The Fourth of July brings about a sense of patriotism for me that is unmatched any other time of year. By design, that is supposed to happen. I love my country, and I get goosebumps when the national anthem plays and the American flag waves in the sky. Unfortunately, during presidential campaign season, this sense of patriotism can wither as the mudslinging ensues and the divisions occur. Maybe that is natural, too, but it is unfortunate. Times like this remind me that we need to turn off the TV, get off social media and make a purposeful effort to find ways to unite with others rather than focus on our differences. But don’t take my word for it. Here are few great quotes about patriotism, liberty and freedom from some people you may have heard of:

“We’re blessed with the opportunity to stand for something — for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these things are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to.” - Ronald Reagan.

When President Reagan referred to fighting, he didn’t mean with fellow Americans but with those who wish to take away our liberties and freedoms. Those who choose to do that are, by no means, true Americans.

“What we need are critical lovers of America — patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.” - Hubert Humphrey

Complaining may be the easiest thing in this world to do, and we certainly have plenty of participants to prove it. President Humphrey wanted us to know that being part of the solution is work, and fully committing to that improvement is the American way.

“We may not be able to stop evil in the world, but how we treat one another is entirely up to us.” - Barack Obama

We may certainly disagree with each other on many subjects, but President Obama encouraged us to treat each other with respect and avoid hatred. He understood the fault in dividing a nation and then trying to govern it.

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official.” - Theodore Roosevelt

President Roosevelt was right. We do not need to stand by someone we did not choose as our president, but we should still show respect for the office and an appreciation for the views of others, even when they may not match our own. Who knows? We might even learn something.

In the meantime, enjoy the Fourth of July… and let freedom ring.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's previous columns here.

YOUR NEIGHBORS
The Cemetery Guy

By Cyote Williams

Kelly Penman Jr. receives help from several friends during his work on stone cleanings, replacements and settings.
Kelly Penman Jr. is a nurse by day and a cemetery repair guy by, well, also day. He grew up in Des Moines, but, like most in the U.S., has ancestral ties to countries overseas. Nine years ago, Penman was looking for a family member’s headstone in Scotland.

“It had fallen down when I located it, so we put it back up. As I looked around that same cemetery, it looked terrible because they were all down,” Penman said.

Penman says finding time to balance this practice and his nursing job isn’t as difficult as it may seem.

[...]

CITYVIEW's seasonal guide for activities and things to do in Central Iowa

EXPLORE: Local Events

By Cyote Williams

The best of the rest. Festivals, farmers markets, parades, you name it, central Iowa’s got it.

A garden oasis
Motsch family’s outdoor space is what dreams are made of.

By Lindsey Giardino

Holly Motsch has a knack for gardening — and it shows.

The Polk City resident gardens all year round.
“I am always messing around with house plants, and I am outside gardening until the ground freezes and back outside as soon as the first crocus pops up in late February,” she says.

She created her first garden bed in 2014 and has continued to add plants and garden elements since.

“I try to give my husband, Joshua, some grass to mow, because that’s what he enjoys, but I plan on adding a few more spaces,” Motsch says. “The garden has changed a lot over the years and probably will continue to change, as my taste is always changing. I have always done my own labor, from putting in a pond to filling it back up after we had kids to putting in patios, paths and trees.”

[...]

“Furiosa” (in theaters)
Writer/Director George Miller extends his Mad Max world to include a prequel to the most recent film (“Fury Road”) with Charlize Theron. In this one, Anya Taylor-Joy (so good in “The Queen’s Gambit”) plays a young version of Theron’s character. Like all the Mad Max films, the action starts almost immediately and doesn’t let up until the film is over. Chris Hemsworth is all but unrecognizable as the leader of the bad guys who endlessly chase this young woman across great spans of desert. This series shows promise. Grade: B

By Michael C. Woody. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986 and can be heard talking movies every Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. on KXn0 106.3 with Keith Murphy and Andy Fales. You can also follow him on Twitter @MrMovieDSM. 

These celebrities were born on this date: Margot Robbie, Lindsay Lohan, Ashley Tisdale, Alex Morgan, Derrick White, Caitlin Carmichael, Vince Staples, Gus Halper, Larry David, Danny Griffin, Geoff Wigington, Elizabeth Reaser

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

What was the name of the crime family that took over the wine importing business? THE SIP-RANOS! - Gail Tomlinson. Or THE GAM-VINOS! - Brendan Comito. Or Gotti have it? or Vino Corleone! - Rex Post

Today's riddle

Why should you always give birth in a hospital?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

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Angela Ossian
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 307
Mobile: 515-979-5585
angela@iowalivingmagazines.com

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