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Today is July 4th. Remember what happened 237 years ago today? Joe Biden would call it "a big f*cking deal." It was our Declaration of Independence.
I've been thinking about this a lot, not only because it's Independence Day, but also due to things we've witnessed very recently in North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. I started thinking about it at NN13 when I picked up a free copy of the Constitution from a booth. Of all the swag it really is the best thing I got other than my NN13 T-shirt.
Of course, the Constitution wasn't adopted until after the Revolutionary War on September 17, 1787, but the birth of our country starts with the Declaration of Independence which is the principle upon which our country is based. The Constitution is really the nuts and bolts - the "how to" rules and guidelines we follow to accomplish our declaration of what the United States of America is.
Abraham Lincoln considered the Declaration to be the foundation of his political philosophy, and argued that the Declaration is a statement of principles through which the United States Constitution should be interpreted.
The Constitution is a very progressive thing, don't kid yourselves about this. It has been amended 27 times. The first 10 Amendments became law in December 1791. Now, that's proof it's a "living document" as well it should be since it's the supreme law of our country.
After re-reading the Declaration of Independence, I believe what the legislatures in North Carolina and Ohio have done and are about to do in Texas, are not only wrong but go against the very principle our country is founded upon.
The legislatures of these states are currently controlled by Republicans who are passing new laws bypassing due process and disallowing dialogue or discussion. In Texas, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst (R) just simply changed the rules of the state Senate on the fly for the express reason to pass a law they know wouldn't pass if they followed the rules. In North Carolina, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest (R) said to women in the Senate gallery protesting the surprise abortion legislation passed on July 2nd, "The senators are your voice here on all matters. They are the only ones we'll be hearing from today."
They are not doing the will of the people. In Texas the majority of its citizens are against the new law which will dictate what women can do for their personal health and family planning. It's primarily men, with a few women cohorts, pushing this garbage. It all stems from a Dominionist Christian doctrine that empowers men to be "lord and master" over women. They trivialize rape by stating absurd, unscientific things like "rape kits clean that out of women" and you "can't get pregnant unless an accurate ejaculation occurs"...whatever that is supposed to mean. They state "10-week old fetuses masturbate" (but only male fetuses apparently).
The new laws...which close Planned Parenthood clinics, require women to have trans-vaginal ultrasounds prior to obtaining birth control pills and make it almost altogether impossible to obtain an abortion...they claim are intended for "preserving the life of the fetus," but it truly demotes women to breeding stock.
In the period of time of about 3 1/2 years since 2010, these new laws currently being enacted in GOP controlled states are undoing 237 years of progress which is the result of the cumulative effort of generations of Americans that required incredible sacrifice and hardship. And though this constant struggle to move towards our goal of progressing and creating an ever better country has not always been a straight trajectory, our true aim has always come back to the declaration of the principle of our country..."organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
I believe the power grabs being waged by the GOP in states they currently control are literally in opposition to the very principle upon which our country was created. A small band of rogue rough riders have usurped control and are dictating what shall be for all the rest of us even though the majority of those in these states don't want these laws enacted.
Do these rogue politicians ramming these unpopular new laws down our throats truly act as though they are doing what seems most likely to effect our safety and happiness? No, they aren't. They act with arrogance while showing contempt for their constituents and even the rules they are supposed to follow in pursuit of governance. Read the Declaration of Independence below and tell me what you think!
You will have to keep in mind that only men who owned property and had a minimum amount of wealth could vote and make laws when this was written...so when "men" are referenced that was a reflection of the time. Of course as our country has progressed...women, all races and all adults over 18 years of age regardless of wealth now have equal rights to do the same.
Below I wrote just parts 2.1 and 2.2 of the Declaration of Independence because those are the sections I feel are most pertinent to this diary...and I've bold-faced the parts I want to emphasize. Are the legislatures in these states actually adhering to our country's foundation and guiding principle stated in the Declaration of Independence?
I really want to know your opinions about this!
Congress, July 4, 1776 - The Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
The flags we're flying today
Latest Updates on Kossack Regional Meet-Up News Below the New Day sunrise cloud
:: COMMUNITY BUILDING UPDATES ::
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Let's build communities!
Every region needs a meatspace community like SFKossacks.
We take care of each other in real life.
I urge YOU to take the lead and organize one in your region.
Please tell us about it if you do and we're here for advice.
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THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
>>>Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
NEW GROUPS IN THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING:
Send a Kosmail to the organizers and ask for an invitation to the group.
• Northern Indiana Area: Kosmail Tim Delaney
• Long Island: Kosmail grannycarol
• Northern Michigan: Kosmail JillS
• Nebraska: Kosmail Nebraska68847Dem
• Westburbia Chicago Kossacks: Kosmail Majordomo
• New York Hudson Valley Kossacks: Kosmail boran2
• North Carolina Triangle Kossacks: Kosmail highacidity
• Caprock Kossacks (Panhandle/Caprock/Lubbock/Amarillo area) : Kosmail shesaid
• West Texas Kossacks (including Big Bend Region and El Paso) : Kosmail Yo Bubba
• Northern Arizona Kossacks: Kosmail Sam Sara
Note to the above new leaders: Feel free to leave a comment any day reminding readers about your new group. Also, tell us about your progress in gathering members. Kosmail me when you've chosen a good name for your group and have created a the group. Then I'll move you to the NEW GROUPS LIST. When you've planned a date for your first event I'll make a banner for you to highlight your event in our diaries and your diaries.
These are the groups that have started since * NEW DAY * began. Please Kosmail navajo if you have started a group before that.
NEW GROUPS LIST:
• California Central Valley Kossacks - Formed: Jul 29, 2012, Organizer: tgypsy
• New England Kossacks - Formed: Aug 6, 2012, Organizers:
Clytemnestra for Lower New England (Conneticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island)
nhox42 for Upper New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont)
• Houston Area Kossacks - Formed: Aug 7, 2012, Organizer: Chrislove
• Kossacks in India - Formed: Aug 14, 2012, Organizer: chandu
• CenTex Kossacks - Formed: Sep 9, 2012, Organizer: papa monzano
• Central Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Sep 26, 2012, Organizer: VetGrl
• Kansas City Kossacks - Formed Oct 15, 2012, Organizer: [Founder stepped down]
• Phoenix Kossacks - Formed Oct 16, 2012, Organizer: arizonablue
• Chicago Kossacks - Formed: Oct 31, 2012, Organizer: figbash
• Koscadia the Pacific Northwest coast from Northern California to Alaska
- Formed Oct 17, 2012, Oganizer: Horace Boothroyd III based in Portland, OR
• Boston Kossacks - Formed: Nov 7, 2012, Organizer: GreyHawk
• Motor City Kossacks South East Michigan (Detroit) Area - Formed: Nov 10, 2012, Organizer: peregrine kate
• Pittsburgh Area Kossacks - Formed: Nov 12, 2012, Organizer: dweb8231
• Salt Lake City Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: War on Error
• Twin Cities Kossacks - Formed: Nov 17, 2012, Organizer: imonlylurking
• Dallas Kossacks North Texas - Formed: Nov 21, 2012, Organizer: Stepping down, chancew, please contact him if you'd like to step up. He'll change the groups' permissions for you.
• The Southern California Inland Empire Kossacks - Formed: Dec 3, 2012, Organizer: SoCaliana
• Los Angeles Kossacks - Formed: Dec 17, 2012, Organizer: Dave in Northridge
• Northeast Ohio Kossacks - Formed: Jan 16, 2013, Organizer: GenXangster
• Kansas & Missouri Kossacks - Formed: Jan 17, 2013, Organizer: tmservo433
• I-77 Carolina Kossacks who live from Columbia, SC to north of Winston-Salem, NC. - Formed: Jan 30, 2013, Organizers: gulfgal98 and eeff
• Indianapolis Kossacks - Formed: Feb 6, 2013, Organizer: CityLightsLover
• Southwest Ohio Kossacks - Formed: May 10, 2013, Organizer: Dr Erich Bloodaxe RN
ESTABLISHED GROUPS LIST: (List will grow as we discover them)
• SFKossacks Founded by navajo, Formed: May 2, 2005
• Maryland Kos Founded by timmyc, Formed: Feb 23, 2011. Contact: JamieG from Md for a group invite.
• New York City Founded by Eddie C - Contact the group organizer for meet-up events: sidnora
• Baja Arizona Kossacks, Event Organizer: Azazello
• Three Star Kossacks Tennessee, Founded by maryKK, Formed: Apr 8, 2011
• Nashville KosKats, Founded by ZenTrainer Formed: Jan 30, 2012
• Virginia Kos Founded by JamieG from Md, Formed: May 3, 2011
• Kos Georgia Founded by pat208, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• Colorado COmmunity Founded by Leftcandid, Formed: Feb 13, 2011
• New Mexico Kossaks Founded by claude
• Philly Kos Founded by mconvente Formed: Aug 29, 2011
• DKos Florida Founded by ThirstyGator, Formed: Feb 14, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail Vetwife to be included in next event.
• Oklahoma Roundup Founded by BigOkie, Formed: Feb 13, 2011, Currently organizing: Kosmail peacearena to be included.
• DKos Asheville Founded by davehouck, Formed: Feb 13, 2011 - Organizing Assist by: randallt
:: Events Currently on the Books for ALL Kossacks ::
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Sunday, July 7th
Chicago Kossacks Go to a Ballgame!
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Fifth Third Bank Ball Park
34W002 Cherry Lane • Geneva
ORGANIZER: Send NormAl1792 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. NormAl1792
2. figbash
3. broths
4. Mr. broths
5-10. edwardssl & her family
11. luvsathoroughbred
12. Mr. luvs
13. never forget
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Maybees:
winifred3
luvweasel
Jennifer Clare
ScottyUrb
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Latest diary: Chicago(land) Kossacks Meet-Up July 7: Take Me Out to the Ball Game
New York Hudson Valley Kossacks
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boran2
Saturday, July 13th
NY Hudson Valley Kossacks' First Meet-up
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: Hudson House
2 Main Street • Cold Spring, NY
ORGANIZER: Send boran2 a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. boran2
2. thankgodforairamerica
3. betson08
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Maybees:
ask
curly
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Latest diary: [Coming soon!]
Thursday, July 18th
Phoenix Kossacks Meet-up for navajo
TIME: 6:15 PM Reservation name is Daily Kos
LOCATION: Rancho de Tia Rosa
3129 E. McKellips • Mesa
ORGANIZER: Send arizonablue a kosmail to attend.
navajo's in town one day, even though it's a Thursday we hope you can make it.
RSVPs:
1. arizonablue
2. Mr. arizonablue
3. navajo
4. Azazello
5. Mrs. Azazello
6. ninothemindboggler
7. Mrs. ninothemindboggler
8. thomask
9. mrs. thomask
10. BluejayRN
11. Late Again
12. Mother Mags
13. Kane in CA
14. puzzled
15. mexchewy
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Maybees:
Kane in CA
Kane in CA friend
cosmic debris
PSzymeczek
Mr PSzymeczek
Mr. Late Again
dewey in the desert
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Latest diary: Phoenix Kossacks Meetup: Welcome Navajo to The Valley of the Sun!
Saturday, July 20th
Dkos Asheville, North Carolina Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Bywater
796 Riverside Dr. • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend.
RSVPs:
1. Randallt
2. Gordon20024
3. davehouck
4. Joieau
5. SteelerGrrl
6. SteelerGuy
7. Captain Sham
8. Smiley7
9. DawnN
10. Phil S 33
11. LamontCranston
12. Christian Dem in NC
13.
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Maybees:
eeff
Audri
gulfgal98
PearlJamSteelworker
Amy
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville Open Thread 5/18/13: Frogs and tomatoes and snakes, oh my!
Sunday, August 4th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send Sidnora a kosmail to RSVP.
RSVPs:
1. joanbrooker
2. mconvente
3. belinda ridgewood
4. Yasuragi
5. sidnora
6. Its the Supreme Court Stupid
7. blue jersey mom
8. kathny
9. ask
10. rubyr
11. plf515
12. thankgodforairamerica
13. No Exit
14. gchaucer2
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Maybees:
Ollie Garkey
Ian Reifowitz
andgarden
wader
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Latest diary: New York City Meetup - August - Choose your date
Saturday, November 2nd
SFKossacks BBQ in the Wine Country
TIME: TBD
LOCATION: Andrew McGuire's home in the Wine Country
Address to be given privately to RSVPs • Windsor
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend.
Andrew McGuire is Executive Director of California One Care
RSVPs:
1. Andrew McGuire
2. navajo
3. Shockwave
4. Hunter
5. elfing
6. Hunter/elfling offspring
7. smileycreek
8. paradise50
9. dharmasyd
10. maggiejean
11. norm
12. Lusty
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Maybees: |
Send navajo a kosmail if you post a diary about an event so we can update our round-up.
Okay. Floor's open.
Tell us what you are doing on this NEW DAY?