Happy 230th Birthday, America

the 4th of July, 2006- Happy Birthday America, 230 years old.
Leaving Gary, NC, it’s muggy, warm, and hot, American Flags out, Neighbors running around the yard with the flag draped over their shoulders.
Off I Go.
Interstate 40W for about 20 miles, pass Biscuit Time, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, time for a small county road or two. Take 86 N though Hillsborough, a nice small county, town pass Prospect Hill , poor folks here, stop for gas at a corner store, theirs a small southern deli, fried chicken, pulled pork & bbq, outside some poor soul needed a jack for fix a flat, no one seemed to care. Folks came and went, I can’t help, and Skate’s jack would not do the trick, so I drove away hoping someone would help this person.
Listening to the radio, thoughts of my beliefs on this day, all this talk of what Freedom means, Freedom on thoughts, can we has a country, have a vision of Liberty, as a predominate Christian nation. Freedoms strength, is a freedom of faith, would we not be a better nation and, also show the world the greatness of America, we are not a Christian nation in our laws, but the Rule of Law, our Bill of Rights and Constitution give rights to all Citizens and guidance, neither God or church should command the Nation, yet it’s influences our thoughts, and our sense of morality does impact it, if one were a believer, one would believe we live in the Kingdom of God, not a Nation were the Church tries to control it. That is why we became America, to get away from a church run country. I hate the question when asked “do you believe”, that’s very private subject to me, and it’s a loaded question, no fare. Thomas Paine wrote,” my own mind, my own church.” If one today would fellow the Ten Commandments, MY beliefs, we would have no more killing, we would be tolerant to all, we would not judge, I do not believe, My God or Jesus ever said killing is justified. How can we as a nation promote war, in our churches, and any morality on others with different views.
The 4th is a day of honor and respect, a day of reflection of what my place is in this country, I strongly believe in my thoughts of God and Jesus, and continue to learn and respect others for their points of view, only tolerance and understanding, communication and dialogue will change the world, Not Rightness.
Continue the drive North on Hwy 29 into Virginia past Danville to a very small road 43W to Bedford, used to be called Liberty, this town lost more men in WW II, per capita than any other. Pass peach and apple orchards. Bedford is building a Memorial for this people.

I also, always take time to honor the dead, I have a special place in my heart for sacrifice. Just or not for men and women killed or wounded in battle, yet think war should be the last resource, World War II had to be fought, no war after that, that’s is my American opinion.
I go over the Blue Ridge Parkway, looking for shelter, weather has not been good.
I find a place off by Natural Bridge on Rt. 11. A nice inexpensive room on a small quiet highway.
After I go in search of the Natural Bridge, miss the spot, 7 miles out in the country, it starts to rain, then buckets of rain, at times, so thick I stop the car, tree branches down, go around, the wind picks up, this is the most violent storm I have been in in a very long time, I put on my flashers, look though the rain, moment of faith while driving blind.
Back to the motel, power is out, I call friends, drink beer on a wooden bench, reading books in the dark with flashlight, and plot my course to Gettysburg,
My 4th is fantastic, there was a storm, and I have lighting bugs, thunder in the distance and lighting, too. Cars go by slowly, looking for shelter, it’s hard to tell we are here.
A day of surprise and thought. Happy Birthday America!
59.9/ 209.4 miles traveled

My influences, Yet separate.

The Bill of Rights
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Again My Beliefs, Yet Separate.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS,
1) "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
2) "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image,"
3) "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;"
4) "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."
5) "Honor thy father and thy mother:"
6) "Thou shalt not kill."
7) "Thou shalt not commit adultery"
8) "Thou shalt not steal."
9) "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."
10) "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house,.....nor anything that is thy neighbor's.”

Peace and Love and Freedom to All