Independence Day: Meaningful, or Just a Day Off?

[scrivener]

Now, don't just answer what you think you feel. Really ask yourself if this day is personally meaningful to you. Yes, yes. I know our nation's independence is important to you--that's not what I'm asking. How meaningful is this DAY to you? Be honest!

[helen]

I think this is one of the holidays that being festive over being meaningful is okay.

[dee_diddy]

Personally, it's meaningful to me. I am proud to be American. BUUUUUT, I understand completely if others don't feel the same. (I understand the overthrow and improper annexation of the isles).

[jdub]

The 4th is a day to honor the GOOD things about America. Say what you want about foreign and domestic policy, piss and moan, whatever. Today is the day we celebrate our right to do so.

And it's not a day off for me. It also marks a day that I'd be celebrating 5 years with a good girl i loved, if she hadn't dumped me a few weeks ago...lol

[kimo55]

>The 4th is a day to honor the GOOD things about America. Today is the day we celebrate our right to do so.



"today is the 4th day of the rest of your life."


> It also marks a day that I'd be celebrating 5 years with a good girl i loved, if she hadn't dumped me a few weeks ago

bummer, dude. Find a party, loud live music and drink!
best thing for it.

http://www.bayfesthawaii.com/SCHMON.htm

[cezanne]

Meaningful day off for me.

[Miulang]

I hope everybody is having a good day off today. Now, are you celebrating it more as a "red stater" or a "blue stater"? Check this (http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20050701/cm_huffpost/003506;_ylt=AuPyeFL4dyr1fK8huAf3i_Ad6sgF;_ylu=X3oD MTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl) out.

Miulang

[1stwahine]

Independence Day is meaningful. I get to clean up after two days of BBQ and drinks at neighbors and my home! I also reflect on the many lives given so that we can live in freedom! And those who continue to fight the battle all over the world. It's quite a different America today...yet, I am proud to be an American. I am proud that I live in Hawai'i, my birthplace where Ohana is more than just a word. ;)

Auntie Lynn aka Auntie Pupule

[mel]

1. I put up my virtual flag:

http://img3.buzznet.com/assets/users8/macpro/default/gallery-msg-1120318944-2.jpg


2. I went shopping to celebrate our capitalism.

3. I wore my "USA" flag tshirt and went to the movies afterward.

4. My car has 2 flag window stickers on it and are the same ones there since Sept. 14, 2001.

5. I have flag signs and flags in my apartment to remind me that this is the United States of America and is one of the greatest countries in the world.

6. Much to Muilang's chagrin and the disappointment of the liberals populating this board, I relish in the fact that George W. Bush continues to be our president, despite his low ratings and the War in Iraq.

7. I support the troops overseas and like anyone else I wouldn't mind bringing them back.

8. The War in Iraq has been a good diversion to keep the terrorists away from our shores. If we were not fighting there or in Afghanistan the terrorists would have struck here again. So far most of the terrorists efforts have been concentrated over there. Which is good for us here, since we can still live in our relative safety.

9. Whoever came up with this red state / blue state thing has it all wrong. The Democrats and liberals should be the red states and conservatives should be blue. It is the Dems and liberals who have the communistic and socialistic leanings, and they tend to be red... like the former Soviet Union and Communist China.

10. Yes, this is America and our country is ideologically divided. Can't help it and no one will be satisfied. Just thank God that we still have our freedoms.

God Bless America. Happy 4th of July.

[DaveNSoKona]

Rainbow State farmer 4th of July:

I checked 2000 emitters on the coffee irrigation to figure out why the pump is running so much when the irrigation is turned on. Listen to the VERY far away pops of put-yer-eye-out fireworks lit by some teenager. Leftovers for dinner. Try to remember what a 3-4 day holiday is like when I worked a 9to5 job.

We have, in years past, gone to Waikoloa to watch the fireworks. We figure getting home at midnight is a little much to watch fireworks for us early-to-bed farm folk.

So no, it is not just another day off.

Yes, it does mean something to me. As a kid it meant fireworks and a day off.

Now, for me, it symbolizes American's independence from England.
I think, over all, that was a good thing for the world in general and for Hawaii.

Most likely if it hadn't happened there in 1776, then Hawaiians would be either be speaking Russian or German or Japanese and most likely, not be able to freely communicate their thoughts on topics such as independence, the Iraq war(substitute name of war for alternate history) or talk about how bad a president Bush is(substitute leader's name for alternate history).

[Miulang]

And don't forget, Dave, you are your own boss! If things go awry you only have yourself and Mother Nature to blame (and maybe the government because of the tax situation). That's called down to earth living. I give you a lot of credit for making that sacrifice.

Do you ever regret giving up that 9-to-5 job? I'm thinking of becoming an entrepreneur too. I know it's hard work, but sometimes the BS you get handed by corporations isn't worth it. Companies are no longer loyal to their employees, so employees sure as heck owe no allegiance to the companies they work for, either.

Miulang

[mel]

11. The last thing I did to celebrate the 4th of July:

http://img3.buzznet.com/assets/users8/macpro/default/gallery-msg-1120549713-2.jpg

More photos at my BuzzNet site. (http://www.buzznet.com/buzzwords/july%204th/macpro/)

Hope you all had a safe and happy 4th of July holiday.

[DaveNSoKona]

And don't forget, Dave, you are your own boss! If things go awry you only have yourself and Mother Nature to blame (and maybe the government because of the tax situation). That's called down to earth living. I give you a lot of credit for making that sacrifice.

Do you ever regret giving up that 9-to-5 job? I'm thinking of becoming an entrepreneur too. I know it's hard work, but sometimes the BS you get handed by corporations isn't worth it. Companies are no longer loyal to their employees, so employees sure as heck owe no allegiance to the companies they work for, either.

Miulang

Thanks. It really isn't a sacrifice considering the alternative 40-50 hours a week behind a computer screen or in meetings. I made that leap (from being an employee) in 1992 when I quit Nike and became an independent IT contractor. I came to the realization then, that I should get what I can from the corporations up front instead of waiting for the promised pension or possible promotion. Maybe that should read, 'possible pension and unlikely promotion'.

It’s all about having a skill, product or service in demand whether you can make it as a ‘non-employee’ or not. You also have to keep an ear to the ground and be able to change quickly, but not too quickly, with changes in the market. But I am sure you are aware of that. Then taking the leap of faith and quitting. I don’t think there is anything harder than to try and start a business “part-time” while you are still working for someone else, unlike the TV ads proclaim. Starting any business is more than a full-time job until you are many successful years into it.

Coffee farming is a much more physically demanding job, than IT consulting…duh, or almost anything else…except Alaska crab fisherman maybe, but I think it has added years to my life even if I quit next week. I have become very attuned to nature, which is priceless. I am not the kind of coffee farmer who hires everything out.

[Linkmeister]

8. The War in Iraq has been a good diversion to keep the terrorists away from our shores. If we were not fighting there or in Afghanistan the terrorists would have struck here again. So far most of the terrorists efforts have been concentrated over there. Which is good for us here, since we can still live in our relative safety.

See, this is where you and I disagree. I don't think 1750 dead American soldiers, 10,000 or so wounded, and who knows how many Iraqis dead and wounded can be called a "diversion." This whole "fight 'em there" stuff is the ultimate NIMBY, and I don't buy it anyway. I think a determined group of 10-20 (or even fewer) terrorists could still commit a deadly act here, despite the action we've taken in Iraq. I also think we're creating a whole new group of people who hate us by our action there.

10. Yes, this is America and our country is ideologically divided. Can't help it and no one will be satisfied. Just thank God that we still have our freedoms.

God Bless America. Happy 4th of July.

On that we can agree.

[pinakboy]

its a day of rememberance and thanks for the sacrifice of the men and women that gave their service and lives for our great country. the day off is jus a benefit so we can enjoy da day with our family, friends, and love ones in the honor of our fighting men and women. :)