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July 3, 2009

State of the Union: Powell on the meaning of July 4

Posted: July 3rd, 2009 08:30 AM ET

From CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

WASHINGTON (CNN) – In an interview set to air Sunday on CNN's State of the Union, former Secretary of State Colin Powell shares with CNN's John King what the national independence holiday means to him.

"July 4th still represents a remarkable date for us to stall or stop and reflect on what our founding fathers achieved on July 4 of 1776," says the former general, "And the noble sentiment they gave to the rest of the world that all men are created equal and that governments serve the people. And the people serve the nation."

"So, on July 4th, let's as we were told by our founding fathers, shoot rockets and celebrate and let the bombs go off and celebrate and praise our flag," he says. "But let's not forget that the freedom we enjoy, the freedom that we declared that we would have in 1776, still has to be won every single day and it's won by all of us, but especially by these young men and women in uniform."

Filed under: Colin Powell • State of the Union

6 Comments | Permalink


reflect on our founding fathers		July 3rd, 2009 10:26 am ET yes, absolutely, we should celebrate all that we and our founding fathers have achieved and our future enough with all this original intent of the constitution however Scalia et al that says we need to stick to the words of the constitution not original intent, it is a living document that has been interpreted and UPDATED as we have gone along the level of garbage that comes with a conservative moniker is huge

Keith in Austin		July 3rd, 2009 10:11 am ET Freedom??? What freedoms are to be lost under Obama initiatives like; Socialized Healthcare, Cap and Trade, added Value Taxes etc etc. Our Forefathers left England to escape King George and the tyranny of government and taxation 233 years ago! King Obama and his leftist cronies in Congress are coming after us again! Wake up America PLEASE.... Before it's too late

Tatianna		July 3rd, 2009 9:51 am ET The dems are tearing at the Founding Fabric of the nation. We elected a president, not a founding father. There is truth to saying All politicians, including President Obama, are temporary stewards of this nation. It is not their task to remake the founding of this country and rebuild it in their own image.

Scott, Tucson		July 3rd, 2009 9:49 am ET Freedom? How about freedom from these excessive taxes our suppose representatives are hammering us with. How about the freedom to choose whether we want health care or not and, not being fined by the IRS for refusing health care. Seems that freedom and liberty is fast disappearing in this country.

Leah		July 3rd, 2009 9:34 am ET Once more Friday's blogs act as an advertisement for John King's Republican Slanted Show...

kishen c.rao		July 3rd, 2009 9:25 am ET Mr. Colin: please tell your republicans to be more ethical and not greedy. Lobbyists to not to be greedy and show some empathy at least towards the nation. Tell most of the foreigners to show some kind of allegiance to the nation that they live in. Thanks, God bless the nation, the USA!!! And Mr. President, Obama to fix the health care...Government run health care....needed....
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