Independence Day, a Small Social Experiment and Dishonoring the Day
Posted on July 4, 2008
Today is Independence Day here in the United States. It’s the 232nd anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence which marked the beginning of our revolution against Great Britain.
To the Americans out there, I say “Enjoy your Independence Day.”
Which brings me to ’round to my small social experiment…
Most Americans have stripped the honor and glory from our Day of Independence by referring to the day as “July 4th” or, even worse in my eyes, “the 4th.” It’s something that bothers the ever-living crap out of me. It’s also something that I’ve been waging a small and ever-losing war against.
For the last few days I’ve said “Enjoy your Independence Day” during any sort of human interaction.
Almost every time I get the same confused look, the same “What?” and the same half-hearted, reflexive “Oh. Happy Fourth.”
It’s downright depressing.
North Carolina’s infamous Senator Jesse Helms (R) died this morning. Helms was an extremely biased man. He hated blacks, Hispanics and Asians, along with gays and lesbians.
I had no respect for Helms and even less respect for those voters that marked the box next to his name for 5 terms simply because “You always knew where he stood”.
Though I will not speak ill of him on the day of his death, he has surely dishonored this day, this anniversary of American Independence, with his death.
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3 Responses to “Independence Day, a Small Social Experiment and Dishonoring the Day”
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Thomas, I’m a big fan of bringing Independence Day back into the vernacular. Call it a strike of two (so far).
As for Helms, who was no fan of women in general, either, let me just say that I disagree with you on one small point:
Taking the Big Dirt Nap was the best thing the man has ever done for this republic, and somehow Independence Day seems rather appropriate in that light.
Thanks for the comment, Lou.
A strike of two, it is.
As for Helms…I agree. But I wanted to give him a day to think about the horrible human being he was before I skewered him and his backwards, wrong-headed biases.
…and while we’re at it, let’s also include the proper name for our type of government.
This is most certainly not a Democracy, but rather a Republic, wherein the rights of the minority are not subject to the tyranny or will of the majority.