HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

I wanted to wish everyone as wonderful and safe Fourth of July. I love this holiday for how it brings together Americans of different political and cultural values.  We celebrate our common article of faith in not just our Declaration of Independence but our Constitution.  In our current poisonous political environment, this is a day where we can transcend the anger and vitriol for just a day to remember what we have in common as opposed to what we have in conflict.  Perhaps we could even recollect what it was like to have civil discourse over our future and our leaders.  It is not nearly as implausible as it may seem.  After all, we celebrate today the most implausible of events: a small ragtag collection of colonies defeating the most powerful nation on Earth.  So, perhaps on this day we can all strive a bit harder to have a civil and respectful dialogue with those holding opposing views.  Americans love politics and today is a great day to debate the future of our country. However, it is also a day to remember what binds us rather than divides us as a nation.  Ok, enough preaching.  Now for the fun.

We will be having friends over today for hotdogs and hamburgers.  Aidan and I went out and bought enough fireworks to retake Mosul.  There could be rain tonight so we may have to wait for a break in the weather to launch.

The Fourth of July planning committee on the Mall is continuing its theme of “Wow, I cannot believe they are still alive” band selection.  This year will feature the Four Tops and the Beach Boys.    Just for the record, the Four Tops began performing in 1953.  This morning I asked the young lady at the check out counter if she had ever heard of either band.  The Four Tops was a total blank.  The Beach Boys was a historical reference but she had never heard any of their songs.  I have in a state of depression and self-loathing.  The bands will appropriately play amidst our Smithsonian museums to an audience composed of people (like me) who see them as ageless and people (like my kids) who see them as the singing undead.

Have a wonderful day and Happy Independence Day!