Celebrating the Fourth of July

[MineralMan]

The first thing I did when I sat down at my computer this morning was to read the Declaration of Independence. I do that every year on the 4th, just out of habit and to remind myself that separating us from tyranny is Job 1 for the USA. Always.

But, since my wife and I are still unpacking boxes and learning to find our way around our new city, I won't be attending any Independence Day functions this year. We are going to to the home of a friend for a small gathering this afternoon, but that will be more of a memorial gathering for her husband, who died earlier in the year of pancreatic cancer. Another person who will be there has a son in his 30s who has a failed liver and is unlikely to live much longer. Of course, I lost both of my parents at age 96 in January, so there's that, as well.

Even so, I will contemplate the state our our nation today. We almost lost it to the previous administration and the Republicans, who have turned into a quasi-fascist political party of late. It is still at risk. The same day both of my parents died, January 6, marked the failed insurrection of a gaggle of impotent right-wing idiots, who thought they could overthrow a presidential election. They failed miserably, for lack of organization and cohesion, and the attempt lasted only a few hours. Afterwards, Congress re-convened and finished confirming the votes of the Electoral College. The nation survived.

Today, we should think about what happened on January 6, and prepare for future such insurrectionist events. Each of them that might occur needs to be shut down immediately, and the participants prosecuted for their unlawful actions. More importantly, we need to plan for our next election and not fall into a lack of preparation and inaction in the meantime.

2021 has been a mournful year. Mournful for the loss off life due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the loss of loved ones for whatever cause, and for changes that threaten our political way of life. At the same time, we should also celebrate positive changes that have occurred and go on with our lives, in the belief that the future holds a continuing promise. It is up to us to make that promise happen.

[Chainfire]

1. I will celebrate by trying to catch up with my mowing between thunderstorms.

I may pick a few blueberries. This is one of those holidays when I prefer to leave the roads to the alcoholics, so I will stay home. Less than 30% of my neighbors have been vaccinated for C19 so I don't want to sit in the fireworks show stands with them anyway.

I don't get as excited by the Nationalistic demonstrations any more; the holiday reminds me of how many hateful people are working to destroy our Representative Democracy in the name of patriotism. Most of the flag wavers at my local celebrations will be fascist bastards. Our local celebration and fireworks display will be dominated by Trumpettes in full regalia; it will be a red hat event. Trump-Pence signs are still on display in the neighborhood by the people who know who really won the last election.

I will break out the fireworks, and celebrate our nation when DJT is booked. That will be a sign that our Nation is becoming great again. Until then, I will just sulk and act pissy.

[Turbineguy]

2. Stan Freberg

“Stan Freberg Presents the United States of America, Vol. 1: The Early Years”-



Look at that show-off Hancock! Pretty flamboyant signature for an insurance man!"