Life of Riley

smart man

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. " Thomas Jefferson

I came across this quote this afternoon while making my way into the city. To me, this quote probably has never before held so much weight. In the past 8+ years we have been engaged militarily within Iraq and Afghanistan. These wars have been tough on America as a country and as an economy. These wars, however, have not brought this country or its economy to its knees in a way that the near-failures of many of the nations financial institutions have. There have been many a discussion on the skirting of laws (and impact on personal civil liberties) within the framework of these wars...it will be interesting how our freedoms will be touched as the government continues to "save" those institutions that put us into this mess to begin with...

happy 4th to all

I am posting this today as I will be away camping on Cape Cod this weekend...should be fun!

I was listening to a talk radio show yesterday morning on my up to Lake Placid and the host, I don't remember who, but he was on Sirius' Patriot station in the morning around 9:30 or so, and he began to tell an interesting bit of history that I was not aware of...

Congress actually voted to declare independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776. We celebrate this independence, and birth of our Nation, on July 4th, which was the date in 1776 when Congress actually approved the wording on the Declaration of Independence. The actual document wasn't actually signed by Congressional delegates until the beginning of August in 1776.

I found this to be interesting. Whatever the date, this time of the year is a great time to sit back and reflect on the freedoms that we are all lucky enough to enjoy. Wherever you stand, however you lean, whatever you believe, be thankful that you are lucky enough to live in a country where it is possible to not only hold a set of beliefs but are able to express them as well.

As we all sit with our friends and family this weekend, take a moment to think of all the brave men and women, past and present, who have selflessly defended the rights and freedoms of all citizens. This is a great country...