Tuesday, July 04, 2023
Liberty on the 4th
Happy Independence Day!
It's a weird and wonderful holiday, isn't it? I sometimes get a little twisted around about what we say and how we act.
I mean... this is a holiday rooted in freedom from the oppressive British monarchy, yet Americans so often seem absolutely in thrall to the British monarchy no matter how stupid and insignificant they become. Most recently, King Charles was coronated or whatever, having really accomplished less than nothing in his life-- he is mostly known for a failed marriage. He is King because of who his parents were. That's it, full stop. Yet there were people around here acting like it mattered for some reason.
And yet, we really do have a lot to actually celebrate. Actual independence, for one-- the USA has (with the assistance of two enormous ocean borders) remained free from the sway of foreign powers. When we mess up, we do it ourselves-- and when we accomplish great things, it is usually our own victories, too.
That's something-- something that really matters.
