Happy Birthday, America!

[Ron Thorne]

This is a birthday when we traditionally go a bit nuts, with food, drink and ... fireworks.

Tonight, for the 1st time, I actually heard the decree from our former president, John Adams, to celebrate with fireworks:

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[6]

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

[Mike Schwartz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqL5fhU0lZ4

[Mike Schwartz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qbzDYAlong

[Mike Schwartz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OTRRzSuWro

[Jimmy Cantiello]

In light of the unfortunate events in Egypt, this Fourth is especially meaningful for me. How the fuck does a country "suspend" the constitution?

[Monte Smith]

The military always holds the ace in Egypt (and Turkey). A fact for which we can be grateful.

Rah, rah, USA.

[walto]

Not a huge fan of this holiday.

No person could get elected to rule in any country in the world without proclaiming exceptionalism from the rooftops whether he or she actually believes it or not.

Everybody is special, and his/her own country is the most special. Just ask Monte.

Yers,

Boston Wimpy

[walto]

Some nice Tolstoy quotes on patriotism:

The intensification of this terrible feeling of patriotism has reached the utmost limits, beyond which there is no room for it to extend.

Above all, they perpetrate every kind of injustice against other nations, provoking enmity towards their people, & then exploit that enmity.

Among adults they kindle patriotism by spectacles, jubilees, monuments, and by a lying patriotic press.

In the schools they kindle patriotism in the children w/ histories describing their own people as the best of peoples & always in the right.

Every Emperor and King obtains more fame the more he is addicted to patriotism.


Every writer, teacher, and professor is more secure the more he preaches patriotism.


Patriotism and its results--wars--give an enormous revenue to the newspaper trade, and profits to many other trades.

Every official prospers more in his career the more patriotic he is; the soldier gets promoted in war--war is produced by patriotism.

[Monte Smith]

Everybody is special, and his/her own country is the most special. Just ask Monte.

I've always loved Paraguay.

[sozamora]

Not a huge fan of this holiday.

No person could get elected to rule in any country in the world without proclaiming exceptionalism from the rooftops whether he or she actually believes it or not.

Everybody is special, and his/her own country is the most special. Just ask Monte.

Yers,

Boston Wimpy

I get the day off, so I'm for it.

[walto]

Everybody is special, and his/her own country is the most special. Just ask Monte.

I've always loved Paraguay.

Another great pick of yours.

[Monte Smith]

Another great pick of yours.

They've got everything. Dirt, a river, parrots.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

In light of the unfortunate events in Egypt, this Fourth is especially meaningful for me. How the fuck does a country "suspend" the constitution?

What's the real difference between suspending it or simply ignoring it like our leaders do?

Hey, maybe you're right. When it comes to our last several Presidents, maybe we should take a lesson from Egypt and oust the guy in charge and replace him with somebody just as corrupt.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

That's what we do every four to eight years.

Ha, ha. touché...

[walto]

Another great pick of yours.

They've got everything. Dirt, a river, parrots.

You said it. OTOH, to be a REALLY REALLY great country (I mean like the abfab U.S.A.) you've got to be involved in a scores of absurd futile yet lethal activities all over the globe. Paraguay has a lot of catching up to do in that dept. I can see why you make them only your number 2.

[Monte Smith]

Paraguay has started a war with every adjacent neighbor, walto, sometimes taking them all on at once.

[walto]

Well, that IS something I suppose, but that staying near home business is nothing a true American like you can countenance.

[Monte Smith]

And then, of course, there is the Jesuit history in Paraguay. Don't listen to Voltaire on this subject, for he is a cunt (Scott, can we say that on this board?). Finally, there is the Paraguay national soccer team. They are going to shock us all at the World Cup in Brazil next summer, I can feel it. Paraguay--no solemente un pais. Es mi pais. Or something like that. That's a billboard from ruta uno outside the airport.