In The News – Patriotic Ball Drop
Times Square to feature patriotic ball drop for New Year’s Eve
The New Year’s Eve ball drop in New York City will sparkle in red, white, and blue to kick off celebrations for the U.S.’s 250th birthday in 2026
By Susan Haigh – Associated Press
Dec 26, 2025
“The patriotic touches at this year’s Times Square gathering, including a second confetti drop, will offer an early glimpse of what’s ahead: hundreds of events and programs, big and small, planned nationwide to mark the signing of the Declaration of Independence.”
“It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”
“On the following day, America250 will participate in the New Years Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” It will feature three larger-than-life bald eagles representing the country’s past, present and future.”
“They’re also planning a second ball drop July 3, the eve of the nation’s birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios said.”
“It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve, she said.”
“President Donald Trump has also announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.”
Get Ready To Celebrate
Get ready to celebrate what became of the federal government over the past 250 years.
Reflect on paper money.
Reflect on decades of undeclared/unwon wars.
Before those wars, we had WWII and a Dept. of War. We had Armistice Day.
The Dept. of War brand is back.
US Army WWII uniforms are back.
Will Armistice Day make a return?
Will decades of undeclared/unwon wars roll on?
From 2004
“Today, however, the Congress has relinquished its delegated powers, giving the President license to do whatever he and his office determine that they can get away with. Consequentially, the presidential and legislative oaths to the Constitution have just turned into a great photo op on inauguration day.”
“It is a sad and hard realization for a grunt who loves the Marine Corps to admit that the organization is not used in the preservation of liberty, and has not been used toward that end for a very long time.”
Source:
By Casey Khan
February 14, 2004
The USA is OK with lies about freedom
Biden honors Americans who ‘stood on the front lines of freedom’ in Veterans Day remarks
CNN Nov 11, 2023
Sorry, no newspeople available to ask:
Mr President,
Going back to the 1990 Operation Desert Shield,
How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?
Reflect on a society that can’t stop bragging about freedom, thanking the troops for freedoms, fighting wars for freedoms, staging military jet flyovers at sporting events for freedom, etc.
Reflect on freedoms that diminish over time.
Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.
No such thing the day I graduated from high school.
That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.
Reflect on the reality that as time goes on, the consumer choices we have are becoming more restricted by a combination of government and big business policies, not Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden or the next bad guy DOD will be going after in distant lands.
Reflect on the idea that, in recent years, the press tends to support government agencies, departments and policies rather than question them.
Happy 250 USA
Bill Hicks: You are free to do as we tell you.
At 4:17 below, Bill Hicks delivers his message.
Reflect on a War on Terror that sends US troops to Iraq and Afghanistan to keep a post 911 USA safe & secure while cartels are able to move product into all 50 states:
DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas:
“…HIDTA-designated counties are located in 50 states…”
Welcome Home Troops
Arizona DEA – Border Not Sealed
Dec 16, 2025
FOX 10 Phoenix
Don’t lie to people and maybe they would be more patriotic.
Another Ball Drop For Independence Day
Times Square to hold second ball drop in July to mark America’s 250th birthday
By Ryan King
Dec 26, 2025 – MSN
“To ring in the 4th of July, starting with the same type of festivities that you would normally see on New Year’s Eve — what better way to represent this global impact that we as a country have and the responsibility that comes with that?” Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, told The Post.
Feeling the energy:
Back home:
The country struggles with:
Look for TV newspeople and school teachers to ask zero questions related to US history such as:
It took a constitutional amendment to prohibit the sale of a glass of wine- why no constitutional amendment to authorize a federal prohibition of marijuana?
Loyalty May Need To Be Enforced
Kennedy Center leader rebukes musician who canceled Christmas concert
By Frances Vinall
Dec 27, 2025 – MSN
Earlier:
Kennedy Center Christmas Eve Jazz Concert Canceled Over Trump Name On Building
By Greg Evans
Dec 25, 2025
“A Christmas Eve jazz concert held annually for two decades at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was canceled by its host this year in protest of the addition of Donald Trump‘s name to the Washington, D.C., building.”
“But on December 18 and 19, 2025—in scenes more reminiscent of authoritarian regimes than the American republic—the sitting President and his handpicked loyalists renamed this storied center after President Trump.”
Trade, Travel and Friendship
Some might say trade, travel and friendship (as much as possible) are good for the economy. This approach may help to avoid misunderstandings and wars.
Welcoming Visitors – USA Style – 2026
National Parks Hospitality & Goodwill Program
Related:
For the Marines, the War on Terror began before 911
Take An Oath To The Constitution
The people of Alaska need services in the Middle East
Most And Least Meaningful Federal Holidays