HAPPY JULY 4TH, AS AMERICA CELEBRATES ITS 250TH BIRTHDAY

THERE will be all kinds of celebrations, for the nation that started as 13 different colonies, with slightly different populations and religious traditions, laws, etc. It grew to become a world power, the richest on earth, the freest of the great powers, where few starve, and a large proportion of the population lives comfortably. This weekend, everywhere celebrations, and on July 5, America plays Belgium in the World Cup. In another country the question of freedom may be on trial also this July 4 and 5. In Germany, it's largest political party according to polls, the Alternative for Germany party, will hold a convention in Erfurt. An NGO, allegedly funded by George Soros, may be sponsoring thousands of protestors to travel to the town of about 200,000 to disrupt the proceedings. The major government parties, CDU/CSU and SPD, moderate conservatives and mild social democrats keep losing voters as they led Germany into Green policies that killed much of its industry, and are now seeking to expand the military to provide jobs, while continuing the welfare state for millions of immigrants, many of whose children know little German. Will some 70,000 Soros type protestors succeed in disrupting the AfD convention on July 4-5? Or will freedom of speech and assembly be allowed for a political party the "respectables' dislike. The AfD is like the Trump party of Germany. No wonder the Soros crowd hates it. I hope we, and the Germans can celebrate this July 4 and July 5.       Hugh Murray