Why every man needs a wife!
 

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THOMAS SOWELL

Semper Fi Tom Sowell

He's still alive at 92 (b. Jun 30, 1930 in Gastonia, NC), but retired. Sowell grew up in Harlem, served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard, Masters from Columbia, PhD Economics University of Chicago, economist, social theorist, philosopher, author, Senior Fellow Hoover Institution, Stanford University, National Humanities Medal, and Francis Boyer award.

As our great nation celebrates its 247th "birthday" today, I want to take a few minutes to reflect, once again, on what "the land of the free and the home of the brave" really means. On July 4, 1776, America's Founding Fathers gathered to sign a document that began with these immortal words:

And thus, our nation's grand experiment in liberty formally began. This bold Declaration was rooted in our understanding of God-given rights, a firm rejection of man-driven tyranny, and a profound confession of mutual reliance on Providence and our fellow man.

It was an experiment that would put everything at risk and cost many of those men their lives, their fortunes and even their families. Yet, at the heart of this Declaration and woven into the very fabric of America is a constant recognition that the future of our great nation is perpetually in the balance — determined by each generation's willingness to stand and sacrifice.

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Our national question...

This tension between a nation's greatness and its inherent vulnerability can be seen in our National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." A quick survey of most anthems finds much bravado and national pride. The English sing "God Save The Queen," a sentiment that did not play well on this side of the pond. "Advance Australian Fair" proclaims the anthem from "down under." Austrians sing about their "much praised" land as "Home to great daughters and sons."

"Beloved land amongst a thousand others," proclaim Brazilians. And our friends to the north sing, "True patriot love in all thy sons command." Even the world’s smallest country, Monaco, states in its anthem: "Forever, in our land, one flag has flown in the wind."

Yet, in arguably the most powerful and free land in the history of the world, a different anthem is offered. After a night of intense fighting, Francis Scott Key peered into the "dawn's early light" to see if American troops had maintained control of Fort McHenry. The first stanza of his poem, which later became our anthem, posed an enduring question: "Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, over the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Instead of an anthem full of pride and inflated language about our greatness, Americans sing forth a national… question. Every time our anthem is sung, that question goes forth: Will we survive the battles of the night? Will our flag of liberty under God still be raised at the dawn's early light?

Our national question is answered in the stanzas that follow, but it seems fitting that these words are not sung as our "anthem." Instead, at every formal gathering and every major sporting event, our national question goes forth:

Oh say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?

This is why America is unique among nations. Yes, we can question. Yes, we challenge each other "in order to form a more perfect union." And yes, we acknowledge that the future destiny of our nation is always in question. Our future is dependent upon the faithfulness, determination and dedication of patriot-citizens who are willing to answer the call, to stand for the anthem, and to boldly sing forth our national question, knowing that the answer depends on our commitment to liberty and our firm reliance on the Creator and each other.

Happy Independence Day!

Standing for life, liberty and limited government,

P.S. Here are the subsequent stanzas of the "Star-Spangled Banner" that answer America's national question posed in the first verse:

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:

'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore

That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,

A home and a country should leave us no more!

Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.

No refuge could save the hireling and slave

From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:

And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home  

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The TV Series "Yellowstone" has done a great deal to restore interest in our western culture and history when America expanded by going West. It has revived interest in Rodeos, caused Western Boots to become popular and revived interest in a unique facet of our culture that is exclusively American. 

Lynn and I have spent a great deal of time out west and own a significant amount of Western Art including native American pots, Kachina's and bead work.

For anyone who still loves this country "go west," find and hug a true cowboy and expose yourself to the magnificent beauty of our nation.

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Those who voted for Biden did not get what they expected.  Actually the got a bunch of lies.  He failed as the education president.  He failed as the economic president.  He failed as the narcotics president .

He basically has failed at everything and on top of his failures he is corrupt.

Then why are they willing to vote for him a second time?

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If every city in America was subject to rocketing by those who escaped the Middle East and came to America legally or otherwise would we tolerate this?

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As IDF withdraws from Jenin: Five rockets fired from Gaza towards Israel

Remains of one rocket hit home in Sderot, no injuries. IDF strikes targets in Gaza in retaliation.

Israel National News

Sirens were sounded on Tuesday night in Sderot and in the communities located near the border with the Gaza Strip.

Locals reported hearing sounds of explosions in the area.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed that five rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli territory.

“The IDF Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted all the rocket launches,” it said.

The City of Sderot reported that the remains of one of the rockets hit a home in the city. There were no injuries, but damage was caused to a wall in the home. The family members were in a protected space at the time of the rocket attack.

In response to the rocket attack, IDF fighter jets struck an underground weapons manufacturing facility used by the chemical department of the Hamas terrorist organization, as well as a raw materials manufacturing facility for rockets belonging to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“This strike significantly impeded the Hamas terrorist organization’s intensification and armament efforts,” the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

“The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization responsible for all terror activities emanating from the Gaza Strip and will face the consequences of security violations against Israel,” it added.

The rocket fire from Gaza occurred as IDF troops began to withdraw from the refugee camp in Jenin following the counterterrorist operation there.

Earlier on Tuesday, it was cleared for publication that an IDF soldier was killed during operational activity in Jenin.

The soldier was taken to hospital in critical condition for medical treatment, but was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said, "This evening (Tuesday), a non-commissioned officer in combat service was killed by live fire during the operation against terrorist infrastructure in the Jenin Camp."

"His family has been notified. The IDF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family and will continue to support them. "

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