City of Orlando Apologizes for Errant Independence Day Message

The City of Orlando issued an apology for their Independence Day message saying that “we can’t blame them” if there were residents of their city who felt there was not much to celebrate. The city posted the original announcement to Twitter but has since deleted it and replaced it with an apology.

The apology stated that they “understand these words offended some” who read it.

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Bold, Brave and Free: I Love America

fireworks

By Printus LeBlanc   Wednesday, July 4th will mark the 242nd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The bold death-defying act created the greatest country the world has ever known. Yes, the nation has made mistakes, just as every other nation on the planet has, but no nation has advanced the cause of liberty and human rights more than the U.S. I for one am eternally grateful I live in the U.S. and would have it no other way. No nation on earth has the upward mobility the United States has. People often speak negatively about the 1 percent but never realize 80 percent of millionaires are the first generation of their family to attain that level of wealth. They do not inherit their wealth, as the media and left would have you believe from family members. One-third of the newly rich are entrepreneurs, far more than the in the banking or finance industry, 14 percent. The typical myths of the 1 percent not working for their money and the banking industry dominating the list are busted. The data shows if someone has an idea and works hard enough they can achieve the American dream. In the rest of the…

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Minnesota’s Capital Cancels Independence Day Fireworks Because It’s Too Expensive

Melvin Carter

by Anders Hagstrom   The Democratic mayor of Minnesota’s capital cancelled the city’s annual 4th of July fireworks show Wednesday, claiming it required too many tax payer dollars. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter made the announcement on Facebook and clarified that while there would be no fireworks, there would still be a parade, Kare11 reported. Carter’s budget concerns come after years of disappointment in the city’s fireworks show that seems to shrink annually, causing many Minnesotans to attend competing shows nearby. “As I’ve considered the budgetary priorities we manage across our city in the first year of my administration, I’ve decided I can’t in good conscience support spending tax dollars on a fireworks display in St. Paul this year,” he wrote. “Over the past three years, the city partnered with CHS Field to hold fireworks on the 4th, but given the venue’s location and capacity, this was always intended as a short-term solution,” Mayoral spokeswoman Liz Xiong told the Pioneer Press. “As we considered all these factors this year, including the costs for fireworks, insurance and city department costs including fire, police and public works, the mayor could not in good conscience support spending upwards of $100,000 from the city’s budget.” Carter has spent most…

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Nashville Plans Biggest Fireworks in Nation for Fourth of July

  Nashville’s celebration for Tuesday, called Let Freedom Sing!, will feature fireworks billed as the country’s biggest display. The event will take place downtown and will include concerts. The fireworks can be viewed for free around Riverfront Park and at Ascend Amphitheater, Fox 17 reports. The Nashville Symphony will accompany the fireworks at Ascend Amphitheater. Various musical acts will perform on stage at Fifth and Broadway starting around 4 p.m. The lineup includes the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, R&B artist Jonny P and folk rock duo The Sisterhood, among others. Country artist Chris Young will be the final performer starting at 8:10 p.m. Video screens will be set up on Broadway between Third and Fourth Avenue and at the Walk of Fame Park, with audio wafting through various downtown areas. People at Ascend Amphitheater will be able to watch the Broadway stage concerts on screens, while those on Broadway and at Walk of Fame Park can watch the symphony performance on screens. Nashville’s fireworks show will be the country’s largest for the third year in a row and will involve more than 35,000 pounds of explosives and 150 miles of wire. Nashville has gone all out to have a more extravagant display…

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JC Bowman Commentary: Let Freedom Ring

American Spirit

  It is July 4th, Independence Day in America. Which makes us contemplate: What is liberty? What is freedom? Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice. As we celebrate liberty, we should also reflect on the repressive regimes around the globe, and be grateful for the freedom we enjoy in our country. We should thank God for our nation’s founders and their bravery in writing and signing the Declaration of Independence. Today, despite what people may think, the American flag is still a universally recognized symbol and beacon of hope that stands for liberty and freedom. Just as patriots long ago, we are bound together by a common destiny. Citizenship in this nation connects together all Americans. That is why citizenship matters. We are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of liberty and freedom. Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned, understood what loss of freedom meant. He wrote: “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Too many want freedom for themselves, and yet seek to withhold it from others.…

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