Dear fellow Aurora Residents,

There is an old Chinese saying that reads: "May you live in interesting times", and we certainly do. Today we witnessed a successful launch of the shuttle Discovery despite issues with foam coming loose from the vehicle. We all remember the tragic NASA Columbia disaster of 2003, a result of... a 1 pound piece of foam dislodging from the shuttle during launch. We have a highly disputed war in Iraq, and an even more controversial Commander in Chief. A small plane crashed into a tractor-trailer on a residential street a short distance from Montrose airport in Colorado. Two people on board were killed, nobody on the ground was hurt. The New York Times has been accused of treason. Yes, treason! On 2 occasions: the phone tap leak, and now the financial records traking leak. The controversy over freedom of the press is still alive and well today, as always. Brian and Edie of "Fox and Friends" (the national Fox News morning show) suggested the possible need for a government agency that monitors what the many media outlets are able to print or broadcast in regards to governmental issues. YES! You heard right. 2 news personalities advocating a government "censorship" agency. Unbelievable! Interesting times.

The immigration debate is in full swing, in the meantime the National Guard has been called to the border, and "vigilante" groups like the Minutemen are patrolling. Speaking of the immigration issue: need some illegal labor? Just head down to Colfax and Dayton, slightly north of Colfax and across the street from the Post Office. I find it questionable and somewhat ironic that this takes place in front of a government building, and has for quite some time. There, every weekday in the morning, you will find large group (30+) of individuals willing to work for a cheap wage. Even better, you don't have to worry about completing the necessary tax forms and all that nonsense that legitimate business owners worry themselves with.Where are the Minute Men when you need them? The authorities obviously don't care. Interesting times.

Every media outlet told us multiple times; the police would be out in force, and even the innocent sparkler was deemed too dangerous and illegal this year. Still, fireworks were heard throughout my neighborhood (downtown Aurora), the same is true every year I have lived here (31 years). One thing I did not hear was the gunfire at midnight. For as long as I can remember you would hear small arms firelate in the evening, both on the 4th of July and Jan. 1st. This just goes to show that people will still light fireworks, but it's too much trouble to discharge a firearm within city limits when its raining. I'm not sure what is more dangerous, the fire and injury hazard of illegal fireworks, or a speeding bullet returning to earth after being fired into the air. Don't you numbskulls realize that what goes up, must come down? I think it is more likely you just don't care and are selfish juveniles (no matter your age), willing to put lives in jeopardy with what you think is celebrating.

Well, thankfully this year I didn't hear anyone "bussin' caps".I hope the police caught many of the indiviuals using illegal fireworks,and hopefully the rain helped to quell any fires that may have been started as a result. Interesting times.

Yes, these are interesting times indeed. In Tennessee, a man and his dog approached a bear and her 2 cubs. This resulted in the man being slapped across the face by the bear. Why would anyone approach a wild bear and her cubs? Interesting times. This is probably the same type of person that shoots a gun into the air, or lights illegal fireworks when there is a ban, to celebrate the 4 th of July.

A SKINNY, 27-year-old Japanese national won a hotdog eating competition for the 6th time at Coney Island in New York. I think it's time an American wins this honor 6 times in a row, no... make it 25 times! Hotdogs are right up there with baseball and apple pie. American as it gets.

Despite warnings and international pressure, North Korea launched a long-range ICBM that malfunctioned seconds after launch. Though the missile malfunctioned, I find this particularly disturbing. Iran and North Korea's nuclear ambitions should be a great concern to all of us. Interesting times.

We, as Americans, truly do live in the greatest country on earth. We as Coloradoans live in the greatest state in this great country. And we as Aurorans live in the greatest city in this great state. I don't believe all this "Saudi Aurora" bull, I love this country and I love Aurora.

No matter how you feel about this country, this war, our space ambitions, our president, immigration, or the numerous other issues... you have the right to feel that way due to the principles this great country was founded upon. This is our reason for celebrating today. We celebrate the genius of our founding fathers and the bravery of those who have died fighting for these freedoms so many of us take for granted. Interesting times.

One final thought: Can your children recite the Pledge of Allegiance? This tradition dates back to September 8, 1892. It is our job to teach not only the words to this pledge, but the meaning behind the words to our children. There is a decline in patriotism within our society that is particularly unsettling. We have young adult high school graduates who don't know our current Secretary of State but have memorized the top 10 finalists of American Idol. This scares me. I don't blame the schools. No, I blame the parents! A public education can give knowledge, but it is we as parents that will instill core values and a deep love for this country in our children. The children are the future, and what type of future is there in this dangerous and largely corrupt world... if our children have no love for the United States and it's history? None! THOSE WOULD NOT BE INTERESTING TIMES!

God bless you all on this Independence Day, and god bless our troops in harms way.

-Timothy J Miller