Red, White and Blues
I awoke this morning and did what I do every 4th of July: I sprang out of bed and threw my hands in the air (and waved 'em like I just didn't care) in celebration of America's hard-fought independence from the stifling and oppressive imperialist monarchy of the hateful British Empire and that limey bastard, King George III!!! Feh!
That or I got up, showered and took a dump. Yup, I think it was the latter.
I don't like the 4th of July. I don't enjoy barbeques (what vegan does?) and fireworks do not excite me. In fact, I hate the idea of all those dogs and cats (and kids... let's not forget the kids) who are scared shootless by all that frickin' noise the entire week before, the night of and several days afterward as people continue to blow stuff up for fun. Nearly every year on and around the 4th, we housesit for friends and watch the sweetest dog in the world. Abby (the dog) is so freaked out by fireworks that it's all we can do to get her to go outside for 5 seconds to pee during the day, and we sometimes have to dose her with Benadryl to get her to stop trembling. Is all this noise really necessary? The rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air happened during a war. People were being killed. Do we really want/need to keep that memory alive? Grrr.....
I will never be mistaken for a patriot. Usually, the only time red, white and blue come together for me is when I wash my clothes (I stridentally refuse to racially segregate my laundry). I think the whole idea of patriotism is a farce (have I already ranted about this in here someplace?). In my opinion, the only people who have a right to go on and on about their Americanism and how much they love their country blahblahblah are those who actually chose to be here. If you're foreign-born and have become an American citizen by choice, I'm all for hearing about your love for this country. If you happened to have been born here (like me), please fold up your flag and shush. Really, it's enough already. My parents conceived me in Brooklyn, hung around for the next nine months and on August 24, 1968, whether I liked it or not, I became an American citizen. That's just what happened. I had no say in the matter.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love living here. I haven't been to any other countries (except Canada, but that doesn't count. Any country I can get to by going through a toll booth doesn't count. I need to cross an ocean or something to get that feeling of actually going somewhere. To me, Canada seems like reaaaaaaaaally far upstate New York) and I imagine most of 'em are nice, but I'd prob'ly choose to live in the U.S. anyway. However, I just don't have this feeling of patriotic connection, and I don't dig nationalism. I always remember what my freshman sociology professor said, that when you create an in-group, you automatically create an out-group. Our current government has done/is doing enough to isolate us from the rest of the world; I don't wanna add to it.
But to be hypocritical for a moment, even though I didn't choose to be born on this planet (or maybe I did?), I do consider myself a citizen of the Earth and I feel that borders only exist on maps. If we all took a moment to realize that what we really are is one big family living on one small planet, rather than hundreds of groups separated by imaginary lines and fear-based ideologies, we might actually achieve the peace that so many of us talk about wanting.
Oh, and one more thing. I live in a country where, if I choose to, I could own and operate a grotesque, obnoxious, hugely wasteful eyesore of an automobile named for a slang term for oral sex. Is it any wonder there are so many people around the world right now who just don't like us?
Happy EveryDay, fellow citizens of Earth!
That or I got up, showered and took a dump. Yup, I think it was the latter.
I don't like the 4th of July. I don't enjoy barbeques (what vegan does?) and fireworks do not excite me. In fact, I hate the idea of all those dogs and cats (and kids... let's not forget the kids) who are scared shootless by all that frickin' noise the entire week before, the night of and several days afterward as people continue to blow stuff up for fun. Nearly every year on and around the 4th, we housesit for friends and watch the sweetest dog in the world. Abby (the dog) is so freaked out by fireworks that it's all we can do to get her to go outside for 5 seconds to pee during the day, and we sometimes have to dose her with Benadryl to get her to stop trembling. Is all this noise really necessary? The rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air happened during a war. People were being killed. Do we really want/need to keep that memory alive? Grrr.....
I will never be mistaken for a patriot. Usually, the only time red, white and blue come together for me is when I wash my clothes (I stridentally refuse to racially segregate my laundry). I think the whole idea of patriotism is a farce (have I already ranted about this in here someplace?). In my opinion, the only people who have a right to go on and on about their Americanism and how much they love their country blahblahblah are those who actually chose to be here. If you're foreign-born and have become an American citizen by choice, I'm all for hearing about your love for this country. If you happened to have been born here (like me), please fold up your flag and shush. Really, it's enough already. My parents conceived me in Brooklyn, hung around for the next nine months and on August 24, 1968, whether I liked it or not, I became an American citizen. That's just what happened. I had no say in the matter.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love living here. I haven't been to any other countries (except Canada, but that doesn't count. Any country I can get to by going through a toll booth doesn't count. I need to cross an ocean or something to get that feeling of actually going somewhere. To me, Canada seems like reaaaaaaaaally far upstate New York) and I imagine most of 'em are nice, but I'd prob'ly choose to live in the U.S. anyway. However, I just don't have this feeling of patriotic connection, and I don't dig nationalism. I always remember what my freshman sociology professor said, that when you create an in-group, you automatically create an out-group. Our current government has done/is doing enough to isolate us from the rest of the world; I don't wanna add to it.
But to be hypocritical for a moment, even though I didn't choose to be born on this planet (or maybe I did?), I do consider myself a citizen of the Earth and I feel that borders only exist on maps. If we all took a moment to realize that what we really are is one big family living on one small planet, rather than hundreds of groups separated by imaginary lines and fear-based ideologies, we might actually achieve the peace that so many of us talk about wanting.
Oh, and one more thing. I live in a country where, if I choose to, I could own and operate a grotesque, obnoxious, hugely wasteful eyesore of an automobile named for a slang term for oral sex. Is it any wonder there are so many people around the world right now who just don't like us?
Happy EveryDay, fellow citizens of Earth!
posted by Keith at 11:57 PM
6 Comments:
You do realize that, in our friendship, I'm the grumpy prick and you're the affable goofball, right?
http://www.progressive.org/media_mpzinn070106
Great Zinn article on nationalism. It goes well with your entry today (yesterday).
I celebrate the 4th for what it really is: the anniversary of the signing of The Declaration of Independence. I have a great desire to go to Monticello on some future July 4.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men [sic], deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Amen, Brother Jefferson (I say in a circular motion, as the man is rolling in his grave so violently these days, Virginia ground is moving.)
Exactly, Kristie. Never forget the principles upon which this country was founded, and how radical that was at the time.
Do you happen to know how much Benadryl it takes for an 1,100 pound horse? It's a wonder I didn't find her standing on top of the telephone pole when I got home from visiting my Mom Wednesday evening *sigh*
Around here, they don't just use those little popper or sparkler thingies. They use the big bombs that actually rattle the windows in my house. I've gotten to the point where I hate January 1st and July 4th equally because of that.
Enough of the grumble. Now, I'd like to say how much I've enjoyed reading your blog. You are an ace with the words!! Keep up the good work. It sure helps me escape reality for a few minutes at a time.
It's really a shame the airline that my daughter works for doesn't fly into Fresno. I know she flies into Ft. Lauderdale (that was her Tuesday night flight), but right now they only fly into Burbank, CA, and one of the airports in the Bay Area (I never thought I'd see the day when I would actually use that phrase *LOL*). Hopefully someday they'll broaden their horizons -- REALLY BROAD - and I can catch a non-stop flight out of Somewhere, USA, to the Greatest Place on Earth -- Yosemite!!
I have my own thoughts on patriotism.
I particularly despise the phrase "god bless america"...
if only for lacking the implied "and fuck everyone else"
a patriot...I am not.
^ guess that pretty much solidifies that I'LL never be running for office, eh?
Rock on, Suki!
Heh... and I thought I was the only one... ;-)
http://mindprod.com/politics/patriotism.html
Hey, welcome Patty! It's nice to see you here.
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