"Perhaps nowhere was patriotism so downplayed or deplored than among intellectuals in the Western democracies in the two decades after the horrors of the First World War," writes Thomas Sowell, noting that "Our media are busy verbally transforming American combat troops from heroes into victims, just as the French intelligentsia did — with the added twist of calling this 'supporting the troops.'" Tiny, above atop the Independence Day groaning board down east this afternoon, is not amused.
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds 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.
"It's the best dish you've ever made," declares Tuck re Betsy Ross's Secret Soup, the latest entry in our Cold Turkey Cookbook, debuted at family Fourth of July festivities down east at Goomp's this afternoon.
"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.
Cool and breezy, a combo of Silky Cauliflower Soup, Roasted Beet Soup and sour cream. We'd been thinking of using red and blue food coloring for an all-cauliflower concoction, but thanks to our sis we bumped it up a notch. "What if you used puréed beets for the red part? Borscht Belt. Color, unless it's a different taste sensation, is just color. Maybe put some tiny dollops of sour cream on as stars for Old Glory." Which we did, to elegant effect. But when it came to blue, the blueberry soup we tried didn't make the grade. Color was muddy and too red, so we colored a bit of the cauliflower soup for the field of blue.
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
The usual beauty in unexpected places showed up in the sink, where a container of water-diluted beet soup with blue cover and pale yellow pastry decorating tube caught the light fantastic filtering through the red oaks outside the kitchen windows.
"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.
Inside-Out Cheeseburgers were first among equals of our mixed grill of Spring Chicken Delight, Kayem's red dogs and brats. Suzi's was filled with blue cheese. For the rest of us it was a combo of parmesan, goat cheese and cheddar. Wicked good.
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
The bold renegade carves a "T" with his teeth, a "T" that stands for Tuckman. Update: Speaking of corn, Feed Folks, not Ferraris: "Secret report: biofuel caused food crisis" [via Instapundit].
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
When it's time for supper, the Chelsea Grays lay down their weapons and join forces to accomplish the task at paw.
"Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
Goomp frames the view from the terrace, where boats large and small, under power, sail and paddle, ply the mouth of the York River.
"The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world."
Let freedom ring.
Update: When in the course of surfing the web it becomes necessary to view large numbers of pictures of cute animals, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should head over to Modulator's Friday Ark #198.
Update II: A dazzling 225th Edition of Carnival of the Cats now open for business at the deep, dark and delicious House Panthers.
Looks like it was another lovely day down East. :-) A belated Happy 4th to you all.
Posted by: Teresa | July 05, 2008 at 11:22 AM
A reading of the words of our founders which you quote in your Fourth of July post which features patriotic colors in its joyful pictures is a warning to us today of how fragile freedom can be and how we must continually be on our guard against those who usurp that freedom.
Posted by: goomp | July 05, 2008 at 01:09 PM
That soup would be suitable to be served at the White House at a state dinner.
And the American Flag complements Tiny beautifully...or is it the other way around?
Posted by: Elisson | July 07, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Tiny and Baby are the perfect representation of their species! As is Sam the Wonder Cat, whose only minor imperfection is his abiding terror of noisy freight trains and fireworks! I spent a lot of time with him on my lap with his head under my arm for his version of safety!
Posted by: Gayle Miller | July 08, 2008 at 10:22 AM
in your Fourth of July post which features patriotic colors in its joyful pictures is a warning to us today of how fragile freedom can be and how we must continually be on our guard against those who usurp that freedom.
Posted by: Mediafire free download | September 02, 2010 at 12:28 PM