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About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers.

-- Calvin Coolidge, speaking on the 150th anniversary of the Declaration.

Happy Independence Day!  Our suburban city is putting on a fireworks show in two locations tonight so that no matter where you live, you will be able to see the fireworks since  they had canceled all of the normal July 4th community Celebrations, etc.  People have been very good with adherence to the COVID restrictions and we are the only county in SoCal that isn't on "the list".  Beach parking is closed, but the beaches are still open.  Hopefully those that go will social distance.  I do not want to see us locked down again.

Happy 4th all.

Maybe we can reflect on the good in this country for a day, because we sure seem obsessed with the bad these days.

Good stuff on old Silent Cal, Fedya. He was practically verbose there. Humor me while I tell my favorite "Silent Cal" story:

He sat silently through a state dinner with a talkative socialite. She finally said to him, "Mr. President, I have a wager with my husband that I'll get at least three words out of of you tonight." He turned to her and said, "You lose."

Anybody else got any Calvin Coolidge knee slappers?

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