May you all enjoy a fun, safe Independence Day

Thanks, Moddy. Hope you crack open a few suds and enjoy the day.

Happy 4th, everyone!

 

Have a great 4th and remember - Mitt loves you

 

Safe and sane everybody.

 

and be sure to hug your dogs tonight. They're going to need comforting.

 

I'll second that with http://theoatmeal.com/comics/4th_of_july_dog.

 

“As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.” — George Washington

 

Hey everybody! We're all gonna get laid!

(Well, hopefully.)

Happy fourth.

 

Sorry for the multi-posting. Internet is worse here than at post; I kept getting an error message that said SportsJournalists.com was offline.

 

Celebrated my first "official" Independence Day at a representational party at the consulate in which I work. Theme: national parks, with jazz music as a backdrop.

Kind of fun to see a mishmash of locals, random Americans and consuls general from other countries celebrating U.S. Independence.

The White House Ale went over well with the guys from Belgium and Germany.

And now I have a three-day weekend in Borneo -- have been wished Happy Birthday by several folks, which is really cool!

 

I'd be curious to hear thoughts or experiences of others regarding what makes people proud to be an American?

Anything?

With all the issues, problems and political divisiveness that causes more issues and problems in this country, I don't think this question is as simple as it seems.

And yet, many still want to be, or to come, here.

I have to say that, despite everything, and although I love to travel and visit other places, I don't know that I'd ever want to live anywhere else. That could be ignorance and pride speaking because I haven't done it, but I believe my U.S. citizenship is one of few things I would never give up, and it's one of the few things I would be willing to die for, if it came to that.

I also still believe in the ability and willingness of this country and its people to do right and to be a force for good in the world, primarily through a basic generosity and compassion. I also believe, however, that we often take some of our best attributes and freedoms for granted, and/or take advantage of them, at times, just because we can, which isn't necessarily right.

These thoughts came to me in the spirit of the July Fourth holiday after watching a History Channel special on the American Revolution and recalling how moved a co-worker -- a maintenance guy in my store -- was when his recently becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen was announced in our daily morning meeting as he happened to walk by pushing his big trash/cleaning cart.

He didn't expect it, but heard someone who had found out about it purposely call it out. And when all of us managers applauded his efforts, he beamed -- seriously beamed -- in appreciation, and said, "That's where I was yesterday," with such humble surprise and obvious pride that it was poignant.

I have to say, I actually suddenly choked up a little bit and appreciated it, myself, too.

 

People who set off their own fireworks in their neighborhoods can get fucked.