Happy Independence Day!

I couldn't swipe the photo at Environmental Defense so I'm going to have to link here. It's a cute interactive thing about what the 2nd Continental Congress would have looked like if they were gas-burning jokers such as we are today. We'd have Benjamin Franklin riding a bicycle (he would probably have been in better shape by the time he signed the Declaration of Independence if he had been riding one), John Adams using a reusable grocery bag (I don't know if it would have had the Earth on it, though, maybe a dead Redcoat or something), and some joker from the southern delegation holding up a bus schedule. Har, har! Such fun.

AND, if you're feeling as patriotic as I am on this great day for our country and its peoples, you can sign ED's Declaration of New Patriotism (which I have already done, because I am a super-dooper patriot) to challenge the more recent Congress of the U.S. to start getting on the stick with this whole global warming thing. I don't think it will still be up on July 5th, so sign it quick!

Here's one more thing to keep in mind on this great day:

The liberties of our Country, the freedom of our civil constitution
are worth defending at all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them
against all attacks. We have receiv'd them as a fair Inheritance from
our worthy Ancestors: They purchas'd them for us with toil and danger
and expence of treasure and blood; and transmitted them to us with
care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on
the present generation, enlightned as it is, if we should suffer them
to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle; or be cheated
out of them by the artifices of false and designing men. Of the
latter we are in most danger at present: Let us therefore be aware of
it. Let us contemplate our forefathers and posterity; and resolve to
maintain the rights bequeath'd to us from the former, for the sake of
the latter. - Instead of sitting down satisfied with the efforts we
have already made, which is the wish of our enemies, the necessity of
the times, more than ever, calls for our utmost circumspection,
deliberation, fortitude and perseverance. Let us remember, that "if
we suffer tamely a lawless attack upon our liberty, we encourage it,
and involve others in our doom." It is a very serious consideration,
which should deeply impress our minds, that millions yet unborn may
be the miserable sharers in the event.
--Samuel Adams, Speech, 1771