Happy Fourth of July, America!

July 4th, 2013. The United States is 236 years old today (and quite the young lady, huh?). So, fire up your grills, pop open a frosty one, call your family and friends, and heck, go watch some fireworks, because that's what we do on the Fourth of July, right?

Well...not exactly. Remember the reason we are a country in the first place; we faced oppression from an unruly government. The original 13 colonies and its people felt they were underrepresented in the British governement while being overtaxed. Remember the key words in 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." Remember that the United States stands as a symbol of freedom and prosperity, and that there are many men and women in service fighting battles out there, following their belief in protecting this nation. Remember the various cultures that compose this country, the many religions people are free to believe in, the promise of a good life people from other nations come to believe of this nation. Remember what the United States represents...and ensure that your freedoms and beliefs do not harm others. For a freedom of one at the cost of another...is not a freedom at all.

Now, go out and celebrate this country's growing pains and gains. Me? Well, I'll probably lounge at home and watch some movies or play video games, or go out on the ol' Harley for a freedom ride, or just go to a local park and watch the fireworks show. All I know is that I appreciate living in this country, faults and all, and hope her prosperity continues to grow.

The United States and Same-Sex Marriage

I was in the process of writing a different post when I heard the news.

The news: The Supreme Court has struck down portions of DOMA. It also declined an appeal to overturn a lower court's ruling in California that Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the state, is unconstitutional. In short, same-sex couples are allowed federal benefits and same-sex marriage is allowed in California.

I'm happy for this ruling, even if it took the Supreme Court for this to happen. I'm a little peeved that it took so long because the Civil Rights era was back in the 1960s, and even that shouldn't have existed! Civil rights, human rights, should have been equal to all, regardless of gender, race, and even sexual preference. We are all human beings entitled to our own happiness and peace; what does it matter to a person if they don't have the same views as another, so long as it is not trampling on your freedoms? I'm of the mind that if you live your life peacefully and your lifestyle doesn't harm another, live your life the way you want.

This whole ordeal regarding same-sex marriage and sexual attraction should not matter to another. Why? Because a person cannot be another person; you are who you are. Each one of us is an individual, each one of us is entitled to our happiness. And if our happiness is found in another partner, it shouldn't matter to other people if the partner is of the opposite sex or the same sex. What matters is that a human being found his significant other and his family and friends should celebrate this joyous occasion.

Please don't forget the final line of our National Anthem: "Land of the free, Home of the brave." To all those same-sex couples out there: congratulations. You're efforts have paid off and helped remind me that the United States is a country that stands for the freedom of its citizens.