Some random thoughts and links on what it’s all about – this noble experiment that is American Democracy:

On this day…

from Blue Girl, Red State

We celebrate this day in a variety of ways.

John Adams:

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142.

To paraphrase Michael Stern, conductor of the Kansas City Symphony, at the orchestra’s Celebration at the Station concert on Memorial Day 2007 – “You have to ask yourself how a piece written by a Russian composer about a conflict with the French [1812 Overture] becomes associated with American holidays. I have three words for you. Loud, fast, and cannons.”

Our cartoonist, Brett Penrose, will be participating in a 5k run (I’ll get photos!) this morning as part of the day’s festivities in downtown Warrensburg.

We plan on grilling turkey brats and making other fixin’s later in the day. Tomorrow (weather permitting) we drive out to Powell Gardens for the “Booms and Blooms” concert and perform, you guessed it, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture among other works.  

Barack Obama on patriotism:

…That’s why, for me, patriotism is always more than just loyalty to a place on a map or a certain kind of people.  Instead, it’s also loyalty to America’s ideals – ideals for which anyone can sacrifice, or defend, or give their last full measure of devotion.  I believe it is this loyalty that allows a country teeming with different races and ethnicities, religions and customs, to come together as one.  It is the application of these ideals that separates us from Zimbabwe, where the opposition party and their supporters have been silently hunted, tortured or killed; it separates us from Burma, where tens of thousands continue to struggle for basic food and shelter in the wake of a monstrous storm because a military junta fears opening up the country to outsiders; or Iraq, where despite the heroic efforts of our military – men and women like Vince, and the courage of many ordinary Iraqis, even limited cooperation between various factions remains far too elusive.

I believe those who attack America’s flaws without acknowledging the singular greatness of our ideals, and their proven capacity to inspire a better world, do not truly understand America. [applause]

Of course, precisely because America isn’t perfect, precisely because our ideals constantly demand more from us, patriotism can never be defined as loyalty to any particular leader or government or policy.  As ,[applause] as Mark Twain, that greatest of American satirists and proud son of Missouri, once wrote, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” [cheers][applause] Now, we may hope that our leaders and our government stand up for our ideals, stand up for what’s right, and there are many times in our history when that’s occurred.  But when our laws, when our leaders or our government are out of alignment with those ideals, then the dissent of ordinary Americans may prove to be one of the truest expression of patriotism. [cheers][applause]

The young preacher from Georgia, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led a movement to help America confront our tragic history of racial injustice and live up to the meaning of our creed – he was a patriot.  The young soldier who first spoke about the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib – he is a patriot. [cheers][applause]  Recognizing a wrong being committed in this country’s name; insisting that we deliver on the promise of our Constitution – these are the acts of patriots, [applause] men and women who are defending that which is best in America.  And we should never forget that – especially when we disagree with them; especially when they make us uncomfortable with their words. That’s part of the American tradition. That’s part of why we are proud to be Americans…

As a fan of science fiction films, I was long ago struck by a line from one of my favorites.

Sam Francisco in Alien Nation (1988):

…You humans are very curious to us. You invite us to live among you in an atmosphere of equality that we’ve never known before. You give us ownership of our own lives for the first time and you ask no more of us than you do of yourselves. I hope you understand how special your world is, how unique a people you humans are. Which is why it is all the more painful and confusing to us that so few of you seem capable of living up to the ideals you set for yourselves…

For me the 4th of July holiday is a favorite – it reminds me so very vividly of those ideals. And makes me want to achieve them even more.