Happy Semiquincentennial, ‘Merica – We Survived!
The country marked it’s 250th year in grand style – though it was a Fractured Fourth for some to be sure.
And, despite some setbacks sent courtesy of Ma Nature, a few cases of OverBloviation and Mish-mashed History, we seem to have come out the other side, some in county lockup, some really, really hungover and the blessedly unscathed left to ponder what the next 250 years will bring.
We didn’t expect much. Grab Sarge’s funeral flag, cry at the anthem as usual, watch the fireworks guys paint the sky for a while and then back home to return the flag to its case and remember another Fourth from so many years ago, mum in her dress, Sarge still paratrooper-trim in his white t-shirt, cigar in his mouth, setting off street candles while us kids oohed and ahhed.
It was Mission Accomplished as far as our Fourth went, though we know others weren’t as lucky. A couple of locals ended up barricaded inside their homes as county SWAT massed outside, one setting fire to his abode, others getting into the Joy Juice and embarking on questionable Thunder Runs up and down the 24/680 – engaging the coppers in those frustratingly cyclical arguments that never go anywhere but jail and always seem to end with “I want my lawyer here, NOW!”
We ‘Mericans can be a hard to handle bunch, just ask the Lim… er, British. We know because while we would have settled for a hotdog or two – maybe a cold beer – many of our countrymen were dodging secret service personnel dispatched to warn them of imminent immolation by lightning-strike, or enthusiastically applauding satisfying but completely bogus references to The Almighty and The Constitution.
Are we an ungovernable horde? Different tribes of the deeply unknowing bound by our commitment to Red, White, and Blue attire and love of assault weapons? Are we committed to a future together or a glorified and unattainable image of the past? We wish we knew, it would help us plan for the next centennial or so.
But, for a moment in our 250 years of existence, at least, many of us paused to celebrate what we have built while others chose a more subdued contemplation, assessing our progress as a nation and losing themselves in the reveries of celebrations past.
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Who is happy? Have you recently interviewed your constituency? Liberals and fascists, yellow moon DSAs too, ain’t got no satisfaction.
Your reference to sarge hit home. My father was immensely proud of this country and our past celebrations of its birth is a fond memory I’ll hold forever. Theres a family picture of me in his arms (white tee shirt) holding sparklers and I remember how he talked about what we stood for and how people around the world saw us as a world leader. That perception has changed. We celebrated our fourth at home and quietly compared to what we’ve done in the past. I’m looking forward to getting where we need to go and regaining our standing in the world.
We’re looking forward to a fresh start in November and a chance to celebrate again. We just weren’t feeling it this year.
Fun but subdued. We realize we have some work to do. The kids had fun.
We had a great 4th! Parade in Lamorinda, barbeque on Portola Valley, fireworks in Martinez. Happy 250!
Stayed close to home so the kids could have fun. People just didn’t seem into a full celebration this year.
Look forward to settling this in November. We need a do over.
Happy birthday to us!!! We don’t look a day over 250!!
To many of the commenters above: if your patriotism is contingent on your party having power, it’s not patriotism.
“But it’s Trump!…”. I’d bet my bottom dollar you had the same reactions during the Bush years. People who lived through the Bush years remember that he was held in the same regard. You probably had the same view during the bicentennial with Ford too.
Happy people have patriotism regardless!
Passed on the invitation to attend the Ten Plagues of Egypt Event in Washington and glad we celebrated with a few less than 800 gabillion fireworks and some good food closer to home. Had the neighbors over and banged on a few pots at the appropriate time. Two Fitty is a good start and we look forward to getting back on track again soon.
We had fun.
Happy birthday to us! We’ll get back on track soon.
I love my country and I look forward to saying I’m proud of everything we’ve done and are doing to retain our standing in the world. But we have slipped recently and to say otherwise is disingenuous.
It was very quiet for us. Even the kids weren’t into it this year. We have a lot of work ahead of us I think.