What is the true meaning of Independence Day?

For many, Independence Day is a time to gather with family and friends to watch fireworks, chow down on hamburgers & hotdogs, and celebrate American independence. I have tremendously deep and heartfelt gratitude for the many, many brave service people who have given themselves and made great personal sacrifices in service to the people of the United States in the name of freedom and democracy.

Here we are, though, Independence Day, 2007- four years and several months after George W. Bush cavalierly declared "Mission Accompished" and the supposed "end to major combat operations in Iraq," atop an aircraft carrier in his flight suit. Yet, the American troops killed since then are topping 3500 dead, 25,000 plus seriously wounded or dismembered, and sure to climb much higher before our brave men and women serving there in the armed forces are all brought home (which, with Gates, Petraeus, and others now pushing for a 'permanent presence' in Iraq is looking highly unlikely to happen anytime soon- if in our lifetime).

Why did we REALLY invade Iraq anyway?? Was it because Sadam really had Weapons of Mass Destruction? Obviously not. Was it to replace dictatorship with democracy? That apparently didn't work either- we have become occupiers and our respect and stature as a nation in the world community has continued to dwindle as Iraq descends further and further into civil war and lawless violence. Was it for humanitarian reasons? That has been debunked as well- thanks to Mr. Bush and his administration single-handedly seeking to demolish both the Geneva Conventions and writ of habeus corpus, as well as basic protections guaranteed in the Bill of Rights (like freedom from unreasonable searches and surveillance of U.S. citizens without a warrant or judicial oversight).

Mr. Bush has taken our nation backwards several huge steps, and we as the American people along with our other elected representatives have allowed him to do it. Our nation desperately needed a president who would be a uniter. Instead we got one who considers himself the sole "decider"- above accountability to any other branches of government, and apparently also beyond any accountability to the American people or even the American justice system- whose decisions he unilaterally invalidates at will.

To add insult to injury, in a desperate attempt to salvage his tarnished presidental legacy, Mr. Bush made a grand proclamation on July 4th trying to compare the war in Iraq to the American Revolutionary War for independence. The founders of our great nation and framers of the U.S. Constitution must be rolling over in their graves. The unilateral, unjustified war in Iraq and subsequent occupation has not and will not bring about 'freedom' it has led to greater anarchy and become a recruiting cry for radical Islamists.

Don't get me wrong- I give A LOT of credit to our brave service men and women who have put their lives on the line in service to our nation- or even more boldly made the ultimate sacrifice. What message do we send to the families of these brave soldiers when our president and his administration continues to feed us all a pack of lies and half-truths about why we invaded Iraq in the first place?? Does that sort of dishonesty and lack of accountability from our commander in chief not dishonor those who have served so bravely?

Yes, I know I know- Independence Day is a day to wave the American flag, put our hands over our hearts and bow for moments of silence in the hallowed national church of American civil religion- perhaps even including joining hands and singing a stirring rendition of "God Bless the USA." But what ever happened to the freedom to express dissent or speak out against perceived injustice- even if it is unpopular?

Does that only apply if one is of a certain background or ideological persuasion?

What happened to the American promise:

""Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

penned so eloquently by Emma Lazarus and inscribed on our own statue of liberty?

Has America become an elitist, exclusionary, hypocritical country- proclaiming freedom, then denying it to those who seek it unless they are privileged and well-connected? This is not the end of this story. The people will speak and be heard.

Beyond partisanship, beyond ideological differences we must all find the courage to stand boldly and speak truth to power- albeit peacefully- on important occasions, otherwise, I believe we lose our social conscience, little by little, until all that remains is apathy and indifference.

May we all find or reclaim that inner voice of justice and peace that speaks truthfully and faithfully even in the midst of pressured patriotism. In many ways, I believe that is one of the greatest sorts of courage.

May God help and guide us ALL- not just those of us within the borders of this nation.

Peace be with you,

John