The fireworks are early, lightning flashes and thunder booms on this gloomy morning coffee muses.
Dark clouds rolling, thunder almost constant in the distance. Weather only a seagull could love.
It’s a day of reflection. The day the Declaration of Independence was signed (or not). But it is the date on the document itself.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
What’s happened in the past couple of years is a travesty to the ideals written by our founding fathers.
Who, back then, could have foreseen the rise to power of such a bizarro Shakespearean politician. One who really believes that all the world is a stage, and that he’s the greatest actor in history… playing the part of the leader of the world. Talk about delusions of grandeur.
Two hundred and forty-two years, then we have the president of hate and fear.
Reflect on that for awhile…
- It’s Independence Day, but Americans aren’t feeling so proud
Americans are less proud of their country and the way its democracy works, and they show persistently weak trust in government and many major institutions. Republicans are generally more positive about the country than Democrats, an unsurprising dynamic with President Trump in the White House.
- The fight against Trump is a battle for freedom
Every 75 years or so in our history, Americans have renewed their commitment to freedom.
…we are due for another renewal. Neither fascism nor civil war threatens us, but Americans are united in fear. Much of the country fears the loss of basic freedoms under President Trump: free speech, press and religion, due process and control over their bodies. Trump, meanwhile, foments fears among his followers of crime, gangs, immigrants and civil servants. And Americans of all beliefs fear they are losing the American Dream and its promise of economic mobility.
Gloomy up here today, as well, Gary. And like you, I am not in a celebratory mood. Looking back on what has taken place in the past two years, I can say that it is as bad or worse as many had predicted. You didn’t have to be a genius to see what was going to happen. You just had to be awake and unfortunately, too many of us were sleeping or distracted by shiny objects.Hope we’re awake and alert come November. Have a good 4th, Gary.
Thanks Gary. I have family braving the rain later in the day for burgers and dogs. I’ll try to put on a pleasant persona for the sake of the grandkids anyway. Enjoy your 4th…