Israel melting down. ISIS reforming the Caliphate. The US 36th in freedom... illegal alien invaders overwhelming our borders, people being forced to buy products they don't want, employers being forced to provide benefits to employees they don't want, NSA spying, TSA groping, EPA crippling... amid so much bad news, a little proverb from "crazy" Ron Cole ("Fallen Angels"):

"The Sister of Misfortune is Hope"

On Cashin' In, Juan Williams was just arguing with Johnathan Hoeig and Wayne Rogers about freedom in America, and accusing them of being only for freedom for the rich. Jonathan pointed out that freedom is freedom from coercion, not freedom from strife or want.

The real reason the millions flooded our shores, the real reason the illegal aliens are invading our borders, the real reason Obama got elected, it wasn't opportunity or security.

It was hope.

Hope made them endure the hardships they endured. Hope keeps you trying when all reason says, "It's over; give up, you're beaten". So long as you have hope, the battle cannot be lost.

For the past couple of years, hope is all that's kept me alive. Hope is all that keeps me trying. At this late point in my life, I still have hopes... hope to achieve success and wealth and value for my existence; hope to attain the woman of my dreams, hope to be a better man, and when the time comes, to go to my rest content with my life, and maybe leave something, anything behind that says I was here.

Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. On this 4th of July weekend, reflect on the hopes that created this nation.

"He either fears his fate too much, or his desserts are small, who will not put it to the touch, to win, or lose it all".

I hope you all are having an enjoyable Independence Day celebration.