Safety Note, regardless of your politics:

Please, please leave Fido and Rover securely at home. The 4th of July is The Worst Day of the year for your family's Best Friends. The shotgun brigade at the Danville parade and the San Ramon fireworks are just not good places for Spot and Bowser.

Not a year goes by without seeing a panicked hound slipping its collar and taking off for parts unknown. The "lucky" ones make it to an uncertain, terrifying fate at a shelter -- others end up under the wheels. Every year. Some benighted shelters pre-kill for space, knowing they'll be deluged with post-4th strays.

Exercise your canine friends early, and leave them at home, preferably with some music on to dull the noise.

Thanks!

So I guess this says that if you don't really love your country, or the ideals of liberty and equality that this country is based on, you are likely a Democrat. As Democrat, it seems the poster has decided people should not have a democratic right to choose to have or not have parades, or to attend or not. They should ban any activity not in line with Democrats thinking. In other words, being a Democrat is decidedly undemocratic.

Let me get this straight:4th of July parades are not reflective of Democrat principles? So, Democrats do not believe in freedom, liberty, patriotism, and love of country?

You bet Ian -- and if you know ANYthing about Democrats, you can be sure that we are always unanimous in our thinking. Yup -- just a very numerous mind-meld, we are. I'm certain the parade will be deserted.

Have a Happy 4th.

Dear American,
Yes. That is correct. Read the article and/or the Harvard Study.

As a sidebar...please pay attention as to what the current Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats are doing.

They are completely disregarding and attempting to re-write the US Constitution. They do NOT believe in freedom for individuals as conservatives do. Democrats believe in collectivism vs. individualism. On the subject of inalienable rights...Democrats also do not believe in ...

- Life (e.g. they are for abortion and Obamacare Death Panels)
- Liberty (as stated above...and they are for incessant regulations of nearly EVERY activity of daily living)
- Pursuit of Happiness (e.g. Democrats want the continual eroding and usurping of private property...and capital)

The Democrats of today are so far to the left. Note that the SEIU has come out of the closet by openly partnering with the American Communist Party. The American Communist Party platform is 100 percent consistent with Obama's and the Congressional Democrats policies.

I would not be surprised in the least if July 4th celebrations are outlawed in the future...just like the Democrats are trying very hard to eliminate any reference to God.

Izzat you Ricky?

C'mon, 'fess up.

Dear Patriots and various others,

The Professor Harold Hill All-Kazoo Memorial Orchestra and Marching Polka Band loves parades. This year on April 1, we pre-recorded our Beer Barrel Polka as our national anthem to be played along the Fourth of July Parade route on Railroad Avenue.

It you happen to have a pith helmut, a tie-dye shirt, a pink and gray kilt, spats and pink KEDS, we want you to join in during our march this Monday. We have an upside down pink plastic flamingo with a kazoo glued in its rear-end just for you. You will be marching your flamingo down Railroad with the USAmerican Peace flags streaming from its upturned legs.

How inviting is that?

The ROFL in Ralph N. Shirlet

Speaking just for myself, I can say that the 4th didn't turn me either way politically, but as a kid it did turn me into a rather dangerous little pyromaniac. A miracle really that none of our neighbor's houses burned down.
Perhaps this article is a late April Fool's day prank?

Some fools last all year long.

Is this for real? Come on!

The 4th of July parades are suppose to celebrate our independence, so yes, it is a pro-American event. However, the Danville parade does not represent a traditional Independence Day parade because it has more marketing than entertainment, but it is the best we have without driving too far.

The only problem I have is that some parents are not good role models for their kids and represent Danville has a snobby rich community. Parents need to follow the rules starting with putting chairs out on the 3rd. Watch your kids before, during, and after the parade. Don’t let them run out into the street or selfishly grab at all of the freebies and samples. Respect one another and set a good example. Remember how fortunate we are and how many people lost their lives to give us the freedom we enjoy today.

Happy Independence Day!

Be thankful that you live in a free country where:
1) You are free to express your own beliefs - stupid though they may be!
2) Mindlessly follow false idols - right off the cliff.
3) You are free to attend or not attend 4th of July parades

One thing I've noticed about those of the liberal minded persuasion - if they don't like something they don't want you to like it either!

Great idea, comrade. We should all be working in the salt mines today!

Consider the source of the study Haavaard. Happy Independence Day everyone and enjoy the parade. To paraphrase another writer, "There are rwo kinds of people. Those who are in the parade and those who are watching it."

two

As a descendant of Revolutionary war soldiers, including one who is still MIA, I am saddened by the many of the comments! There were no conservatives or liberals fighting and dying for their countries, only Americans, wanting their freedom from tyranny.

This day is not about politics, it is about the birthday of our wonderful country. The majority of voters in Danville are Democrats, so I guess the crowd there today must have been from out of town!

Please, "!"......go back to your own community and post there. Stop trying to post your hate in Danville.

Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain and most fools do.

- Ben Franklin

Ban 4th of July Parades? Is freedom of speech something that Democrats no longer support? If so, I will be voting Republican in the next election.

I have not missed one Fourth of July parade in Danville since 1985! This parade is one of the things that make me proud to be a resident of such a wonderful community! Today I was thrilled to see young adults (who I have seen attending the events since they were in elementary school), stand as the flag passed by, salute our military vets as well as Blue Star Moms, etc. I couldn't help note the teary eyes as they saw a Blue Star Mom walk beside a young man who must have been her military son. I could go on and on, but GOD BLESS AMERICA, and THANK YOU, DANVILLE!

I liked the new traffic route this year. Thanks for making it a little easier for us Danville Police!

Wake up America---a large number of the newly arrived hate this country and wish to turn it into a northern cesspool like Mexico.

Please collins - take your SOCIALIST loving ideas and push them on someone else. "!" is completely correct as you Dems want the middle/upper hardworking classes to pay for those who want to sit on their bums and get hand outs. This country was built on blood, sweat and tears of hard working Americans, not on the fat lazy bums of those who think they should be handed everything.

Happy Birthday, America!

Ashley, I did not mention that I am a socialist, which I am not. I am offended by your comments! I did not say I was democrat, either. However, I do think that the extremely wealthy, who make up a small
percentage of Americans, should at least pay their share. I have worked hard all my life, as have all of my family. I am a member of the middle class. Members of my family have fought and died in all wars in which this country fought.
So, as my conservative republican father is fond of saying, "Put that in your pipe and smoke it"!
Stop making hateful assumptions!
May God Bless the USA!

collins - referring to your father and not yourself as the conservative republican you obviously are a democrat whether stated or not, and when most of us go back far enough we can also say we have had family that have fought and died in many wars. So, put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Not that it lacks competition, but this thread is one of the most inane I've ever seen on this comment board. It's a truly remarkable achievement.

We're Number One!

i am a strong democrat, a staunch McNerney/SEIUsupporter (that also walks side-by-by side in 100% agreement with the American Communist Party). These 4th of July parades need to fade away quickly from American tradition. This is one of the "changes" i voted straight democrat ticket for...especially Obama. The other change i am in agreement with the democrat party is to eliminate God and Christianity from it former American base. Obama is doing a good job eliminating this reference.

Back to these hokey parades, they only serve to stir up US nationalism, when we should stop and think how destructive America has been. i hope to see these parades being overtaken by other countries' traditions and religions. i agree with Obama's Rev. Wright. GD America. Long live our Democrat Party.

Dear !: while no one would dispute your status as a jackass, your credentials as a Democrat are severely in doubt. It's only a symbol, after all.

Well said, Cardinal.....Thank you!

And may I add that there are more than two political parties in this great country of ours.

Thanks to the parade organizers and participants as, regardless of your political persuasions, you made my day a very Happy 4th!

These alarmist headlines remind me why I listen to 560 AM, (albeit occasionally), for the sheer entertainment of the illogical reasoning and rabid paranoia...

My interpretation of the Haaaarvard article is that it merely suggests Democratic candidates may be wasting their time by putting in an appearance, at 4th of July parades due to their conservative bias, and I noticed nothing saying anyone should consider banning the parades.

Here is an extract from the article:
------
The three key findings of those attending July 4th celebrations:

When done before the age of 18, it increases the likelihood of a youth identifying as a Republican by at least 2 percent.
It raises the likelihood that parade watchers will vote for a Republican candidate by 4 percent.
It boosts the likelihood a reveler will vote by about 1 percent and increases the chances they'll make a political contribution by 3 percent.
-------

God Bless America. "On no he added God to the mix." We all have opinions, beliefs and points of view. I am proud to be an American and very lucky to be born and live in America. Bashing Republicans or Democrats etc. does nothing as most who do the bashing do nothing to help or change anything. Enjoy your freedom, live your life and be kind to your neighbors. Happy America, America!

Is this guy for real????

I'm so tired of those cranky Democratic liberals and their "causes"....I believe this -- Liberals want everyone to have their own opinions, as long as it agrees with theirs!

Who in their right mind would equate 4th of July parades to either political party? We suffer these fools lightly.

This "resident of another community" ought to go check-out Africa, the Middle East or Mexico then weigh back in as to why we celebrate our independence.

Is Harvard next going to study May Day parades and give us their take on those too, or would that be that be too much to expect from a non-partisan university?

For anyone who doesn't know what May Day is:

May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday. Since the end of the nineteenth century May Day has also become synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, a day of political demonstrations and celebrations organised by communists, anarchists, socialists, unionists, and other groups.

Harvard clean up under your horse!