Murica Day 2023

Just because.

 

I have always been somewhat confused as to why we deem our country to have been born on the day when we unilaterally and wishfully decreed our freedom rather than on the day when that freedom was really and truly secured, i.e. the day the British surrendered at Yorktown several years later. Seems to minimize the war and those who died in it.

 

Cue the “flag etiquette” posters everywhere. Because this of no longer a fun holiday celebrating the start of a country with cute parades, children waving small American flags, people adorned in red, white and blue attire, grilling hot dogs and burgers, and then showing our love for our country by setting off small(ish) explosions. No. We’re now in a church service.

I’m expected to rise, be silent and remove my hat when the flag goes by during a parade. Says who? I’m not in the military nor was I ever. And it’s the Fourth of July parade. If I follow that, I’ll stand there for however long the parade goes, in silence, with my hand over my heart while my scalp burns.

 

It’s just a clean maker to celebrate. Yorktown was the last battle, but it wasn’t until the signing of the Treaty of Paris that codified everything two years later. So arguably that is the moment on Sept. 3 we should be celebrating.

But, the Declaration is a perfect symbol of us becoming a country and when we saw ourselves as independent, so we go with that. But that itself wasn’t ratified until Aug. 2. Instead we go with the adoption date.

Just go with it.

 

The Fourth holiday is another typical opportunity to be selfish.
My guilty pleasures so far:
1) watching NASCARs hydroplane into a pile of tires.
2) checking periodically to see if a Russian hockey player suckered an NHL franchise.
3) Checking out Ona Zee's FB page and her latest real estate listings.

 

As simple as I can make it ... I don't need anyone telling me I'm not being patriotic enough, or I'm being too patriotic, or I'm being just the right level of patriotic.

Regardless of the opinion, I don't need it.

 

I wish more held that opinion.

The “right” level is in the eye of the beholder. If people don’t match a certain idea, leave them the fuck be.

Also, if a person’s right level is flag waving and generally being a douche, just don’t do it in my face.

 

Honestly, “fight for the rights of every man,” JFK and MLK.

That song is too woke for 30% of our population.

 

It’s July. Easter and Halloween need a midpoint.

 

I know there are older cultures around the world, but the U.S. is actually one of the oldest countries now in terms of continuous, unconquered rule under the same governmental system. Even if we have our faults, that's something worth celebrating.