I understand. The limits of knowledge become blazingly clear when you begin to learn a little about a topic.

There’s a lot of interesting, troubling and thought provoking aspects of US history. Could spend a lifetime studying and still only have a limited understanding.

I use social media less and less for information. Or for much of anything really. More and more I’m reading books and going to the library.

Are we an independent nation? Interdependent. And when I think of freedom it all depends on what you mean by freedom. I do believe that as individuals, unless we’re vigilant and pay attention, we’ll be heavily manipulated by the barrage of information poured on us by business, government and individuals. They’ll be trying to take our time, money, attention, votes, and minds — all in an effort to keep us “fat and happy” and not asking any difficult questions of those in power. Bread and circuses indeed.

Geez. I’m turning into an old codger wailing about the government…

Things were imperfect, that’s for sure. And the problems persist today. Better but still work to do.

I’ve been to Gettysburg a half-dozen times for various reasons but not to consider the plight of the surrounding community. The impact on Gettysburg pales in comparison the the actions of Sherman in Georgia and South Carolina. Collateral damage versus intentional destruction. The more I learn about the Civil War the more horrifying it all is. Let’s hope we never forget.

I recently tried an e-book called “A Renegade History of the United States”, slavery was of course part of the book but the concepts brought up were different from your run of the mill views…..it was interesting/troubling and thought provoking….

Your point re the majority of Americans having very short attention spans and unwillingness to research the issues is on point. Instead, its become a dependence on social media/biased media echo chambers…sad.

As to being an independent nation, I’ve my doubts…..seems most people don’t care, as long as they get their daily dose of “bread and circuses”.

Thank you for sharing your kind words. Celebrating independence and freedom is easy to take for granted. And in our pluralistic country ideas of where those things originate vary widely. A grand achievement for the United States, the First Amendment, guarantees each of us the freedom to believe and practice (or not believe or practice) any religion we desire without Government interference. The Founding Fathers as well varied in their religious beliefs and practices which helped them distance the state from the church. And many of their ideas in establishing the Declaration and the Constitution were derived from many sources from the Ancient Greeks and Romans through Judaism, Islam and Christianity. We’ve benefited greatly from the rigorous intellect and wisdom of those early American thinkers.

Hope you have a fine holiday and find peace today.

When looking at a map of the “fly over” parts of the country I realize Pennsylvania falls mostly within it, save for Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the county I live in at the center of the Commonwealth.

Hope you have a fine 4th of July!

Empty, winding roads are something I’m grateful to have at hand. A benefit from ending up where I have. Wasn’t planned. Just dumb luck.

Hope you have a fine day.