Happy Birthday, America

[Joe8915]

Due to a vacation, I will not be online to wish America a Happy Birthday. So I am going a day early.

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

God bless our men and women over seas.

 

[Alc]

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born

...and any Greeks who try to claim otherwise are damned liars!

 

[Pauldohert]

I was giving that post the benefit of the doubt - it did seem to claim the the founding of the USA was also the founding of democracy!

 

[Pauldohert]

Its a little difficult when you seemingly claim the invention of democracy, and try to usurp the name of the landmass/continent you occupy.


Then there are those of us who feel the world may be better of with the USA still as a territory of some guiding EU country, UK, France or Netherlands for example, so for that reason cannot wish you happy birthday either.


Sorry!

 

[Brianwarnock]

I agree with Fifty2One's sentiment on the thread provided the citizen's of the USA avoid overhype, and from claiming what is not true.

But Paul can I refer you to this //http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=128160

Brian

 

[Pauldohert]

Thats another good reason!


But since its a celebration for the sake of having a good old knees up - Happy Birthday to all you in Canada tomorrow too!

 

[Pauldohert]

But Paul can I refer you to this //http://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=128160

I knew I was in good company with that sentiment!

 

[Jacob Mathai]

It was the concept of self-government that started with US independence. The people decided what kind of Government they wanted. Thomas Jefferson was one of the architects of the self-government. The system endured for 231 years as of this year.

It is still the land of opportunity. Creating wealth is not a taboo in USA. It is admired. It is the wealth of this nation that attracts immigrants to this nation. Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness is well accepted in USA.


Happy Birthday America! God Bless America!

 

[Brianwarnock]

Can i just check? Is it America's birthday or The U.S. of A's.

I have just realised I wont be around for a few days so I too wish all our friends across the pond a happy day tomorrow.

Brian

 

[qailoh]

Its a little difficult when you seemingly claim the invention of democracy, and try to usurp the name of the landmass/continent you occupy.


Then there are those of us who feel the world may be better of with the USA still as a territory of some guiding EU country, UK, France or Netherlands for example, so for that reason cannot wish you happy birthday either.


Sorry!

While I seriously doubt that Joe was claiming that democracy was invented in the US, I'll let that possible misinterpretation pass. I'd read it as democracy in the USA being born myself. If you insist on interpreting it as a claim for the US being the origin of democracy, I'd like to point out that he'd hardly be the first one in these forums to make an erroneous claim regarding the origins of democracy:

He's British or lives in Britain and therefore living in the oldest democracy in the world and thus has every right to his point of view, even if it is incorrect

I too would prefer not to see this turn into another 'bash the US' thread. Anyone want to lay odds on the chances of that happening?

 

[Joe8915]

While I seriously doubt that Joe was claiming that democracy was invented in the US, I'll let that possible misinterpretation pass. I'd read it as democracy in the USA being born myself. If you insist on interpreting it as a claim for the US being the origin of democracy, I'd like to point out that he'd hardly be the first one in these forums to make an erroneous claim regarding the origins of democracy:

I did not say it was invented in the US.


I too would prefer not to see this turn into another 'bash the US' thread. Anyone want to lay odds on the chances of that happening?

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday "AMERICA" or United States of America OR MY HOMELAND

 

[Rich]

I'd like to point out that he'd hardly be the first one in these forums to make an erroneous claim regarding the origins of democracy:

My claim was not erroneous

 

[Joe8915]

I thought this was a civil place to hang...
I think people need to take the opportunity to lay down their differences and embrace things we all have in common - even if it is just for one day a year

...tomorrow we can all got back to America bashing - OKAY?

I second that motion (_)>

 

[rainman89]

I thought this was a civil place to hang...
I think people need to take the opportunity to lay down their differences and embrace things we all have in common - even if it is just for one day a year

...tomorrow we can all got back to America bashing - OKAY?

you mean thursday!!!! tomorrow would be a bad day to do it.

 

[Rich]

I thought this was a civil place to hang...
I think people need to take the opportunity to lay down their differences and embrace things we all have in common - even if it is just for one day a year

...tomorrow we can all got back to America bashing - OKAY?

But one of them troublesome Yanks is starting it

 

[qailoh]

He's British or lives in Britain and therefore living in the oldest democracy in the world and thus has every right to his point of view, even if it is incorrect

My claim was not erroneous

Sure you want to stick with that? Most (intelligent) people would concede that Greece is the oldest democracy in the world...

http://www.ahistoryofgreece.com/newdemocracy.htm

Of course you'll try to cop out and say the oldest surviving democracy, and you'd still be wrong:

http://www.danielpipes.org/comments/5944
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0002850.html

Iceland gets the honors, while

http://www.ratical.org/many_worlds/6Nations/

the Native Americans make a worthy showing as well.

Anyway...happy Independence Day to those who choose to celebrate!

 

[Rich]

Sure you want to stick with that? Most (intelligent) people would concede that Greece is the oldest democracy in the world...

http://www.ahistoryofgreece.com/newdemocracy.htm

Of course you'll try to cop out and say the oldest surviving democracy, and you'd still be wrong:

http://www.danielpipes.org/comments/5944
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0002850.html

Iceland gets the honors, while

http://www.ratical.org/many_worlds/6Nations/

the Native Americans make a worthy showing as well.

Anyway...happy Independence Day to those who choose to celebrate!

Either way, America's not a democracy..........

 

[qailoh]

Can i just check? Is it America's birthday or The U.S. of A's.

I have just realised I wont be around for a few days so I too wish all our friends across the pond a happy day tomorrow.

Brian

Another example of being divided by a common language perhaps? At first I wasn't getting this, the American English definition of "America" is:

A•mer•i•ca (ə-měr'ĭ-kə) Pronunciation Key

1. The United States.
2. also the A•mer•i•cas (-kəz) The landmasses and islands of North America, Central America, and South America.

ergo America=The United States

I realized I was probably being US centric by assuming that definition, so I checked some UK references, they were consistent in the definition:

America

Definition
Middle America/England noun
the part of American/English society that is neither rich nor poor and does not have extreme political or religious opinions


I guess going by that there are serious grounds for confusion. Hope this clears things up and thanks for the good wishes!

 

[Newman]

I wish an happy celebration to all my fellow neighbours.
Some people ask to wait for thursday to bash Americans. I approve that, although it will be very tough to wait that long.

So... What's the party like? Got enough beer? Will you all be sitting in front of the TV set watching the Independance Day movie? One of these day I will have to visit you on a 4th of July. Just to bad that it is hard to find some place to stay on that day. I may try a visit at Plattsburgh, N-Y or Burlington, Vermont next year just to see what it is like "live" and still be close enough to home to get back in my own bed at the end of the night. It must be impressive to see your celebrations. You always act with lots of proudness, so it must be very special on that particular day.

'Till then... Happy Independance Day!!!

 

[ColinEssex]

I too would prefer not to see this turn into another 'bash the US' thread. Anyone want to lay odds on the chances of that happening?

Happy Birthday America - and may your God go with you

Col