Happy Birthday America

This is a sober reminder that the freedom’s proclaimed on July 4, 1776 are not free, they come at a high cost.

Now I admit to having very mixed feelings about the current war in Iraq — weighing the loss of human life on all sides and whether the mission of fighting terrorism is really being accomplished.

However, one thing is abundantly clear, we are in a war on several fronts and those of us safe at home owe a tremendous debt to those men and women who are in harm’s way.

People can, and will, debate the mission, after all the ability to express differing ideas is one of the rights proclaimed more than 200 years ago.

But there can be no debate that those people in all walks of military life today need our support, as do those they have left behind at home.

What also comes to my mind this Fourth of July is the responsibility we all have to be informed citizens.

Too many times we get wrapped up in living our day to day lives not paying attention to what is going on around us.

We scan the headlines or hear the news but it does not really impact us.

It is much easier to read or listen to the latest pundits proclaim their opinions and not seek out the information needed to form our own opinions.

We follow along with whatever crowd we most associate with.

We owe it to those who are protecting us to be informed citizens who are willing to take the time to think about today’s issues.

And those issues go well beyond what is happening in the world situation as Americans face decisions on just what is the best way to fight terrorism.

They are also much closer to home.

It has always been a pet peeve of mine that Americans are more likely to vote in presidential elections than in the choosing of their local school board member.

Now don’t get me wrong, we should all vote in presidential elections, but we should also be just as passionate about local and state elections.

Those local elected officials are the ones that set the curriculum our children will study, decide whether a new park is needed in our neighborhood or if a road connecting our city to the rest of the state and nation is really needed.

This need to be informed also places a great responsibility on those of us in the media.

I have always resisted the attempt to place myself in the big all encompassing word — media. I tend to think of the media more on the world stage, that reporter on the steps of the nation’s Capitol.

But in reality, local newspapers are the media and we have a responsibility to provide our readers with the information they need to make decisions about local issues.

So, with that said, if you see us not doing the job you think we need to be doing, let us know.

We may have a legitimate difference of opinion on your thoughts, but we also need to hear them.

So now that I have rambled on several subjects - lets get back to the Fourth of July.

This year as we enjoy the fireworks, lets not forget the sacrifice being made in all parts of the world that is allowing us to enjoy a special day with friends and family.

Happy Fourth of July.



(Cheryl Tatum / Examiner)