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Happy 230, America!
Hmmmm ... 230 years. Wow, it's extraordinary as I see it. At 63, I've been around for more than one-quarter of the USA's time-on-earth. I especially love the 4th; I think there is a pretty general spirit of celebration of what happened in July 1776 in Philadelphia. No presents (I hope). Don't pass it on, but I enjoy hot dogs on the 4th as much or more as the Thanksgiving feasts. (I'd add that while some of the "Thanksgiving Story" is a little different than the real thing ... the Philadelphia story definitely is the real thing. What a leap of faith! What a mess those guys got themselves into! (Read David McCullough's 1776—you really must; it's a page turner, and it illustrates what a close-run thing the independence endeavor was.
A lot of us are mad at a lot of others of us for what the U.S. is up to. I strongly urge a one-day truce. Life ain't easy, but we've done remarkably well. And, what a pain to govern one's fellow citizens—and what an amazing array of choices have faced almost all our Presidents.
Rushing off to a July 3 picnic as I write, so I'll have to hold the story about my July 4th, 1973, in Rangoon Burma; me and the CIA team there sharing hot dogs and drinks with the KGB guys ... in the U.S. Ambassador's back yard.
Happy 4th! Do overindulge with the hot dogs, the mustard, the ketchup, the chips, etc.
The photo at the top comes from a little town in Vermont, six miles from me—Pawlet. At the town square resides this small but important display, dressed up in a straightforward Vermont way for the 4th. (Among many other things, I believe VT had the highest per capita KIA rate in the Civil War.)
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So much achieved in such a short period of time! which I think speaks volumes about the energy and passion of the American people.
God bless and enjoy!
Posted by PaulH at July 3, 2006 10:47 AM
Happy Birthday to all my fellow Americans! Like Tom, I find that the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Paul - I'm not sure the energy and passion of the American people is any different from anywhere else - after all we are a nation of immigrants. I think that energy and passion exists in everyone at some level - we are just fortunate enough to have system that allows us put it into play easier than anywhere else. I am reminded of a quote (author unknown to me) that I read some years back. "We don't live in America. America lives in us."
Posted by Walter White at July 3, 2006 11:13 AM
The interesting part is that at 230 we're still adolescents - and just like them we have our periods of selfishness, not understanding the consequences of our actions, and impulsiveness. All in all I'd like to think, that for the most part, our heart is in the right place.
Happy 4th!
Posted by ann michael at July 3, 2006 11:14 AM
God bless all my American friends from the mother country - We may be in our dotage but we still have plenty of passion on the right side of the pond :-)
Posted by Trevor Gay at July 3, 2006 12:19 PM
u make it sound beautiful!
Happy 4th my tomPeter! & do overindulge with the hotdogs, the mustrad, the ketchup, the chips and more importantly the fun of friend's gatherings...
u rock my friend! i luv u alot!
Posted by shohra at July 3, 2006 3:57 PM
Some of you need to stand up for your lovely country. True story below - do you really have a free county?
Has This Country Gone Completely Insane?
by MIKE FERNER
"You can't be in here protesting," said th V.A. security cop, pointing to my Veterans For Peace shirt. "Well, I'm not protesting," I replied. "I'm having a cup of coffee."June 30, 2006--This afternoon, drinking a cup of coffee while sitting in the Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center on Chicago's south side, a Veterans Administration cop walked up to me and said, "OK, you've had your 15 minutes, it's time to go."
"Huh?," I asked intelligently, not quite sure what he was talking about.
"You can't be in here protesting," officer Adkins said, pointing to my Veterans For Peace shirt.
"Well, I'm not protesting, I'm having a cup of coffee," I returned, thinking that logic would convince Adkins to go back to his earlier duties of guarding against serious terrorists.
Flipping his badge open, he said, "No, not with that shirt. You're protesting and you have to go."
Beginning to get his drift, I said firmly, "Not before I finish my coffee."
He insisted that I leave, but still not quite believing my ears, I tried one more approach to reason. "Hey, listen. I'm a veteran. This is a V.A. facility. I'm sitting here not talking to anybody, having a cup of coffee. I'm not protesting and you can't kick me out."
"You'll either go or we'll arrest you," Adkins threatened.
"Well, you'll just have to arrest me," I said, wondering what strange land I was now living in.
You know the rest. Handcuffed, led away to the facility's security office past people with surprised looks on their faces, read my rights, searched, and written up.
The officer who did the formalities, Eric Ousley, was professional in his duties. When I asked him if he was a vet, it turned out he had been a hospital corpsman in the Navy. We exchanged a couple sea stories. He uncuffed me early. And he allowed as to how he would only charge me with disorderly conduct, letting me go on charges of criminal trespass and weapons possession--a pocket knife--which he said would have to be destroyed (something I rather doubt since it was a nifty Swiss Army knife with not only a bottle opener, but a tweezers and a toothpick).
After informing me I could either pay the $275 fine on the citation or appear in court, Ousley escorted me off the premises, warning me if I returned with "that shirt" on, I'd be arrested and booked into jail.
I'm sure I could go back to officers Adkins' and Ousleys' fiefdom with a shirt that said, "Nuke all the hajis," or "Show us your tits," or any number of truly obscene things and no one would care. Just so it's not "that shirt" again.
I have to believe that this whole country has not yet gone insane, just the government.And just for the record? I'm not paying the fine. I'll see Adkins and Ousley and Dubya's Director of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, if he wants to show up, in United States District Court on the appointed date. And if there's a Chicago area attorney who'd like to take the case, I'd really like to sue them -- from Dubya on down. I have to believe that this whole country has not yet gone insane, just the government. This kind of behavior can't be tolerated. It must be challenged.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Ferner served as a Navy corpsman during Vietnam and is obviously a member of Veterans For Peace.
The author was at the Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center because he was participating in the Voices for Creative Nonviolence's 30-day, 320-mile "Walk for Justice," from Springfield to North Chicago, Illinois, to reclaim funding for the common good and away from war.
Posted by gneath at July 3, 2006 6:08 PM
Way to go, Mike.
I love the fourth - or I used to love the fourth when independence day felt like it meant something.
Mike's story is a typical story of what is going on these days -
Isn't that the point of all wars? aren't they all fought for peace?
If Mikes shirt read "Veterans for War" would that have been acceptable?
No protesting in a country born on protest -
something is happening here - what it is aint exactly clear.
Posted by pete at July 3, 2006 7:33 PM
And the USA elected a CIA Chief president - George the 1st - and Russia a KGB chief - Mr. Putin - intelligence rules the geopolitical 21st century?
Happy 4th - it is such a special time - freedom is getting stronger every day.
Posted by Sean at July 3, 2006 8:26 PM
And thank God for people like Tom that travel all over the world to share the passion and energy unique to the people of America.
Posted by Pradeep Henry at July 3, 2006 8:47 PM buy generic viagra uk
A Happy 4th to Team TP and all here !!
have a wonderfull day and God Bless
Posted by /pd at July 4, 2006 8:00 AM
Mike's story is anecdotal and not representative of America at all. Who couldn't come up with an anecdotal story to tell any side of any issue you wished.
california viagraThe fact is that we share in a great experiment. That the people can govern themselves was unheard of in the 18th century. Democracy is hard work. It's messy. There is no straight road to the finish line. The road actually goes backward at times, and there is no finish line.
So, for those recreational complainers who offer no action or participation, no vision of their own, but merely complaints and criticisms for those actually in the game, I feel bad for you. For everyone else who is actively in the game of life and country, happy birthday!
viagra cheap overnightPosted by Jeff at July 4, 2006 9:25 AM
Great post Jeff - very well said. I hope all of team TP had an excellent 4th July.
Posted by Michael from UK at July 5, 2006 4:33 AM
Fantastic BLOG post reminder Tom!
Happy Fourth of July to all! Remember to thank, whether silently or outloud, someone who has served to protect this great land and to preserve the freedom we all enjoy!
Ripple On America!
Steve
Posted by Steve Harper at July 5, 2006 7:44 AM
"For everyone else who is actively in the game of life and country, happy birthday!"--brilliant! The Great Experiment continues--never finished, never perfect, never without contention (thank God).
Posted by tom peters at July 5, 2006 8:03 AM
I am reading 1776 it is a great book. I also just read John Adams biography by McCullough and it gives a different perspective on the Continental Congress, the creation of the Declaration and all of the discussions that led to it. I am inspired to read these books and to realize what it took to create our country.
I am saddened at the way we have twisted our rights to liberty and freedom- illegal wire tapping etc.
I am still idealistic hoping as a nation we can bring forth the spirit of freedom and liberty that was so very present in 1776.
Ilene Fischer
Posted by Ilene Fischer at July 5, 2006 8:22 AM
Wonderful words Ilene. Please stay idealistic. I am always accused of being 'too idealistic.' In my opinion it is impossible to be 'too idealistic' Sure it makes for disappointment when I see things that are ‘less than ideal’ ethically but we must keep above all that crap and beat the drum for idealists – we are a powerful minority. Actually I have just realised as I type this that the word ‘idealists’ is made up of ‘idea’ and ‘lists’ – and spooky that ‘lists’ in my life often generate ‘ideas’!
I guess I am easily pleased - maybe I need to get out more – now where are my pills? :-)
Posted by Trevor Gay at July 5, 2006 9:11 AM
..."actively in the game..." indeed - USA has plenty of gamers per capita & careeraholics & worldwide governance influence to make WILD times flow
Posted by Sean at July 5, 2006 10:47 AM
Sean: A kid who fidgets in school will be in the population that generates the next Bill Gates. Salute that kid--rather than feed 'em Ritalin! "Just say 'No' to passivity." (!!!)
Posted by tom peters at July 5, 2006 10:59 AM