This is the vlog editorial. Happy Independence Day. This weekend will be filled with picnics, fireworks, and no doubt lots of fun. I shared *** few thoughts on Independence Day last year that still apply today as we celebrate. Let's also remember the significance of July 4th, the day our founders declared their independence from Great Britain. The promises our forefathers made to themselves in future generations were always aspirational. And it's easy to find the places we still fall woefully short, and this can cause *** lot of reflection for me that reflection continues to be on how far our nation's rhetoric and civil discourse has fallen since I shared these thoughts last year, we've continued to see an erosion in civility. As *** candidate, President Trump was nearly assassinated twice as recently as *** couple weeks ago, *** killer in Minnesota assassinated *** state lawmaker with intentions to kill others. And is it any wonder? Nearly every major issue seems to create an opportunity for character assassination and division. Long lost are the days where competing ideas or philosophies could be respected. Today we seem to live in this perpetual cycle of hate, hate for any idea in direct oppositions to the ones we hold dear. We blame the government, we blame the media or blame anyone else. As we celebrate another independence Day, I encourage all of us to take time to remember. Our country was built on the principle of government that was of the people, by the people and for the people, meaning the improvement we want isn't going to come unless we all do our part. What would it look like if we all pledged to lift up more and tear down less? What if we worked on respecting the person even if we struggle with the ideas they share. Our forefathers imagined *** more perfect union. We can create that, but it takes all of us. vlog welcomes responsible replies to this editorial.
Editorial: Pledge to lift each other up more this Fourth of July
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Updated: 5:25 PM CDT Jul 4, 2025
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Happy Independence Day. This weekend will be filled with picnics, fireworks, and fun. I shared a few thoughts on Independence Day last year, that still apply today. As we celebrate, let’s also remember the significance of July 4th. The day our founders declared their independence from Great Britain. The promises our forefathers made to themselves and future generations were always aspirational. It’s easy to find the places we still fall short. And this can cause a lot of reflection. For me, that reflection continues to be on how far our nation's rhetoric and civil discourse has fallen. Since I shared these thoughts last year, we’ve continued to see an erosion in civility. As a candidate, President Trump was nearly assassinated - twice. As recently as a couple weeks ago, a killer in Minnesota assassinated a state lawmaker with intentions to kill others. And is it any wonder? Nearly every major issue seems to create an opportunity for character assassination and division. Long lost are the days where competing ideas or philosophies could be respected. Today, we seem to live in this perpetual cycle of hate. Hate for any idea in direct opposition to ones we hold. We blame the government, blame the media, or blame anyone else. As we celebrate another Independence Day, I encourage all of us to take time to remember: Our country was built on the principle of government that was “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Meaning, the improvement we want isn’t going to come, unless we all do our part. What would it look like if we all pledged to lift up more and tear down less. What if we worked on respecting the person even if we struggle with the ideas they share? Our forefathers imagined a more perfect union. We can create that, but it takes all of us.
Happy Independence Day. This weekend will be filled with picnics, fireworks, and fun. I shared a few thoughts on Independence Day last year, that still apply today.
As we celebrate, let’s also remember the significance of July 4th. The day our founders declared their independence from Great Britain. The promises our forefathers made to themselves and future generations were always aspirational. It’s easy to find the places we still fall short. And this can cause a lot of reflection.
For me, that reflection continues to be on how far our nation's rhetoric and civil discourse has fallen. Since I shared these thoughts last year, we’ve continued to see an erosion in civility. As a candidate, President Trump was nearly assassinated - twice. As recently as a couple weeks ago, a killer in Minnesota assassinated a state lawmaker with intentions to kill others.
And is it any wonder? Nearly every major issue seems to create an opportunity for character assassination and division. Long lost are the days where competing ideas or philosophies could be respected. Today, we seem to live in this perpetual cycle of hate. Hate for any idea in direct opposition to ones we hold. We blame the government, blame the media, or blame anyone else.
As we celebrate another Independence Day, I encourage all of us to take time to remember: Our country was built on the principle of government that was “of the people, by the people and for the people.” Meaning, the improvement we want isn’t going to come, unless we all do our part. What would it look like if we all pledged to lift up more and tear down less. What if we worked on respecting the person even if we struggle with the ideas they share? Our forefathers imagined a more perfect union. We can create that, but it takes all of us.
