Celebrating Independence

Today, on the 4th of July, we celebrate our country's independence from Britain, back in 1776. We have red, white and blue parties with family and friends, we barbecue and we have colorful and loud fireworks. It's a joyful holiday, a great day of celebration.

Sadly, some Americans seem to be unaware what we are celebrating.

photo by Robert Bartz

A couple days ago I saw a video in which random people on their way to the beach were interviewed about Independence Day. Some of the "highlights":

Question: Who did we gain our independence from?

Answers:
- I don't know.
- The South.  - At the end of the Civil War? - Yes, from the South.
- Those countries.
And my personal favorite:
- From California. (oh yeah, baby)

Question: Who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Answers:
- I don't know. Abraham Lincoln? - And when was that? - 1964? - 19... - 1984! (Perhaps it was George Orwell then....)

Question: Who were the Founding Fathers of our country?

- Silence.

Where the Declaration of Independence was written. Photo by Robert Bartz

While reading this, you probably cringe just as I did when I watched that video. And of course this is not representative for all Americans. But it made me wonder why I as an immigrant have to pass the citizenship test when I wish to become a US citizen. Perhaps natural born Americans should take that test as well.

Especially politicians. No, I am not elaborating on this. You certainly have made up your mind about that and so have I.

Gaining independence is a huge step for any country. For me, the most important part of independence is freedom. Let freedom ring - but so often I feel it's the freedom for one group, but not for the other. Freedom ends where it limits the freedom of others. That is a given. Freedom involves responsibility - a lot of it. Freedom without responsibility is not freedom for all, but just freedom for "Me". Freedom is something we have to work for every single day - by giving it to others and keeping it for ourselves.

Freedom is something wonderful that we so often take for granted. It is the greatest good in our country - and many others. Truly a reason to celebrate.

Everything Scottish

Now that the Scots have voted to stay within the Union - or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - we can rejoice in everything Scottish. Just for the record - we would have done the same thing if they had voted for independence.

So, what is Scottish? Or what do we see as Scottish?

Of course there is the bad weather - rain and fog...

which you can still transform into something very patriotic (I wonder whether this is a "yes" supporter?).

Of course the kilts...

and everything tartan - bagpipes, too.

The Scottish lion - or to be correct, the Royal Standard of Scotland or the Royal Arms of Scotland, also known as the Lion Rampant of Scotland. Here you see it at the entrance gate to Edinburgh Castle.

You can find it almost everywhere.

Of course we cannot forget Haggis!

But have you heard of luxury Scottish Ice Cream? Probably royal as well.

The cute Scottish Terrier - who cannot love it?

What did I forget (apart from the single malt whiskey)? Tell me in the comments. What is specific Scottish for you?