Rate the 4th of July on a Scale of 1 to 10
I think Wu is actually Blue
Wu’s a valued cinephile, but remind me to look elsewhere when I want to learn about history.
in these parts fireworks usually lead to fires (even the official displays sometimes) and last year the legislature gave in to persistent lobbying and legalized them so no, not looking forward to it. we’ve got plenty of flag-waving year round here, thanks. it’s 110 degrees out there and dry as a tinderbox 3/10
That’s because you never participated in a fireworks war from a boat. Roman Candles kill, son.
Hahaha you guys shoot roman candles at each-other? That’s hardcore. We just use Bottle Rockets and Firecrackers. Also, doing it from a boat sounds awesome.
oh. i thought he was making a weird reference to pearl harbor or something.
“Wu’s a valued cinephile, but remind me to look elsewhere when I want to learn about history.”
Alright…
Chile in 1973, Iran in 1950, The institution and funding of the Muhajideen/Taliban in Afghanistan until 2001, El Salvador in 1980, South Vietnam…
Or Nicaragua, for example:
One of the primary goals of the United States was to undermine Nicaragua’s successful independent development and democratic reforms, fearing that the “threat of a good example” would become an “exporter of revolution”, by demonstration.
Each one of those, which is but a few examples just from the post-war era, undermines the idea that we push for self-determinist choice in government, despite it being the founding principle in which we set up our own right to govern.
Hell, look at the handling of the situations in Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Sudan just in the last few years and you’ll see this government (and its people) have no true intention of actually spreading their founding values to any other nation on earth. Or in other words…
“The U.S. is a friend to every established socialist democracy in the world. What we suck at is choosing the right side in the heat of the moment.”
Oh, DFFOO I did think of one 4th of July thing I’ll participate in : I will roam outside for a minute to burn those “snake” things that are sold with fireworks, but am generally chased back inside when my sister starts throwing those popping things at me.
Robert : Why oh why did you have to break out the Six Flags guy!!
^ Oooh I only discovered those snake things last year! They’re awesome!!
But, I’m with House – Loving the 4th of July doesn’t mean I love the less-than-appealing aspects of America. But I really, really love the idea of America, and American culture and American art. And, in some weird way, I even love all the things that make America bad, because I think it’s cool that all these things exist, and that America is what it is.
I think it’s possible to be patriotic without being jingoist. I love other places, too, but I really like living in America.
Plus, I really love ridiculous American flag products. And I really love the whole excess that is the 4th of July.
I don’t know, I’m trying to put together why I love the 4th of July so much, but all I can seem to do is list things about America that I love. But there’s something more that I’m missing… I’ll keep you guys updated!
A man has a right to face his accusers. That’s the American way! Who said? The man said!! From Washington through to Jefferson, from Lincoln and F.D.R. right up through today – the Democratic Way of Life! That’s what the man said! Nowadays it doesn’t export too well… But you know… and I know… that our best secret weapon is D-E-M-O-C-R-A-C-Y. Let’s never forget it, ladies and gentlemen.
Good points DFFOO. The genius of the United States not that it’s perfect or always right, but that it was established upon a series of philosophically resonant ideals that were codified and still stand. Often these ideals are seen in its breech. Slavery was a shameful blot of our history and an utter defiance of our ideals (even by some of the Founders). Possibly because of our youth, America has shown the ability to reinvent itself – so slavery gives way to The Civil War. Jim Crow gives way to the Civil Rights Movement and eventually an African-American President. The cycle continues with the soon to be ‘new normal" of gay marriage. Not that backwards steps aren’t evident as we see in our current struggle against corporate greed and income disparity. Thing is those ideals are still there even when we’re not practicing them because our constitutional democracy is amazingly resilient and part of our DNA.
Anyway, love the Fourth of July, flags, fireworks and all the corny stuff. Hope the citizens of every country can feel the same pride that most Americans feel in ours.
“Not that backwards steps aren’t evident as we see in our current struggle against corporate greed and income disparity.”
When has that not been a ‘current struggle’, by the way?
>>When has that not been a ‘current struggle’, by the way?<<
Progress had been made in this area as well, most notably, thanks to FDR’s New Deal. Though it wasn’t a success, even Johnson’s War on Poverty showed that it was a national priority. It’s true that these are not new issues, but what is new is the willingness of Wall Street and certain segments of the political class to embrace a widespread economic crisis over reasonable regulations and revenue generators. Bill Maher recently made a very good point that these Occupy folks need to stop camping and start getting involved in the political process so that can be a real counterweight to the Tea Party.
“…what is new is the willingness of Wall Street and certain segments of the political class to embrace a widespread economic crisis rather over reasonable regulations and revenue generators.”
I must have missed the reasonable regulations added in between the repeal of Glass-Steagal, the addition of incomprehensibly complex housing deregulations that allowed the crisis to happen, the unregulated loans handed out to banks and the total lack of reform thereafter…
I think we’re agreeing here. I’m saying deregulation is a major cause of our current crisis and if the financial class had any interest in the well being of their fellow citizens they wouldn’t be fighting tooth and nail against these regulations.
^ But none of that is relevant to the enjoyment of the Fourth of July! :D
Hey, I was happy to talk about mosquitos at the beginning of the thread, but this is where it went so I followed. I’m flexible.
Is it somewhat relevant to the Fourth of July, because the independence sought then is once again being sought now.
The people are not represented by the government, special interests are. Freedom of religion or lack of religion is perverted by ultra-right wingers who want to force their religious beliefs on the entire nation.
There are so many things wrong with this nation — even though our form or government, the way this democracy should be run, is the best out there, it has been ever eroding and is currently a farce.
What this nation was built on is not what the nation is about any more. All Men Are Created Equal and Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness as been are not any longer words to live by, but used as punch.
The nation was conceived as a union, but conservatives are union breakers and conveniently forget what people came to America for and why the war was even fought.
We are no longer a nation represented by the Red, White and Blue, but a nation divided by Blue states and Red States.
The 4th of July means nothing any more but drinking alcohol, overeating, bright, distracting lights and loud noises…
Oh, so, gees, that’s exactly what America is now, drunk, fat, loud people, who are easily distracted, oh, shit….
and the last 22 seconds of this clip is what it’s like too often on this site
By the way… Happy Flag Day everyone!
n/m
…..It’s coming!!! :D:D:D
whatever
lol Odi!
Anyway, what are everyone’s plans? I’m gonna watch Kwaidan tonight, then probably watch something else in the morning, then go up to my parents’ house and go to the pool with my little sister, and then go to Decatur with a friend to watch fireworks! I have a ridiculous American flag tank top that I’m gonna be wearing all day (with jean shorts!!), so sorry Bijoux! :P
REST. :)
The plan is to grill some burgers and watch a double feature of Nashville and Yankee Doodle Dandy with some friends.
i’ve been saving this one
^
I just found this on the same site. Is Slate Magazine some sort of more convincing version of The Onion? I hope so.
Robert W Peabody III