“Liberty is the possibility of doubting, the possibility of making a mistake, the possibility of searching and experimenting, the possibility of saying No to any authority — literary, artistic, philosophic, religious, social and even political.”

– Ignazio Silone

Last night I attended a magnificent fireworks display in a very small town.  There were readings, and speeches, and the singing of the National Anthem.  There were flags waving, people applauding, and history recounted.  The names of local citizens who signed the Declaration of Independence were read.  With all the unrest in our world these days, I have run into people who say they will not celebrate the 4th because they disagree with our military presence in other countries.  I say to them, “Celebrate the 4th!”  It is the freedom symbolized by this day and remembered each year that allows you to voice your opinions and know that you will not be persecuted for holding them.

Sometimes, I think, we confuse patriotism with blind agreement with the policies of the leaders who are in office.  Rather, patriotism is the passion for defending freedom — the freedom to agree or to dissent, the freedom to embrace the present ideals or to reframe them in a way that makes the world better.  Celebrate Freedom today, and remember that it was the courageous few in our history who laid their lives on the line to assure that we would be free.  Exercise your freedoms.  Find your own courage to speak your mind.  Be thankful that you live in a place where your voice can be heard.