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--:-- John Bickley: 247 years ago, American patriots declared this nation and her people free and independent. Through two centuries, a civil war, two world wars, and tumultuous cultural and global changes, America has survived because regular citizens have held tight to the spirit that sparked this unprecedented experiment in human freedom. In this episode of Morning Wire, our contributors reflect on what that legacy means to them today. I'm Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe. It's July 4th, and this is a special Independence Day edition of Morning Wire.
--:-- Georgia Howe: Hi, this is Megan Basham, Daily Wire culture reporter. So my favorite thing to remember when celebrating the 4th of July is that the ideas this nation was founded on, while revolutionary, are grounded in eternal truths. In fact, they are so eternal and inherent, they are self-evident. So while we cover a lot of political debate on this show, and a lot of that does come with questions about the health of our institutions, we know that our rights are unalienable. And the more we take time to celebrate them, the better protected they are against infringement. Happy Independence Day.
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--:-- Cabot Phillips: To me, the 4th of July is all about freedom, The freedom to worship God and live out my faith, the freedom to elect our leaders, and the freedom to voice my opinions, though I do try to keep those out of my reporting on Morning Wire. My ideal 4th of July involves grilling a massive T-bone steak, setting off fireworks, and hopefully firing a few guns. Happy 4th to all of our listeners. We appreciate you deeply.
--:-- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee: As Americans, we are blessed to live in the most exceptional country on earth. And more than ever before, Tennessee is a beacon of opportunity and security and freedom, leading our great nation on her path to a more perfect union. Happy birthday, America.
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--:-- Amanda Prestigiacomo: Hi, Morning Wire listeners, and happy fourth. It's Daily Wire reporter Amanda Prestigiacomo. I love the 4th of July. I'm just in awe of our founding and our ideals, and I was also born on the 4th of July. When I was growing up, I just felt so honored to share my birthday with America. And when I think about our nation's ideals, I feel the same way today. So go enjoy the fourth. Watch some guys competitively eat hot dogs, crack open a beer and set off some fireworks and stay safe.
--:-- Tim Pierce: And I just wanted to wish you all a happy 4th of July. If you needed more evidence that the United States is the greatest country on earth the largest Buc in the world just opened right here in Tennessee Thanks for taking the time to listen to us every day and support our work Be sure to check back tomorrow for more of the news you need to know.
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--:-- Marty McCary: I'm Marty McCary from Johns Hopkins Hospital and 4th of July is meaningful to me because I'm an immigrant and this country means a lot to me. It's a country that's given me a tremendous amount of opportunities and for that I'm very grateful.
--:-- Peter Boghossian: My name is Peter Boghossian and to me America is a beacon of freedom and opportunity. It stands for the rights of individuals to express their views, debate ideas and strive toward truth. It's a canvas for free thinkers, the brave and the tenacious. In America, I see a constant endeavor to improve, driven by a collective quest for liberty, justice and the pursuit of knowledge. The America I love fosters dialogue and allows for the evolution of thought. Let us cherish and uphold these values that define our great nation.
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--:-- Sarah Parshall Perry: On this 4th of July I'm grateful for an America that is colorblind Writing in 1896 Justice John Marshall Harlan observed that our Constitution is colorblind and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens. In just a few days, the Supreme Court has determined that, yes, it will remain faithful to the promises of a colorblind Constitution and Declaration of independence, reiterating once and for all that the ground here in America is level for all to succeed with the equal opportunity we've all been granted.
--:-- Kenny Polcari: Hi, I'm Kenny Polcari, and I am the managing founder of Case Capital Advisors. And what does America mean to me? Well, it means freedom and democracy. It means the rights of individuals to fight for that democratic form of government while having the right to agree to disagree without penalty. It's about opportunity and entrepreneurship where anybody can pursue their dreams and their aspirations. It's about our rich cultural diversity. And finally, it's about being the land of the free and the home of the brave. And I, for one, am honored to be an American standing on the shoulders of all those who came before me.
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--:-- Winsome Earl Sears: America means to me freedom, first and foremost. If you don't have your freedom, you really don't have anything because you don't have the ability to move about. You don't have the ability for opportunity. You don't have the ability to do anything except what the government decides. And so America must remain America because there is no place else to escape. God bless America.
--:-- Ben Klein: Hi, this is Congressman Ben Klein, and I represent the beautiful 6th Congressional District, which includes the Shenandoah and Roanoke Valleys of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives. I'd like to wish you and your family a very safe and blessed Independence Day. As a young kid growing up in the district, I'm now honored to represent. I was consistently inspired by the stories about the sacrifices that our founding fathers made in their fight for independence. Have a great Fourth of July with family and friends and never lose sight of the blessings of freedom and the price paid by those who fought for the liberty and independence we hold so dear. May God bless you and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
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--:-- Kenny Hsu: The Fourth of July to me is a celebration of what makes America great. people can come from any background and it doesn't matter what race you are or ethnicity you are. You're an American and you're an American first and you believe in these principles based on treating people as Americans, as individuals. So I love the 4th of July for that.
--:-- Carl Szabo: And what does America mean to me? It means innovation and invention. Remember, we're the country that invented the steam engine, the automobile, and the microchip. We're the nation that took the world to the moon, and we will continue to be the world leaders for the next decade the next century the next millennia because of our perseverance our ingenuity our inspiration and our innovation
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--:-- Matthew Cappucci: The 4th of July to me is a special time every year where I try to make a trip back home to Cape Cod. You know, my family growing up lived about three or four blocks from the beach, and every year we'd go down and watch the fireworks, and after they were all done, I'd sit back and watch the stars and sort of reflect on how lucky I was. And so one of my favorite things to do on the 4th of July each year isn't just the fireworks, but is to go out stargazing and sort of contemplate what's going on by looking up.
--:-- Dr. Scott Atlas: To me, America means freedom and independent thinking. It means the opportunity to work hard to achieve the American dream, to see your children have an even better life than you. America is the world's beacon for freedom and opportunity, but with that precious freedom comes a great responsibility, a moral obligation for all of us Americans to show the courage to speak out for what's right, to speak truth to power, and to fight for that freedom and never, ever give in to those who want to take it away.
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--:-- Brandon Arnold: And to me, America means opportunity. It doesn't matter what your background is, your religion, your political beliefs, where you come from. Everyone in this country has a chance of being successful, getting an education, starting a family, getting a job or even starting a business. Whatever success means to you, you can achieve it. And nowhere else in the world provides those kinds of opportunities to everybody.
--:-- Raelynn: Hey, y'all. It's Raelynn. And America means to me unity, family, and freedom. I think about all the opportunities that I've gotten as an artist and as a mother and as a wife. And it's all due to the incredible people that have fought for those opportunities. And honestly, I will never not be proud to be an American.
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--:-- John Rich: What America means to me is the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, what they call the inalienable rights, meaning they were granted to us by God, our creator, not by man, not by government. It's what separates our country from every other country that's ever existed, that those are acknowledged in our founding. And so it doesn't matter where you start, how tough your life has been. You have the right to pursue happiness, not the right to be happy or be successful, but the right to pursue those things. And in that pursuit, you will find your happiness. And that's what America means to me.
--:-- John Bickley: And on that note, we'll close out our show so we can get grilling and celebrate this glorious day with family and friends. Georgia, what are you doing?
--:-- Georgia Howe: I'm looking forward to some fireworks. We love some fireworks, too, though the dog, not so much.
--:-- John Bickley: That about wraps it up. We'll be back with a regular show tomorrow morning. Have a restful, restorative, and celebratory Independence Day. And as always, thank you so much for waking up with us.
