On this day, the 4th of July 2009, our Birthday, we have more reason than ever before to hold Freedom as a symbol to strive for, for all people. One of the biggest freedoms of all is the freedom to speak. As we have seen, people who speak out in peace, in many other countries can be killed and jailed.
It's very unfortunate, therefore, that having a different opinion or disagreeing with someone, no matter how politely, can create such vitriol as to vilify and silence the speaker, this, particularly, from various media outlets. So much so, that many people do not speak out and hide their true opinions from the open arena for fear of being ostracized.
Knowing this, we use the ballot box to make our voices heard and it is an important component in the freedom our founding fathers fought for. So never fear that you do not have the freedom to speak because as long as we keep our ballot box free from contamination, we will have freedom.
As we celebrate with fireworks and gatherings of family and friends, we say Happy Birthday to our nation born on 4th July 1776.