Celebrating Freedom

Happy Independence Day, my friends. What a unique opportunity we have in this country, and how lucky we are in so many ways.

I'm going to resist the (very strong!) temptation to talk about the Declaration of Independence as a statement of Vision Clarity and the Revolutionary War as an excellent example of Strategy Execution. No, today's just a day to say thanks. Here's just a partial list. Thanks to....

• My father, a member of the Greatest Generation, who served in WWII and never talks about it. Same with his twin brother Alan and friends Bobby and Dominic, still together 60 years after the war ended.
• My friend David Gilkeson and all those who served and are still serving our country in the armed forces. David did two stints in Iraq. He left the comfort of his home, his wife, his children, to put his life at risk so we could be a little bit safer. I don't care what your opinion of the war or its politics - we still need to thank those who protect us and ask very little in return.
• My friends and leaders at Bet Haverim and Decatur Prebyterian Church. We have freedom of religion. I get to experience two and appreciate others.
• Again, to Rabbi Josh and those at Bet Haverim. Some of the strongest and most inspiring people you'll ever meet, fighting every day so that the gay and lesbian community have the freedoms that the rest of us take for granted.
• Every law abiding citizen (and especially the whistleblowers) who recognizes that the only way our country will survive is by choosing to work together and live within rules and constraints. Sometimes it is frustrating - but it's a heck of a lot better than anarchy and a 'zero-sum' society. (And if that's 'socialism,' then guilty as charged.)
• Everyone I argue with, disagree with, challenge, prod, and aggravate. Isn't it great that we live in a country where we can?

Is this a perfect country? Of course not. We're human - and individual humans aren't perfect, much less a collection of us trying to get along.

Okay, I give in. Over 200 years ago, our ancestors established this country. Our Declaration of Independence is the vision. Our Consitution provides our Guiding Principles. The Supreme Court, Congress, the Executive Branch - and the people - continuously revalidate and review our Vision, to make sure the goals are still intact and we're still going in the right direction.

July 4, 2009. So far, so good.