Last week, hubby and I watched The Last Rifleman, “…a 2023 British drama film loosely based on real events. It follows Artie Crawford (Pierce Brosnan), a 92 year old Northern Irish World War II Veteran who, on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, decides to secretly escape his care home. He embarked on an arduous but inspirational journey from Northern Ireland to France to pay his final respects to his best friend and found the courage to face the ghosts of his past.”
It was a great movie! There were some laughs, an engaging story line and a number of poignant scenes, especially when Artie meets German veterans and they describe their different wartime experiences. Their discussion may take you by surprise. I continue to be in awe at the sacrifices our Veterans made for our freedoms. You can watch the movie trailers here.
Foreigners Find Fabulous Food Here
International soccer fans visiting our country for the recent FIFA 2026 World Cup soccer matches (or football to the rest of the world) have been downright exuberant at what they’ve seen and experienced here in the good old US of A.
They’ve said that the way the U.S. is portrayed by their media (and sometimes ours, frankly) isn’t at all what they have experienced during their visits. Yes, the food is pretty spectacular here. We love our air conditioning during the warm weather and there’s lots to choose from in most grocery stores.
They love the Big Gulp drinks from 7-11, ranch dressing, Waffle House and surprisingly Taco Bell (described as “The Holy Land”). They’re also struck by how friendly we’ve been.
But we’ve got a lot more going for us than just the food and friendliness. And I think it’s time we appreciate what we’ve got and push back against those who are working hard to undermine it.
“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” —Coco Chanel
Freedoms We Should Never Take for Granted
We are a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy as some would have you believe. “Our Constitution is the supreme law of the United States and framework for the federal government. It’s composed of a Preamble, seven articles and 27 amendments. The first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights, which protect individual liberties.”
And our rights, natural rights, come to us from God. Not from the Government.
My favorite Amendment is the First Amendment: freedom of speech (including freedom from being compelled to speak), religion (not freedom from religion, but freedom to worship as we wish), press, assembly, and petition. The freedom to speak, and not be compelled to speak in ways that others demand, has been under attack.
“Freedom of speech is the predicate of all rights. It’s the predicate of a functioning psyche. I have freedom of speech so that I can think.” —Jordan Peterson
We’re watching an example of compelled speech play out right here in Colorado where “…owners of a Christian bookstore in Colorado Springs, are filing a lawsuit against a controversial gender-expression law passed in 2025 requiring businesses to address customers according to their preferred pronouns, rather than biological sex….the law expands “gender expression” to include titles and pronouns, requiring businesses to address customers accordingly or face potential legal consequences…”
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys, who represent the bookstore owners asserted, “According to the federal lawsuit…the government has no need or right to force Americans to profess ideological views they oppose…the Constitution demands it…”
You can read more about this attack on free speech here.
My guess is that this lawsuit could make its way up to the Supreme Court before long. And for good reason. We don’t want to end up like the poor folks in Great Britain.
Freedoms We Enjoy
We have freedoms many people in most countries around the world can only dream of. They include the freedom to:
- start a business and make a living without permission from anyone (with the exception of silly licensing requirements for: interior designers, home entertainment installers, shampooers, packagers, upholsterers and others described here)
- pursue the career of your choice
- make music, write books, start a podcast and launch a Substack newsletter
- move wherever you want to in the U.S. and even overseas, if they’ll have you
- buy a house, then rent it out, unless you live in NYC where they’re planning to seize private property
- shop where you want and buy what you want with plenty of choice to fulfill your needs and desires
- hunt, fish and farm (unless you live in Oregon where they plan to criminalize those activities through their Initiative Petition 28. Read all about this craziness at Outdoor Life.
- worship freely
- build wealth
- defend yourself and your family
- enjoy what many countries don’t have — air conditioning
And much, much more…
So Very Thankful
I’m so proud to be an American! (And to have served in the USAF for seven years active duty.) A recent poll reported that only 33% of those questioned agree they are proud to be an American. Very sad! We are fortunate and blessed. Just ask anyone who has lived under socialism, communism and other repressive regimes. They’ll tell you what it’s really like.
Let’s appreciate what we have and share the benefits of living in this great country with those who have forgotten, who were never taught or who are hell-bent on destroying the most successful and long-lasting governance system in the world.
An Eye-opening Movie
The Epoch Times Movie: Final Hours — Is Death Really the End?
A free documentary on the stories of four people who returned from a near death experience (NDE) with a greater sense of purpose and joy in the life they were given. The movie is free, but they require you login with your email address to watch it. I highly recommend the Epoch Times for accurate and fair reporting, both in print and online. Watch the movie here.
Educational Resources
–Leadership Program of the Rockies (LPR): It was a real privilege to be among the 2010 class of graduates from LPR – it was one of the top five most important things I’ve ever done. It’s open to anyone in Colorado. See the list of graduates.
“The Leadership Program of the Rockies is America’s premier institute to develop, strengthen, train and equip emerging leaders to reach new heights in public policy and the political process.” If you’re interested in making a difference in your community, growing as a leader, and deepening your understanding of America’s founding principles and their application today, consider attending an upcoming recruitment event.
-One of the most memorable and impactful LPR instructors was Thomas L. Krannawitter, Ph.D., scholar and professor of Waypoints. Waypoints is a supplemental teaching and learning resource for high-school teachers and students, built around beautifully published historic primary sources. Waypoints serves individual learners, homeschooling families, educators, schools and districts. Sign up for a Free Trial at https://waypointsteaching.com/
Small Business Spotlight
My friend, Alice Crider, is an author coach, editor and now a podcast host who lives near Colorado Springs. She has four grown children and 9 grandchildren. She also has a horse and loves trail riding. And her first traditionally published book will be out in April 2027. Alice’s full time passion and occupation was born from a desire to live in Colorado (from Illinois) and be a writer. She got into publishing as a struggling single mom after homeschooling her kids for nine years.
Alice’s first job in publishing was as a part-time editorial assistant in Sunday school curriculum. She then moved into the book department, almost got fired, hired a life coach, and took a personal development course, which caused her world to greatly improve.
Now, after decades in book publishing, she’s a self-employed certified life coach for authors. She’s also an editor with 27+ years of experience, specializing in developmental, content and line editing of nonfiction and memoir books. In addition, she’s a certified copywriter and marketing enthusiast in marketing funnel, back cover, book proposal and website copy.
Visit Alice on her website and check out her new podcast for authors.
A very happy Independence Day celebration to you all!
Warmly, Laura