Saturday, July 4, 2015

What Is Proud American?



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You’re a proud American … we’re all proud Americans. Proud American is an call to action – and invitation – by Fox News to all its loyal viewers to celebrate our nation and what makes us proud to be Americans. Proud American showcases the very best of our country - from salutes to our military veterans and those currently serving overseas, to profiles of our brave men and women in law enforcement, to simple acts of kindness, generosity and patriotism in our community.
So, let’s share our pride! Tune in to Fox News and look for specialProud American features on all our programming from now through July 4.  Show us how proud of an American you are! Share your videos, pictures, tributes and shoutouts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, using #ProudAmerican.
Use #ProudAmerican and everyone will get to see that you are a very Proud American right here!
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Support Grows for States to Ignore the Federal Courts

Following last week’s controversial U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Obamacare and gay marriage, voters believe more strongly that individual states should have the right to turn their backs on the federal courts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of Likely U.S. Voters now believe that states should have the right to ignore federal court rulings if their elected officials agree with them. That’s up nine points from 24% when we first asked this question in February.  Just over half (52%) disagree, down from 58% in the earlier survey. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Perhaps even more disturbing is that the voters who feel strongest about overriding the federal courts – Republicans and conservatives - are those who traditionally have been the most supportive of the Constitution and separation of powers. During the Obama years, however, these voters have become increasingly suspicious and even hostile toward the federal government.

Fifty percent (50%) of GOP voters now believe states should have the right to ignore federal court rulings, compared to just 22% of Democrats and 30% of voters not affiliated with either major party. Interestingly, this represents a noticeable rise in support among all three groups.

Fifty percent (50%) of conservative voters share this view, but just 27% of moderates and 15% of liberals agree.


(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 30-July 1, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Earlier this year, 26% of voters told Rasmussen Reports that President Obama should have the right to ignore federal court rulings if they are standing in the way of actions he feels are important for the country. Forty-three percent (43%) of Democrats shared this belief, while 81% of Republicans and 67% of unaffiliated voters disagreed.

The more a voter approves of Obama’s performance, the more likely he or she is to say that states should not have the right to ignore the federal courts.

Higher income voters are more likely to oppose letting states ignore federal court rulings than those who earn less.

Support for ignoring the federal courts is up among most demographic groups, however.

Most voters have long believed that the Supreme Court justices have their own political agenda, and they still tend to feel that that agenda is more liberal than conservative.

A plurality (47%) of voters continues to believe the federal government has too much influence over state governments, and 54% think states should have the right to opt out of federal government programs that they don’t agree with.  Even more (61%) think states should have the right to opt out of federally mandated programs if the federal government doesn’t help pay for them.

The Declaration of Independence, the foundational document that Americans honor on the Fourth of July, says that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed, but just 25% believe that to be true of the federal government today.

Only 20% now consider the federal government a protector of individual liberty.  Sixty percent (60%) see the government as a threat to individual liberty instead.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only. 

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it’s free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.


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[VIDEO] Condoleezza Rice and violinist Jenny Oaks Baker perform ‘Amazing Grace’

A video posted to YouTube Thursday shows former secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on piano accompanying Utah violinist Jenny Oaks Baker in a spectacular rendition of “Amazing Grace.

The song is for sale on iTunes. According to Fox 13 Salt Lake City, the money raised by sales of the tune will go to the Wounded Warrior Project

“It was such a joy and a privilege to perform ‘Amazing Grace’ with Dr. Rice,” Baker explained of the collaboration. “It is my favorite song to perform and I am thrilled that we are able to pay tribute to all the soldiers who have given so much for America.”

Take a listen below.



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Another Independence Day Star Is Coming Back For The Sequel

Independence Day 2

Vivica A. Fox will reprise her role as Jasmine in the sequel, director Roland Emmerich announced. The previously announced Jessie Usher (Survivor's Remorse) will play her son. Also in talks to join the second movie: Charlotte Gainsbourg (Nymphomaniac). Original stars Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman will also be back, joined by new star Liam Hemsworth. See the tweet below. [Digital Spy]
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    2. Via: IO9

    4. Continue Reading.....
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What was the weather like on July 4, 1776?

July 4, 1776
Independence Day

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On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed signifying our independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson drafted this historical document but he also kept weather logs. Here’s what he recorded for the first Independence Day, 239 years ago.
Philadelphia Weather Conditions, July 4, 1776
6am: 68°  //  1pm: 76°  //  Warm and humid day*
*Keep in mind that heavy suits and wigs were the fashion of the time. There was not the luxury of air conditioning either.
Here’s how Jefferson describes his ritual, “My method is to make two observations a day, the one as early as possible in the morning, the other from 3. to 4. aclock, because I have found 4. aclock the hottest and day light the coldest point of the 24. hours. I state them in an ivory pocket book in the following form, and copy them out once a week.”
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In the 1700’s, personal weather diaries allowed people to keep track of the weather. By the 1800’s the U.S. Weather Bureau was founded and became known as the National Weather Service during the 1900’s.
~ Meteorologist Candice Boling
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Must-have craft beers for July 4th celebrations

Don’t water down your fireworks. These summer selections can be the life of the party.

The odds are pretty good you’re going to have a beer this weekend.
The Fourth of July is the biggest beer holiday of the year, according to Nielsen. Last year, consumers spent $825.8 million on ales, lagers and other sudsy beverages as they celebrated America’s independence – just under $300 million more than they do for the Super Bowl and $95 million more than Memorial Day.
So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise when you see all sorts of specials on Bud Light, Miller Light and Coors Light at your local grocery and package stores – or the heavy ad campaigns by the macro beer companies. And those pushes make plenty of sense. Given that July 4 celebrations are often day-long affairs, there’s a good case to be made for lighter, low alcohol beers.
Fortunately, craft brewers have become more cognizant of that – and there are some terrific options available. In fact, since July 4 is a holiday where even non-beer drinkers tend to pick one up at some point, this can be the perfect time to introduce people to craft options.
One way to do that is at a beer festival. There are, somewhat surprisingly, a couple of notable gatherings that occur this weekend. The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta will host Red, White & Brew, with more than 50 beers to sample (followed by a fireworks viewing on the roof of the Aquarium’s parking deck). And Portland’s Craft Beer Festival will be in full gear, with 45 brewers taking part in the three-day event.
But let’s be honest. Most of us will spend the day with friends and family, not too many steps away from the grill – and likely with a pool or ocean within sight as well. If that’s your plan and you’re looking for something different to put in the cooler this year, here are a few suggestions – based around what you might be doing at the time. As you sip by the pool or on the beach.
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[VIDEOS] Good Question: Why Do We Celebrate Independence Day On July 4?

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — The Fourth of July is the celebration of America’s independence, but here’s a little known fact: We didn’t actually declare our independence on that day.
So why do we celebrate on July 4?
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which is the date on the document. But the Continental Congress had actually declared independence on July 2.
It wasn’t until July 8 that the city of Philadelphia celebrated, and then-Gen. George Washington didn’t know the declaration was official until July 9. Most of the signers penned their names on August 2. The news didn’t reach England until mid-August.
The fourth of July didn’t become an official U.S. holiday until 1870.
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BOSTON: July 4 Events 2015: Independence Day Guide To Fireworks, Concerts And Harborfest



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Fireworks explode over the Charles River with the city of Cambridge in the background during Boston's Fourth of July celebration in 2013. Mario Tama/Getty Images
On the Fourth of July, that blissful holiday of reveling in fireworks and barbecues with friends and family, there is no better city to celebrate in than Boston, the place most closely associated with launch the American Revolution. Its most popular Independence Day events regularly draw half a million attendees and viewers. Here’s your guide to the best of them.
The immensely popular Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is a combination of music and fireworks. It’s a two-night affair, July 3 and 4, that takes place along the Charles River at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade that lies between the Longfellow and Massachusetts Avenue bridges. The Friday concert will begin at 8:30 p.m. EDT and end at 10 p.m. The Saturday concert will start at 8:30 p.m., and fireworks will be launched at 10:30 p.m.
Visit this official site to learn how to enter different official viewing points for the  fireworks, as well as what items visitors are and are not permitted to  bring -- backpacks are not allowed and have not been for several years. Those planning to ride public transportation can check the special Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority schedule here (the T is reportedly free for all after 9:30 p.m.). Those eager to avoid the crowds -- and the security checks -- should check out this list of unofficial spots that offer an excellent view of the pyrotechnics without the hassle.
And, of course, don’t forget the plethora of activities continuing throughout the day on the Fourth of July. For example, the Boston Harborfest, a festival running July 1-5, includes walking tours, historical re-enactments, the famous Chowdafest, an 18th-century chocolate-making demonstration and more, all celebrating Boston’s history and heritage. Most events are held in downtown Boston and along the waterfront. A full schedule of events can be viewed here.
For the historically minded, the Declaration of Independence will be read on the balcony of Faneuil Hall Saturday at 10 a.m. The event is free for all.
Bars and restaurants and bars are featuring specials for Independence Day, ranging from Cinquecento’sbocce tournament (a $200 gift card goes to the winner) and cheap oysters to numerous holiday brunch and/or drink menus throughout the city.

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4th of July Parades Throughout LA County to Kick Off Independence Day



From Santa Monica to Pasadena, south landers will celebrate the holiday with a series of parades.


Parades marking the 239th anniversary of the nation’s independence will be held Saturday throughout Los Angeles County, with three having a connection to the Special Olympics World Games.
Santa Monica’s ninth annual Fourth of July parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Main Street and Pico Boulevard. Its theme is “Inspirational Heroes.” Special Olympics global messenger Will Montgomery will be the grand marshal.
The Holmby Westwood Property Owners Association 4th of July Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Warner Avenue School. It will be led by Special Olympics World Games athletes Laura Cook, Luke Rose and Destiny Sanchez.
South Pasadena’s 33rd annual Festival of Balloons Fourth of July Parade will have the theme “South Pasadena Welcomes the Special Olympics World Games.” It will begin at 11 a.m. at Mission Street and Diamond Avenue.
The Special Olympics World Games will be held from July 25-Aug. 2. It will be the biggest sporting event to be held in the Los Angeles area since the 1984 Olympic Games.
The 67th annual Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunset Boulevard, between Via de la Paz and Drummond Street. Its theme is “Palisades Parade: Pride! Passion! Patriotism!”
Businesswoman and longtime Pacific Palisades resident Joyce Brunelle, who submitted the winning entry, said it was inspired by the community’s residents and businessmen and women who volunteer their time on behalf of various projects.
KFI-AM (640) morning show host Bill Handel will be the grand marshal.
Westchester’s 16th annual Fourth of July Parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and will be held along Loyola Boulevard from Westchester Park to Loyola Marymount University. The theme is “American Beach Party.”
The grand marshal will be Royce Clayton, who was raised in Westchester and played shortstop for 11 Major League Baseball teams from 1991 to 2007.
San Gabriel’s 4th of July Parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Mission Elementary School, then head east on Broadway and conclude at Smith Park, where there will be a family picnic and barbecue.
The Valley Village Homeowners Association Fourth of July Parade will begin at Colfax Elementary School at 10 a.m. The parade is billed as a “red, white and blue celebration” where residents are encouraged to create their own floats and displays.
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks, will be among the participants.
The parade will conclude at Valley Village Park where the association will provide corn dogs, watermelon, cold drinks and cupcakes.
The 12th annual Great American Kids’ Bike Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at 1 Granada Ave. on the beach bike path in Long Beach.
Sierra Madre’s 4th of July Parade will include children on decorated bicycles, classic cars and a marching band. The 1.3-mile two- hour parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of Sierra Madre Boulevard and Sunnyside Avenue, and travel the length of Sierra Madre Boulevard to Sierra Vista Park.
Former Mayor Clem Bartolai and his wife Nina will be the grand marshal. Clem was a member of the committee that organized the first Fourth of July parade and celebration, was a member of the parks and recreation and planning commissions and a founding member of the Sierra Madre Community Foundation.
Nina has served on the Sierra Community Commission for more than six years. She and her husband were both involved with the Sierra Madre Rose Float Association, Sierra Madre Historical Society and Friends of the Library.
Rosemead’s parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Muscatel Avenue and Valley Boulevard and will include floats, bands, dignitaries and classic cars.
The Sunland-Tujunga Independence Day parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. at Foothill Boulevard and Mt. Gleason Avenue, head west along Foothill Boulevard and end at Sunland Park. Its theme is “Celebrating Our National Forest.” Smokey Bear will be the grand marshal.
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