YOUR COMMENTS

Ok - we can all disagree about our current state of political affairs, but can we PLEASE just read this story and appreciate it?

This is a slice of history I have never heard before and, personally, I'm proud to know my little town was part of such a big enterprise.
- Kathy, Fremont

I am a liberal for the most part, and I do not agree with the notion that our history belongs to the conservatives. I think liberals need to step up and stop conservatives from laying claim to all the positive aspects of our history. I believe that both conservative and liberal strains in American thought have their roots in the founding of this great nation. (I also think that we can acknowledge both the greatness of our founding AND some of the evils to which our nation has been privy, such as the gross maltreatment of African-Americans, Native Americans, and other minorities).

I think we all have a tendency to re-imagine the Founding Fathers in our own image. I have met a lot of born-again Christians who imagine the founders as born-again Christians with similar religious to beliefs to theirs. When I read American history, the founders always strike me as basically liberal and secular. They remind me of me!

In fact, I don't think the Founders could be readily categorized in our modern-day political terms -- although certainly many of the disputes they had (such as the dispute over whether the Union should have a strong central government) foreshadowed much of what we fight about today.

I also notice that the Founders themselves were not exactly pure in their ideologies. The most famous example is Thomas Jefferson who was a "states' rights" guy until he became President. Then he suddenly began acting a little more like a Federalist -- and his "strict" interpretation of the Constitution became a bit less strict!
- Tina, Bedford

Get these "No-show, do nothing bums out of office".
- Douglas Everts, Lancaster, New York

Regarding the comment of Shawn of Milton. I have a PhD in history with a major in US history and have taught in a well known university. I have researched abroad and here in the US on the political aspects of the American Revolution. Your statement is so convoluted; it boggles the imagination. It is based totally in fantasy. I would suggest you utilize you library card more often.
- J. Wilson Prescott, Concord NH

Interesting that Mike from Temple believes that "Liberal revisionism in schools" is shifting society away from what makes this country great. Seems like the British would have had the same opinion of our Forefathers' "Liberal revisionism"...
- Shawn, Milton

Mike,
I echo your thoughts! I went to Hanover High with two students, Bill Miller'65 and Dick Porter'68 who both gave their lives in the Vietnam War. I have to deal with people who have no idea that there was a war in Vietnam that the U.S. got involved with. It's disheartening but as long as you have those around who enjoy history and doing research, history will still be alive for those that want to know the history of the U.S.
- James A. MacDonald, New York City

Mike, Temple

Happy Independence Day to you. I agree with your post, especially concerning the revisionist history being taught in our public schools. My youngest child will be a senior in High school next year nad the things I have heard my children (3) say they were learning since my youngest starting attending these liberal indoctrination camps is astounding.
When the mortgage crisis was "hitting the fan, her history teacher told the class that the creit crisis had its beginings when the auto industry started. This teacher claimed that credit extended to early 20th century auto buyers was the start of our current problem. Did this teacher not know that no one recieved credit in those days without posting considerable collateral? Did this teacher not know that credit rules were very strict at that point in history? Was this teacher trying to gloss over that fact that Jimmy Carters and subsequently Bill Clintons Community reinvestment legislation were ultimately responsible? Did the teacher ever mention the connection between Barney Frank and his boyfriend who happened to be a high ranking official at Fannie Mae/Freedie Mac?
Mike, the first step in correcting many of the problems we face in this country is to eliminate Government involvement in our schools.
- Ron, Manchester

It is almost laughable that the same New England states that helped to lead the rebellion against tyranny are now the same states imposing the same tyranny on the people their ancestors fought against. One party rule, high taxation and the same arrogance as King George is now sweeping the nation and leading us. Let's hope they let that same arrogance blind them to their fate.

As I said in another reply on Iran, “We the People” could learn something from them again. Or we can sit back and watch our freedoms erode by a bunch of sweet talking would be kings.
- Deb, Derry

Mike,
Things are continuing to get worse each year, and we have only ourselves to blame. We're allowing the Liberal media to control what "news" is out and about, and what to supress. Our Liberal brethren are getting too loose a leash and we need to reel them all back in as true Patriots. Teach your children the REAL story, and let them know that life IS hard, and HARD WORK is what it takes to get by, not the Socialism and "Feelgoodism" that is spreading about. I thought this recession might actually make people think a bit about things, but sadly, most turned to the easy way out (TV) to console themselves from the misery of actually having to work for a living and making things happen for themselves. America can be great again and maybe another Revolution is necessary to make it happen. I wish all Americans a happy Independence Day whether you plan to spend it doing what you want to do, or if you're working to keep it going, or even to those who couldn't care less that they live in the freest society in the world.
- Eric Tallberg, Manchester, NH

Birthday Celebration for what? This country is nothing like what it was started out to be, and I think if Paul Revere had known what this country turned into he would have shot his horse right then and there.

Now lets not dabble waste time on the semantics I need to go shopping to buy a new HD TV, figure out how I'm going to pay all the new taxes and get ready to put the burgers and dogs on the grill So I can then have with my apple pie and chocolate ice cream.

(In all seriousness American history doesn't matter anymore sense no one else really cares, I still do but we're dying off fast and soon everything will be forgotten and the Decleration of Independence will end up in some dusty musty old warehouse a relic of the bygone era).

PS...If Grand ole' Britain wants her...they can have this country, just give me some stimulus pounds and shillings and I will be all set. Oh yeah, the guy in the oval office goes with the deal and bring me one of those white wigs and fancy uniforms of the era too.
- Jack Alex, Manchester

A good article, and an excellent reminder as well.

To everyone out there, despite the push to socialism going on, this is not "Dependence Day", it is INdependence Day.
- Mike R., Bedford

It seems odd to celebrate the revolution of 1776 while the govt appears willing to thumb its nose at the Constitution (supremacy clause), the Congress (makes the law) & the Supreme Court applies the law) by facilitating the commission of a federal crime vis "medical" marijuana.
- Joe, portsmouth

Nice article. Happy Birthday America!
- Dan, Ossipee

Mike, you can rest assured the schools aren't going to hell. I teach middle school 8th grade history, and I teach the kids about the attack on Fort William and Mary, and Paul Revere's first ride, every single year. I run a very traditional history class, and I take great pride in how I teach. I admire your values, but please, stop lumping us all into one big liberal revisionist group. There are still many of us left. Happy Independence Day!
- Peter, Jaffrey

UL, thank-you for this article. American History has sadly become something that many Americans either don't make time for or simply don't understand. Liberal revisionism in our public schools coupled with the general shift in society away from things in life that made this country great are to blame. Happy Independence Day to all out there. Take some time today to learn what it is America once stood for and realize that it's not too late to get that back. God bless.
- Mike, Temple