Two Independence Day Messages
The first comes from President Barack Obama. Teneki ilelek-ña bula put taimanu debi di ta fatta este na espiritun Amerikånu. Debi di ta silebra este na uniku na espiritu, ginnen i manaåpa'ka na manmofo'na Amerikånu. Siempre para fañångan put i manmumu na sindålu siha, ya debi di ta hassuyi siha yan i che’chon-ñiha.
Este na katta, dipotsi put “manhahasso.” Si Obama ha sohsohyo’ hit na para ta gof hasso på’go put hafa impottånte, hafa gaibali.
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Michael --
This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.
Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.
Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.
Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.
As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.
So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.
With very best wishes,
President Barack Obama
July 4th, 2009
P.S. -- Our nation's birthday is also an ideal time to consider serving in your local community. You can find many great ideas for service opportunities near you at http://www.serve.gov.
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The second is from a diary on The Daily Kos blog, published three years ago by hopeforguahan. Gi este na mina’dos na katta, parehu na mensåhi, sa’ este lokkue’ put “manhahasso.” Lao este na katta ha kombibida na i taotao Amerikånu siha para u hassuyi hafa ti ya-ñiha, hafa ga’o’-ñiha na ti mana’annok. Hafa gi i hinasson-ñiha na maolekña na maleffa pat ti matungo’.
Hafa este na “sekretu” na tiningo’, na debi di ta hassuyi lokkue’ gi este na “Ha’ånin Indpendence?” Taitai mas ya para en tingo’.
**********************
Michael --
This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let's also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.
Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty -- a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.
Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation's course. America's greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom -- and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.
As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph -- that pride -- belongs to all of us.
So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm's way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.
With very best wishes,
President Barack Obama
July 4th, 2009
P.S. -- Our nation's birthday is also an ideal time to consider serving in your local community. You can find many great ideas for service opportunities near you at http://www.serve.gov.
*********************************
The second is from a diary on The Daily Kos blog, published three years ago by hopeforguahan. Gi este na mina’dos na katta, parehu na mensåhi, sa’ este lokkue’ put “manhahasso.” Lao este na katta ha kombibida na i taotao Amerikånu siha para u hassuyi hafa ti ya-ñiha, hafa ga’o’-ñiha na ti mana’annok. Hafa gi i hinasson-ñiha na maolekña na maleffa pat ti matungo’.
Hafa este na “sekretu” na tiningo’, na debi di ta hassuyi lokkue’ gi este na “Ha’ånin Indpendence?” Taitai mas ya para en tingo’.
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I have often wondered whether Americans understand what they celebrate every year on July 4th “Independence Day.” Perhaps some Americans consider this day as nothing more than a holiday, time for family, “Summer time is here!” Perhaps some Americans do reflect on the true meaning of this day—America’s independence from their mother country, 230 years ago.
Every American treasures and values their own independence. American parents raise their children with the hopes that one day they will be independent—their children will be able to make their own decisions and live freely as they choose. Isn’t this every American’s dream? And to have a sense of independence in one’s life is an essential need—that vital and quintessential value that Americans hold from the day they are born till the day they die.
Let us reflect now on this American value and the truth of the matter. Did you know that today, America owns territorial possessions around the world? A “possession” means that America has taken ownership of lands, where it was not initially her own, and use these lands for her own benefit. In this modern day, these possessions are called “colonies.” Americans did not ask nicely for these lands and its people; but used force to obtain these lands—disenfranchising and marginalizing many indigenous along the way. America has drafted up documents without their consent stating that Congress, the Senate, and the Executive Office “has the power to dispose of, and make all needful rules and regulations” on the individuals who live in these lands. These documents also state that these “owned” individuals are not even subject to the rights inherent in the U.S. Constitution—“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!” Where is the “independence” so coveted by Americans when they own and possess other people and their lands and do not provide them the very essential human liberties which should be afforded any living creature?!
As a U.S. citizen, I refuse to partake in a celebration of “independence” when the truth of the matter is that America has willfully taken away another’s independence so that they can reap the benefits. The irony in this is that America knowingly abuses others in the very same way they have been abused.
Think critically as you enter into a celebration of America’s independence from colonial status and remember that YOU, as Americans, continue to own colonies today! Indigenous people today suffer in their lives and livelihoods because of their colonial status. They do not deserve the hardships they face because of their lack of independence, just as America did not! I call on Americans to educate themselves and others on these matters! Allow the people of American colonies to live the life of liberty and freedom that you yourselves find so priceless!
I have often wondered whether Americans understand what they celebrate every year on July 4th “Independence Day.” Perhaps some Americans consider this day as nothing more than a holiday, time for family, “Summer time is here!” Perhaps some Americans do reflect on the true meaning of this day—America’s independence from their mother country, 230 years ago.Every American treasures and values their own independence. American parents raise their children with the hopes that one day they will be independent—their children will be able to make their own decisions and live freely as they choose. Isn’t this every American’s dream? And to have a sense of independence in one’s life is an essential need—that vital and quintessential value that Americans hold from the day they are born till the day they die.
Let us reflect now on this American value and the truth of the matter. Did you know that today, America owns territorial possessions around the world? A “possession” means that America has taken ownership of lands, where it was not initially her own, and use these lands for her own benefit. In this modern day, these possessions are called “colonies.” Americans did not ask nicely for these lands and its people; but used force to obtain these lands—disenfranchising and marginalizing many indigenous along the way. America has drafted up documents without their consent stating that Congress, the Senate, and the Executive Office “has the power to dispose of, and make all needful rules and regulations” on the individuals who live in these lands. These documents also state that these “owned” individuals are not even subject to the rights inherent in the U.S. Constitution—“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness!” Where is the “independence” so coveted by Americans when they own and possess other people and their lands and do not provide them the very essential human liberties which should be afforded any living creature?!
As a U.S. citizen, I refuse to partake in a celebration of “independence” when the truth of the matter is that America has willfully taken away another’s independence so that they can reap the benefits. The irony in this is that America knowingly abuses others in the very same way they have been abused.
Think critically as you enter into a celebration of America’s independence from colonial status and remember that YOU, as Americans, continue to own colonies today! Indigenous people today suffer in their lives and livelihoods because of their colonial status. They do not deserve the hardships they face because of their lack of independence, just as America did not! I call on Americans to educate themselves and others on these matters! Allow the people of American colonies to live the life of liberty and freedom that you yourselves find so priceless!
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