Happy Independence Day. We are free, literally, to obsess about smoking the perfect meats thanks to the vision and ultimate sacrifices of our founding fathers and the patriots that supported them. Don't let this freedom slip away. If you feel the country today is suffering from a sudden or unimagined erosion of our freedoms, then read this from those who gave us our liberty...
Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it."
-John Adams
I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
-James Madison
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
-Tom Paine
“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”
-Samuel Adams