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Obama: Freedom doesn’t just happen, must be defended daily

ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama hugs and sings “Happy Birthday” to his daughter Malia Obama, as they are joined by Kendrick Lamar, left, and Janelle Monae, right, on stage during an Independence Day celebration in the East Room of the White House, in Washington, today for members of the military and their families.

WASHINGTON » President Barack Obama, marking his final Fourth of July in the White House, said freedom isn’t something that “just happens” but must be defended every single day.

Obama said it’s important that people remember what “a miracle” the U.S. is and how “incredibly lucky we are that people generations ago were willing to take up arms and fight for our freedom.”

“Independence is not something that just happens,” he said during brief remarks to several hundred people in the White House East Room after rain forced cancellation for the second straight year of an annual barbecue on the South Lawn for some 5,000 military service members, veterans and their families.

“It’s something that we have to fight for every single day,” Obama said. “It’s something that we have to nurture and we have to spread the word and we have to work on.”

Freedom involves respecting each other and recognizing the hardships faced by fellow citizens, such as hunger and unemployment, said Obama, who spoke after about an hour’s worth of hip-shaking musical performances by rapper Kendrick Lamar and singer-songwriter Janelle Monae.

Monae closed her set by performing “Let’s Go Crazy” in tribute to Prince, who died this year.

Obama had another birthday to celebrate: His oldest daughter, Malia, turned 18. He led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to her, saying “it’s a job of a father to embarrass his daughter.”

18 responses to “Obama: Freedom doesn’t just happen, must be defended daily”

  1. Allaha says:

    Freedom to build ramshackles and camp on sidewalks and parks and defecate anywhere and throw trash anywhere must be daily defended.

  2. lespark says:

    Our POTUS has no fight in him. All talk, no action. Nose too far up his chin.
    Get ready for at least four more years unless we go out and vote. Hawaiians call him waha.

  3. st1d says:

    “Obama said it’s important that people remember . . . how “incredibly lucky we are that people generations ago were willing to take up arms and fight for our freedom.” “It’s something that we have to fight for every single day,” Obama said.”

    and yet, everyday obama and his gruber democrats try to reduce the law abiding american citizens’ rights to fight against thought police who restrict free speech with designations of safe zones, sanctions against micro aggressions and trigger words, and who attack and disrupt peaceful campaigners during speeches and presentations.

    america’s enemy is not its law abiding citizens but radical islamic terrorists who advocate and prosecute war against all peaceful people of the united states of all faiths and beliefs.

    • lespark says:

      Obama calls them talking points. Tomorrow he and Hilliary are going to jump on AF1 and campaign. They’ll bring Loretta and Bill along so they can find out what the FBI found out, talk about the grandkids, golf and travels. How can they get away with stuff like this for 30 years.

    • Keonigohan says:

      Is O ok? Something is terribly wrong with him for him to say that. Even Klastri aka Kurt on Kauai aka kauai would agree with me on this one.

      • lespark says:

        Klastri is going to throw one victory party come election night. I hope he’s disappointed. Couldn’t have happened to a worst guy. I hope someday to have him call me ignorant to my face. I hope he doesn’t act like this at work. They’d kick his butt.

        • Keonigohan says:

          Don’t think he has many friends…he’s the Mr. know it all…the world revolves around me…hog the conversation type.

        • lespark says:

          Probably pop open one can Vienna sausage like how he pops his top. Same sound. 12 guys show up he’ll cut them in half. Thanks but no thanks.

  4. noheawilli says:

    As you read the Declaration of Independence today, replace the word “King” with “ruling class” of which our President leads, and it makes sense. Crazy!

  5. WizardOfMoa says:

    Happy 4th of July everyone including the first family and Happy Birthday Malia!

  6. Maipono says:

    “Obama said it’s important that people remember what “a miracle” the U.S. is and how “incredibly lucky we are that people generations ago were willing to take up arms and fight for our freedom.” It’s really too bad Obama didn’t remember this as he went around the world apologizing for America and chastising Americans to be more PC every chance he had.

  7. lespark says:

    Bsdetection, you are not doing your job. When Benghazi was going down where was the Commander in Chief? Two times the lono sends the rain in protest of this pretender.
    The Gods know. Akua sabe.

  8. wrightj says:

    Heartwarming picture.

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