Happy Independence Day!

Lest we forget the true meaning of Independence Day, that freedom and liberty are not a historical occurrence but are fought for in word and deed every day that our country exists, I present an excerpt from a speech Frederick Douglass was asked to give to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 5, 1852:

At a time like this, scorching irony, not convincing argument, is needed. O! had I the ability, and could reach the nation's ear, I would, to-day, pour out a fiery stream of biting ridicule, blasting reproach, withering sarcasm, and stern rebuke. For it is not light that is needed, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; the conscience of the nation must be roused; the propriety of the nation must be startled; the hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed; and its crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced.

As the Statue of Liberty herself might say, "Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose."