As the first among my friends to see this July 4th, I thought I would take brief pause to celebrate the ideas of Independence. Perhaps one could say that the USA has drifted from these ideals. But for one day I can, without cyncism, say to you that these ideals were good. That if the world could be as these words claim, perhaps then we would all be more at peace.
First.... The reason for the holiday, The Declaration of Indpendence.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
And next the Pre-amble of the Constitution..
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Happy Independece Day! Let Freedom Ring! Look at these and find new direction and hope that if a people could envision these words... why then can we not also believe and change the world.
Kia Ora! Oi! Look at dat Henge. 
Here's Pop Pop and Gabe at Turakirae. It was a great day. We all ended up shedding our jackets before we were done. 
