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Shuttle Launch Success
mkosmo writes to tell us NASA is reporting that shuttle launch today was successful. This launch occurred despite the safety warnings from many top NASA officials.
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As long as there are plce I haven't yet been on Earth that I would pay good money to visit, I wouldn't really have much desire to go into Space.
I've travelled a bit, but there are just SO many places I haven't been that I want to see right here on the planet.
I would have thought Return of the Jedi taught you that you can't just build the same superweapon twice.
How we know is more important than what we know.
Okay, American Revolution history as short as I can:
England started taxing the American colonialists too high for their liking, things got hot, and on April 19, 1775 the shooting war broke out.
Come spring of 1776 Americans are getting their ass handed to them and support for the war is waning. A bunch of rich white men (not that it's a bad thing, just trying to make this very simple) got together to decide what to do. The Declaration of Independence was drawn up and signed by 56 (might be off by 1 or 2 here) men that had a lot to lose if the Americans didn't win this war.
They'd be killed. In fact, many were killed in the course of the war. It took some real balls to sign that document. Of course, it is also highly probable that they were drunk off their asses during the debate. Possibly the signing. Our early government had a tendency to work that way.
It was basically a giant middle finger to King George III and the Parliament. Mostly King George, though.
Now, to answer your questions directly:
What independence are you celebrating?
Technically we're celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the men that stood behind it. There's a subtle difference and it is lost on most of the American population. We weren't actually independent on July 4, 1776 -- we just said we were.
What is it that you gained independence from?
The British monarchy.
Are you still independent of it today?
Well, yes. Even the people of England are free of the monarchy at this point. However, and this is not a popular thought among Americans, we're inadvertently creating our own monarchy here. Multiple members of the same families keep showing up in our political realm. John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960. His younger brothers Robet and Edward (Ted) Kennedy were later elected Senators. Robert was assianated, just like John F. Kennedy. Ted Kennedy still serves on the Senate, having been there since 1962!
Ted Kennedy's son, Patrick is also serving in our House of Representatives.
George H. W. Bush was elected President in 1988, after having served as as Congressman and Vice President under President Reagan. His son George is now President and another son, Jeb, is governor of the state of Florida.
Bill Clinton was elected President in 1992 after having served as governor of the state of Arkansas. His wife, Hillary, is now a Senator from the state of New York and is considered a possible candidate for President in 2008.
There are some people that think that Jeb Bush, the current president's brother, may make a bid for the 2008 Republican ticket. It's a long shot, but it's possible.
Why? I don't know -- I guess people just like the thought of having a "royal" family, or families, as heads of government.
How far we have fallen...