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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260704T130000
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UID:756-1783170000-1783177200@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:America at 250. Is the Dream of Life\, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Over?
DESCRIPTION:The United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday on this very day. This is the day that the Declaration of Independence was drafted by the founding fathers in 1776. \n\n\n\nEven the biggest critic has to agree that America has had an extraordinary two and a half centuries. Progressing from a backwater\, primarily agricultural outpost of the British Empire\, to an industrial and military giant. \n\n\n\nThe nation’s leaders have sold the notion of ‘Life\, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ to millions of immigrants who have flocked there from places as far afield as Ireland and Russia throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. \n\n\n\nThe great 1849 gold rush saw a vast expansion westwards and many Native Americans lost their lands and their culture during the relentless profiteering of this era. \n\n\n\nAmerica twice came to Europe’s aid during both World Wars. Uncle Sam then became Europe’s protector during the Cold War. \n\n\n\nSince then the nation has become the world’s principal economic and military superpower. It has dominated the global geopolitical scene being the principal funder of the World Bank\, the UN\, NATO and many other NGOs. \n\n\n\nAmerican popular culture has also been dominant through the media of music\, films and television. Then we have the F.A.N.G.S. which have hegemony of the internet\, all listed on NASDAQ and developed from start-ups in Silicon Valley \n\n\n\nHowever\, recently the American Dream and the perception of ‘Land of the Free’ has sunk to new depths of despair. The re-election of Donald J. Trump as president\, as well as the increasing multipolar political sabre-rattling has seen America lose a lot of respect. \n\n\n\nThis month we will debate this issue. So please join us and all’s we ask is that you are respectful of other people’s views\, whilst refraining from abusive language. \n\n\n\n\nSIGN UP AT MEETUP
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/america-at-250-is-the-dream-of-life-liberty-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness-over/
LOCATION:Forest Recreational Ground Cafe\, The Homemade Cafe\, Nottingham\, NG7 6QH\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/06/stars-and-bars.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260815T130000
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DTSTAMP:20260720T180218Z
CREATED:20260625T155708Z
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UID:809-1786798800-1786806000@www.freethinkers.org.uk
SUMMARY:Sebastian Moore - SDP Candidate in Gorton & Denton By-election
DESCRIPTION:‘The Crisis is Coming. The Only Solution is Nationbuilding.’ \n\n\n\nAcross the political spectrum\, there is broad agreement that Britain is in trouble. The NHS is barely functioning. Small boat crossings remain high. Businesses are struggling with rising costs. Theft and petty crime has become commonplace. Over a million young people aren’t in work or education\, and key institutions appear incapable of performing their purpose. \n\n\n\nIs this a series of individual policy issues or is there something more going on? \n\n\n\nBeneath the headlines\, lies a deeper issue: the gradual erosion of the nation itself. As our shared identity weakens\, politics becomes more divisive. Compromise is replaced by moral condemnation\, and fellow citizens begin to be viewed as enemies rather than neighbours. Common institutions lose credibility\, separate communities arise\, and governments become more inclined to use censorship and force over consent. \n\n\n\nIf Britain is to recover\, addressing individual policy failures will not be enough. But how do we find a shared sense of purpose that would allow us to restore the social bonds and political culture that make a functioning democracy possible? \n\n\n\nSebastian Moore argues that the challenge facing Britain is not just one of economics or culture\, but of nationhood. To navigate the coming crisis\, we must reinvent the nation.
URL:https://www.freethinkers.org.uk/event/sebastian-moore-sdp-candidate-in-gorton-denton-by-election/
LOCATION:The Hop Merchant\, Nottingham\, 64-68 Upper Parliament Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 2AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://static.freethinkers.org.uk/uploads/2026/06/Seb-Moore.jpg
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