't agree with what Osama Bin Liner is trying to achieve anymore than you agree with him)
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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Best holiday of the year!! Happy 4th everyone...
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I doubt very much that he will be celebrated in the future.
History is written by the winners. If the American revolution had gone the other way, the people we call our founding fathers would not be celebrated either.
And yes, the usual disclaimers apply (I do not agree with or support what bin Laden is trying to accomplish or the means he's using etc... etc.. )although it should go without saying.
Happy independence day to all Americans (especially active duty military and my fellow vets... you've earned it). To all others: Have a great day anyway. Raise a glass to your brothers/sisters across the pond (or across the border). What unites us is stronger than what separates us.
2003 Speedmaster
Red/Black
FREAK, AI removed, Emgo Shorties, NH Peg relocation, Progressive suspension (front and back).
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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It's my favorite holiday. One spent reflecting on the history of the day more so than any other. Very sad in a way when I think, "Is this what they had in mind for our country?" However, very proud of everyone who fought, died, and suffered to make what we have a reality. The actual history behind it is astounding. I am completely awestruck by the courage of our founding fathers and the foresight they showed. July 4 is one of the days that I am most proud of my country and the ultimate sacrifice of so many for the freedom we take for granted daily.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 283
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2008
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Quote:
Except for Gina, isn't it odd how quiet our Brit cousins are every time we wax poetic on the 4th of July? And isn't it funny how our country's history turned out, in relation to the Brits? After the war of Independance, they continued to harrass us and burned our nations capital building during the war of 1812. Flash forward a few generations, and we stand by them in both world wars (albeight after a late start). Now, this web site is filled with the love of a/the British machines, and they are our most loyal friends, who have stood by us, especially lately. For myself, I have read a good deal of British history, and they have had their rough times and ill advised intentions. Maybe that's why I like them so much, they are a heck of a lot like us! And it only took a couple of thrashings , a couple of centuries ago, to bring us together!
As far as independance day is concerned, it's your day and you should celebrate it. We probably stayed quiet as it is a time in our nations history that we would rather not remember.
This is how i spent 4th July . 
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Quote:
Except for Gina, isn't it odd how quiet our Brit cousins are every time we wax poetic on the 4th of July?
I don't do quiet!!! and if I am, something is wrong.
TBH, I don't really know much about the War of Independence. I never really liked history at school, was more into science, and the moment I didn't have to do it anymore I didn't. Then I've got in to Tudor history recently... and so it's little bit before that!
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel...
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel...
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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I don't know about anyone else but I would like to think those hostilities are forgotten in the present but only remembered as a part of history. Even where Osama is concerned, I don't blame the people I blame the man and his radical following. Same with Afghanistan ,the "Taiban" were a bad group but I don't blame all the innocent people they subjigated. By the way Taliban was a bad name for them as it actually means something like learned or to study or something like that if I remember right. Englan has stood by our side ever since.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,527 |
Yes.....they are long forgotten in terms of "feelings" Our revolutionary war is fascinating once you get past the middle school stuff we all learn at that level. Politics played such an immense role in the outcome of the entire war as well as individual episodes.
Few know that the traitor Benedict Arnold might have been remembered as a great hero of that war had a litte bit more communication been given to him as to the politics of the time when he was military governor of Philadelphia. He made many political foes at that time and they screwed him with General Washington who then censured him or risk losing the monies to support the war effort from PA.
As a result Arnold became so bitter at Washington's perceived disapproval that he put forward the betrayal he is most known for.
"Proud to be an Infidel" ... "100% pure American Jingoist"
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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I just toured Yorktown when in VA on vacation, interesting. Last year in CT I was also at Ft Griswold and Ft Trumble also interesting places to see and learn about. Benedict Arnold lead the attack on Ft Griswold.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I have worked with some kids in Africa on medical missions. While they may not academically run circles around the majority of American kids I know, they are willing to work to improve. The African kids spend about 14 years in primary and secondary school and they have a longer school day--bracketed by walking from home to school and back. Kinda builds character when you have do deal with adversity to fulfill a goal.
Still, their biggest ambition is to come to the USA. I don't think I've ever been more honored to be from here than when they told me that.
Thank your ancestors for coming here and making a go of it! And thank a few of their relatives for staying in Britain and building Triumphs!
John
============================
"The difference between an ordeal and an adventure is planning" - Charles Hutchins
2008 TBA / Black / NCHD Windscreen / Saddlebags / De-Baffled Pipes / Flat Black Console
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Re: 4th of July and a little history
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I just found this link of some amazing "living" pictures formed by American Soldiers. Truly amazing and inspiring, this is a good thread to post it I think http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/cultu...S-soldiers.html
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