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Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Our Top Five Stories Of The Week
Here are our five most read stories of the week. Don't miss even one of them:
Monday, July 4, 2011
Fate Of Marriage: Careful What You Wish For
Ross Douthat has an insightful and thought-provoking column in the New York Times on the possible implications of the shifiting definition of marriage. He examines the situation carefully and dispassionately. It's worth everyone's attention.
Here's an excerpt:
Click here to read the entire column.
Here's an excerpt:
Institutions tend to be strongest when they make significant moral demands, and weaker when they pre-emptively accommodate themselves to human nature.
Critics of gay marriage see this as one of the great dangers in severing the link between marriage and the two realities — gender difference and procreation — that it originally evolved to address. A successful marital culture depends not only on a general ideal of love and commitment, but on specific promises, exclusions and taboos. And the less specific and more inclusive an institution becomes, the more likely people are to approach it casually, if they enter it at all.
In courts and now legislatures, this has been a losing argument. But as gay New Yorkers ponder what they want their marriages to mean, they should consider one of its implications: The hardest promises to keep are often the ones that keep people together.The columnist refers to courts and legislatures and suggests that in these bodies the stand against gay marriage has been "a losing argument." But, it's worth noting that in the 31 states where voters have been given the choice to redefine marriage, the traditional definition of marriage has won every time.
Click here to read the entire column.
Dom Giordano Likes It, And So Will You!
This morning Dom Giordano kicked off his hugely successful radio program on The Big Talker, 1210 AM in Philadelphia by mentioning our list of the 100 Reasons To Love America,
Dom called the list "wonderful" and we are flattered to be so recognized. Thanks, Dom!
Here's the list again, in honor of the 4th of July:
This is our own rather subjective list.
You can feel free to add or subtract from this list or create your own list. America gives you the freedom to do that -- and a lot more. God bless America!
1) Our constitution. The thread that holds us together and the bulwark of democracy.
2) Our federal system of 50 states, each distinctive, each free and independent but united as well.
3) The Liberty Bell. Forever flawed though nonetheless inspiring and eternal.
4) The Founding Fathers and what they wrought. They risked their lives, property, fortunes and sacred honor.
5) American summers, for summer is surely America's season.
6) Old glory, our flag -- proud, bright, brash and always flying high.
7) In God We Trust. Our ensuing faith in Him and His destiny for us.
8) Baseball. While football may be America's sport, baseball remains its pastime. There is a difference.
9) The 4th of July. Our birthday and our touchstone.
10) Free elections. The right to choose the leaders that we want.
11) Jazz. America's unique musical art form.
12) Those who served. Our veterans, protectors of our freedom.
13) The American Red Cross. There when we need them.
14) Our free enterprise system. A model for the entire world.
15) Country music. The hip-slapping spirit of America.
16) Hollywood. Tinseltown and its gift to the world -- movies.
17) The Statue of Liberty. May her torch always be held high.
18) Walt Disney. The gift of imagination and wholesome entertainment from an American genius.
19) Our military --every branch and every one who serves.
20) The Grand Canyon. In a word, breathtaking.
21) The legacy of Ronald Reagan -- the leader who showed us the way and opened the door to the 21st Century.
22) Freedom to worship, Our many houses of faith all across the land.
23) The Interstate Highway System. Thank you, President Eisenhower.
24) Our first responders, brave and steadfast.
25) Small towns. Where America's heart beats true.
26) Television. For better or worse, it reflects us and epitomizes the popular culture.
27) Our farmers. Keeping the agrarian spirit alive and the horn of plenty full.
28) Broadway. The Great White Way, and all that it represents and all the hustle and bustle that surrounds it.
29) American cars (and our love affair with the car). The US auto industry has seen better days but don't ever count it out.
30) Coca-Cola. The drink that IS America.
31) Las Vegas. Vegas, baby, Vegas!
32) Thanksgiving. A uniquely American holiday and the kickoff to our buying season.
33) The Rocky Mountains. America's sturdy backbone.
34) Neighbors and neighborhoods. Our real time, real people link in a high-tech age.
35) Our national park system. Even with those pesky rangers, it's a joy.
36) The Grand Old Party. The Party that saved the union -- keeping faith in America through good times and bad.
37) Apple pie. Yummy, yummy!
38) Gospel music. Expressing faith, love, joy and anguish.
39)The Gateway Arch. A soaring, inspiring welcome to America's frontier.
40) Cowboys. The soul of our wanderlust.
41) Elvis Presley. The King is on the premises.
42) McDonald's -- every one of them and every diner and roadside eatery in between.
43) Horticulture. Roses and marigolds and azaleas and magnolias and all those other beautiful flowers and all the people who help make them bloom.
44) Our volunteer spirit -- from Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys right up to the present day.
45) Those who gave their all. All those who died protecting our freedoms, many buried on foreign soil. And all POWs and MIAs. We shall never forget.
46) A free press. We love them. We hate them. We curse them. We praise them. But where would we be without them?
47) The blues. Sad, sultry, soulful.
48) Andy Warhol. He made the ordinary extraordinary.
49) Starbucks. Keeping us alert and ready.
50) Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey. Still the greatest show on earth!
51) Big Sur and the entire California coast, from top to bottom.
52) Free public libraries. Learn, baby, learn!
53) Our system of higher education -- especially our great public universities.
54) The legacy of Norman Rockwell. The man who showed us the best in ourselves.
55) Texas. Big. Bold. Proud. American.
56) Ferris wheels. From the 1893 Chicago World's Fair till now, still enchanting.
57) The Kentucky Derby. The legendary run for the roses.
58) Mount Rushmore. Our history wrought mammoth.
59) The Smithsonian. Endlessly fascinating and free.
60) NASA. To the moon and beyond.
61) Rush Limbaugh. The inimitable, indestructible Maharushdie.
62) The South. Lush land of tall tales, spirited music, colorful characters and firey history.
63) Hot dogs. Plump, juicy and smothered with your choice of dressings, garnishes, condiments, whatever . .
64) Home sweet home. The house you live it; your land, your property, your domicile.
65) The Great Lakes. Can you name all five of them?
66) Grandma Moses. The modern-day mother or primitive American art.
67) Marilyn Monroe. Defying convention, she made America sexy once and for all.
68) The Mississippi. Mighty from top to bottom and everywhere in between.
69) The Indy 500. Vrrroooomm, vrrrrroooomm!
70) The great wits. From Mark Twain to Will Rogers to Dorothy Parker to Art Buchwald to Erma Bombeck to P. J. O'Rourke.
71) The heartland. From Ohio to Iowa, where ordinary, everyday America thrives.
72) Blue jeans. On the farm, in the city and everywhere else.
73) "God Bless America." The people's anthem that Irving Berlin wrote just for us.
74) Independence Hall. Where it all began.
75) The Lincoln Memorial and the man it celebrates. The ultimate monument to the single most compelling figure in American history.
76) Rock 'n roll (aka rock). Rhythm 'n blues, jazz, honkey talk, soul, gospel -- all rolled into one.
77) The West. Where our restless spirit was born.
78) Sneakers. from PF Flyers, Keds and Chuck Taylor Converse to a $13 billion a year industry, we love 'em.
79) The Drudge Report. Because we need to know.
80) Barbecue. Beef or pork, wet or dry, hot or sweet, it's America.
81) The Washington Monument. The highest point in the capital and a fitting tribute to the father of our country.
82) Alaska and Hawaii. Our exotic and adventurous extremes.
83) Uncle Sam. When he calls, be sure to answer.
84) The Stars and Stripes Forever, and all of those great Sousa marches and their Sousa bands.
85) Native Americans. This land is their land.
86) Chicago architecture. Art that we live in, work in, play in; a living lesson in soaring beauty; a skyline to emulate.
87) Walt Whitman. "I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear . . . "
88) U. S. Olympic athletes. "USA! USA! USA!"
89) Our storytelling tradition and the Great American Novel.
90) New Orleans. A sassy, saucy, scintillating survivor.
91) Rugged individualists, gadflies, iconoclasts, muckrakers and all those who afflict the powerful. Charge onward!
92) Harley Davidson. Still the king of the road.
93) Geeks. Zuckerberg, Jobs, Wozniak, Gates and the whole damned Silicon Valley.
94) Comics and comic books. From zany dimwits and lovable losers to iconic super heroes.
95) Truckers and truck stops. Keep on Rollin!
96) New England. Lobster, chowder, rugged seacoasts and cherished traditions.
97) Scientific pioneers. The searchers, the discoverers, the trailblazers and all those who make the breakthroughs that enrich and lengthen our lives.
98) American fashion. From Ralph and Tommy and Donna and Vera. From Seventh Avenue to the world.
99) Willie Nelson. Is there any one he hasn't sung with or any genre of music he hasn't yet recorded?
100) The American Dream. A better life for our children and our children's children. Always, our best days lie ahead.
Copyright 2011 by Daniel A. Cirucci
Dom called the list "wonderful" and we are flattered to be so recognized. Thanks, Dom!
Here's the list again, in honor of the 4th of July:
You can feel free to add or subtract from this list or create your own list. America gives you the freedom to do that -- and a lot more. God bless America!
1) Our constitution. The thread that holds us together and the bulwark of democracy.
2) Our federal system of 50 states, each distinctive, each free and independent but united as well.
3) The Liberty Bell. Forever flawed though nonetheless inspiring and eternal.
4) The Founding Fathers and what they wrought. They risked their lives, property, fortunes and sacred honor.
5) American summers, for summer is surely America's season.
6) Old glory, our flag -- proud, bright, brash and always flying high.
7) In God We Trust. Our ensuing faith in Him and His destiny for us.
8) Baseball. While football may be America's sport, baseball remains its pastime. There is a difference.
9) The 4th of July. Our birthday and our touchstone.
10) Free elections. The right to choose the leaders that we want.
11) Jazz. America's unique musical art form.
12) Those who served. Our veterans, protectors of our freedom.
13) The American Red Cross. There when we need them.
14) Our free enterprise system. A model for the entire world.
15) Country music. The hip-slapping spirit of America.
16) Hollywood. Tinseltown and its gift to the world -- movies.
17) The Statue of Liberty. May her torch always be held high.
18) Walt Disney. The gift of imagination and wholesome entertainment from an American genius.
19) Our military --every branch and every one who serves.
20) The Grand Canyon. In a word, breathtaking.
21) The legacy of Ronald Reagan -- the leader who showed us the way and opened the door to the 21st Century.
22) Freedom to worship, Our many houses of faith all across the land.
23) The Interstate Highway System. Thank you, President Eisenhower.
24) Our first responders, brave and steadfast.
25) Small towns. Where America's heart beats true.
26) Television. For better or worse, it reflects us and epitomizes the popular culture.
27) Our farmers. Keeping the agrarian spirit alive and the horn of plenty full.
28) Broadway. The Great White Way, and all that it represents and all the hustle and bustle that surrounds it.
29) American cars (and our love affair with the car). The US auto industry has seen better days but don't ever count it out.
30) Coca-Cola. The drink that IS America.
31) Las Vegas. Vegas, baby, Vegas!
32) Thanksgiving. A uniquely American holiday and the kickoff to our buying season.
33) The Rocky Mountains. America's sturdy backbone.
34) Neighbors and neighborhoods. Our real time, real people link in a high-tech age.
35) Our national park system. Even with those pesky rangers, it's a joy.
36) The Grand Old Party. The Party that saved the union -- keeping faith in America through good times and bad.
37) Apple pie. Yummy, yummy!
38) Gospel music. Expressing faith, love, joy and anguish.
39)The Gateway Arch. A soaring, inspiring welcome to America's frontier.
40) Cowboys. The soul of our wanderlust.
41) Elvis Presley. The King is on the premises.
42) McDonald's -- every one of them and every diner and roadside eatery in between.
43) Horticulture. Roses and marigolds and azaleas and magnolias and all those other beautiful flowers and all the people who help make them bloom.
44) Our volunteer spirit -- from Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys right up to the present day.
45) Those who gave their all. All those who died protecting our freedoms, many buried on foreign soil. And all POWs and MIAs. We shall never forget.
46) A free press. We love them. We hate them. We curse them. We praise them. But where would we be without them?
47) The blues. Sad, sultry, soulful.
48) Andy Warhol. He made the ordinary extraordinary.
49) Starbucks. Keeping us alert and ready.
50) Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey. Still the greatest show on earth!
51) Big Sur and the entire California coast, from top to bottom.
52) Free public libraries. Learn, baby, learn!
53) Our system of higher education -- especially our great public universities.
54) The legacy of Norman Rockwell. The man who showed us the best in ourselves.
55) Texas. Big. Bold. Proud. American.
56) Ferris wheels. From the 1893 Chicago World's Fair till now, still enchanting.
57) The Kentucky Derby. The legendary run for the roses.
58) Mount Rushmore. Our history wrought mammoth.
59) The Smithsonian. Endlessly fascinating and free.
60) NASA. To the moon and beyond.
61) Rush Limbaugh. The inimitable, indestructible Maharushdie.
62) The South. Lush land of tall tales, spirited music, colorful characters and firey history.
63) Hot dogs. Plump, juicy and smothered with your choice of dressings, garnishes, condiments, whatever . .
64) Home sweet home. The house you live it; your land, your property, your domicile.
65) The Great Lakes. Can you name all five of them?
66) Grandma Moses. The modern-day mother or primitive American art.
67) Marilyn Monroe. Defying convention, she made America sexy once and for all.
68) The Mississippi. Mighty from top to bottom and everywhere in between.
69) The Indy 500. Vrrroooomm, vrrrrroooomm!
70) The great wits. From Mark Twain to Will Rogers to Dorothy Parker to Art Buchwald to Erma Bombeck to P. J. O'Rourke.
71) The heartland. From Ohio to Iowa, where ordinary, everyday America thrives.
72) Blue jeans. On the farm, in the city and everywhere else.
73) "God Bless America." The people's anthem that Irving Berlin wrote just for us.
74) Independence Hall. Where it all began.
75) The Lincoln Memorial and the man it celebrates. The ultimate monument to the single most compelling figure in American history.
76) Rock 'n roll (aka rock). Rhythm 'n blues, jazz, honkey talk, soul, gospel -- all rolled into one.
77) The West. Where our restless spirit was born.
78) Sneakers. from PF Flyers, Keds and Chuck Taylor Converse to a $13 billion a year industry, we love 'em.
79) The Drudge Report. Because we need to know.
80) Barbecue. Beef or pork, wet or dry, hot or sweet, it's America.
81) The Washington Monument. The highest point in the capital and a fitting tribute to the father of our country.
82) Alaska and Hawaii. Our exotic and adventurous extremes.
83) Uncle Sam. When he calls, be sure to answer.
84) The Stars and Stripes Forever, and all of those great Sousa marches and their Sousa bands.
85) Native Americans. This land is their land.
86) Chicago architecture. Art that we live in, work in, play in; a living lesson in soaring beauty; a skyline to emulate.
87) Walt Whitman. "I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear . . . "
88) U. S. Olympic athletes. "USA! USA! USA!"
89) Our storytelling tradition and the Great American Novel.
90) New Orleans. A sassy, saucy, scintillating survivor.
91) Rugged individualists, gadflies, iconoclasts, muckrakers and all those who afflict the powerful. Charge onward!
92) Harley Davidson. Still the king of the road.
93) Geeks. Zuckerberg, Jobs, Wozniak, Gates and the whole damned Silicon Valley.
94) Comics and comic books. From zany dimwits and lovable losers to iconic super heroes.
95) Truckers and truck stops. Keep on Rollin!
96) New England. Lobster, chowder, rugged seacoasts and cherished traditions.
97) Scientific pioneers. The searchers, the discoverers, the trailblazers and all those who make the breakthroughs that enrich and lengthen our lives.
98) American fashion. From Ralph and Tommy and Donna and Vera. From Seventh Avenue to the world.
99) Willie Nelson. Is there any one he hasn't sung with or any genre of music he hasn't yet recorded?
100) The American Dream. A better life for our children and our children's children. Always, our best days lie ahead.
Copyright 2011 by Daniel A. Cirucci
Long May It Wave - Now And Forever!
John Philip Sousa's The Stars And Stripes Forever by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
The Meaning Of The 4th Of July!
..."Oh, there have been revolutions before and since ours. But those revolutions simply exchanged one set of rules for another. Ours was a revolution that changed the very concept of government.
Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-gi...ven rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people.
We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.
Happy Fourth of July. "
~Written in his own hand by Ronald Reagan President of the United States 1981
BTW: Though the media consistently attempted to portray Ronald Reagan as an "amiable dunce," ordinary American citizens knew this was not the case. Reagan was an exceptionally well-read leader -- a man who knew his history. He was also a prolific writer. He wrote many of his own speeches, kept an exhaustive daily diary and wrote thousands of letters -- many in his own hand.
Those who worked for Reagan attested to the fact that he was an astute editor as well. He knew the power of words and was able to convey more with a few words than many of today's leaders can convey with thousands of words.
Obviously, no holiday brought Reagan more pleasure than the 4th of July. That's because he knew and understood the true meaning of the day.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Freedom We Don't Exercise Enough
At sometime during this Fourth of July weekend, you'll hear these words from the Declaration of Independence:
"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."
We're all inclined to focus on the "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," but if you do, you may something important.
It relates directly to the Freedom we Americans don't exercise enough.
"They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."
The Founding Fathers were Deists. They believed in a power greater than themselves. A God that gave them unalienable rights, rights that no earthly power - not even the government - could take them away.
Our ancestors risked their lives crossing the Atlantic Ocean to come here, solely so they could worship as they wished. Our nation was founded on the belief that God entitled them to be free and happy, and not even the mighty King of England could change that.
The Democracy we enjoy was founded on our Freedom of Religion; today we give that precious right away without thinking about it.
We're told that we don't need to rely on our Creator that has endowed us with these unalienable rights. Unless it's Christmas, or a High Holy Day, our places are worship aren't as full as they should be. The Ten Commandments are taken off of the front of courthouses. People would rather sleep in or watch football than spend an hour in worship. "In God We Trust" may be on the dollar bill, but the words are meaningless to many.
This "Me First" Godless attitude is really starting to fray the fabric on which America was made. You really have to shake your head on some of the things we see happening in the news.
But it's not too late. And Independence Day is a great time to start. On America's Birthday, look up to the heavens and thank your Creator for your unalienable rights and living in the greatest country in the world. Do it however you'd like. After all, your Free to Worship however you'd like. This is America.
"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."
We're all inclined to focus on the "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," but if you do, you may something important.
It relates directly to the Freedom we Americans don't exercise enough.
"They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."
The Founding Fathers were Deists. They believed in a power greater than themselves. A God that gave them unalienable rights, rights that no earthly power - not even the government - could take them away.
Our ancestors risked their lives crossing the Atlantic Ocean to come here, solely so they could worship as they wished. Our nation was founded on the belief that God entitled them to be free and happy, and not even the mighty King of England could change that.
The Democracy we enjoy was founded on our Freedom of Religion; today we give that precious right away without thinking about it.
We're told that we don't need to rely on our Creator that has endowed us with these unalienable rights. Unless it's Christmas, or a High Holy Day, our places are worship aren't as full as they should be. The Ten Commandments are taken off of the front of courthouses. People would rather sleep in or watch football than spend an hour in worship. "In God We Trust" may be on the dollar bill, but the words are meaningless to many.
This "Me First" Godless attitude is really starting to fray the fabric on which America was made. You really have to shake your head on some of the things we see happening in the news.
But it's not too late. And Independence Day is a great time to start. On America's Birthday, look up to the heavens and thank your Creator for your unalienable rights and living in the greatest country in the world. Do it however you'd like. After all, your Free to Worship however you'd like. This is America.
More Proof: Reagan Said It Best
“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July, but the democrats believe every day is April 15.”
--Ronald Reagan
Disgraceful: 42% Don't Know Key Facts About July 4th
| Just in time for the July 4th weekend, the Marist Poll has asked Americans in which year the United States declared its independence. And, the result is many Americans need to brush up on their American history. Only 58% of residents know that the United States declared its independence in 1776. 26% are unsure, and 16% mentioned another date. There are age differences on this question. Younger Americans are the least likely to know the correct answer. Only 31% of adults younger than 30 say that 1776 is the year in which the United States broke away from Great Britain. 59% of residents between 30 and 44 report the same. Americans 45 to 59 — 75% — are the age group most likely to have the correct answer. Among those 60 and older, 60% report that 1776 is the year in which the United States declared its independence. When it comes to gender, men — 65% — are more likely to respond with 1776 than are women — 52%. And, for the second year, about one in four Americans doesn’t know from which country the United States declared its independence. While 76% correctly cite Great Britain, 19% are unsure, and 5% mention another country. A comparable proportion of Americans were similarly informed at this time last year. At that time, 74% thought the United States declared its independence from Great Britain, 20% were unsure, and 6% mentioned another country. 80% of those 60 and older, 77% of those 45 to 59, and 77% of those between 30 and 44 report the nation’s founding fathers revolted against Great Britain. This compares with 67% of those under the age of 30 who say the same. Men — 83% — are more likely than women — 68% — to know that the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. |
The Story Behind 'America The Beautiful'
| O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! |
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
How the song came to be . . .
The lyrics to this beautiful song were written by Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929), a professor of English literature at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, after an inspiring trip to the top of Pikes Peak, Colorado in 1893.Her poem, America the Beautiful first appeared in print in The Congregationalist, a weekly journal, on July 4, 1895. Ms. Bates revised the lyrics in 1904 and again in 1913.
In addition to those changes in the words, it is notable that the poem was not always sung to the tune originally known as "Materna," (composed by Samuel A. Ward in 1882, nearly a decade before the poem was written).
In fact, for two years after it was written it was sung to just about any popular or folk tune that would fit with the lyrics, with "Auld Lang Syne" being the most notable of those. The words were not published together with "Materna" until 1910, and even after that time, the tune to be used was challenged to some degree. For example, in 1926 the National Federation of Music Clubs held a contest to put the poem to new, reportedly "less somber," music, but no other entry was determined to be more acceptable.
Before her death in 1929, Ms. Bates never indicated publicly which music she liked best, but it now appears likely that America the Beautiful will forever be associated with "Materna."
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