I want to wish all my American Brothers and Sisters a Happy Independence Day. TO the men and woman who have fought over the centuries for our independence, I say thank you. We have thrown off the bonds of slavery in many different form over the years, and we shall continue to do so because of the undying ties to freedom we so cherish.

This day, two hundred thirty four years ago, a brave group of men signed the Declaration of Independence from England. They did so knowing that once they penned their name, they were subject to summary execution for high treason against the crown. This show of spirit has fueled this nation in times of great action and deep sorrow. We have not always been without ink on our face. We have done things in our past which we have renounced. However, we have always endured and learned from our past to make a strong future, and will continue to do so. We have begun to repair the strife with our black brothers. We have attempted to and continue to work at making our female sisters equal, completely equal. We have work to do, but we are making strides. Our Native AMerican Brothers and SIsters have been repressed. We have kept them in their reservations, but we have taken action to make payments for our transgressions against them. We still have yards to go. Our latino brothers and sisters are becoming more accepted and integral to our success. We have assimilated, yet adopted and integrated many of their culture into our civilization. They are becoming political foes to not be ignored. Their voices are strong and will continue to grow. We have to make strides still here. However, under all the strife, a resounding voice of freedom resounds! It is by the actions of those brave souls that we have the freedoms we use and challenge on a regular basis. The freedom to assemble. The freedom to protest. The freedom to speak our mind without fear of retribution. The freedom to bear arms against any force that would enslave us again. The freedom to have our day in court and present evidence to our innocence. SO many freedoms these men, and the men and women who have come after them have fought for.

Jacon White, Jr., in 1859, said, "We have learned by experience and by the comparison of ourselves with people similarly situated, to hope that, at some day not very far in futurity, our grievances will be redressed, that our long lost rights will be restored to us, and that, in the full stature of men, we will stand up, and with our once cruel opponents and oppressors rejoice in the Declaration of our common country, and hail with them the approach of the glorious natal day of the Great Republic." These words were penned in the middle of the battle over slavery and civil rights, yet they ring so true today. We come from all different backgrounds, experiences, ways of life, yet we are all brothers and sisters of a nation that celebrates these differences and likenesses. We have a common bond that cannot be broken.

Those brave men in 1776 showed true patriotic spirit, and showed the world the heart of the nation. "An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law." Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best. His words honor the spirit of those men, and the spirit of this nation.

Happy 234th Birthday USA!


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Green Hair - Alternative Cleansers
We all talk about ways to protect the environment. We concern ourselves with going "green" by turning off lights, buying energy star appliances, recycling, but we forget about our hair needs. Let's talk about Green Hair by looking at alternative ways to cleanse your hair!

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