July Fourth

In Politics on 4 July 2004 with no comments

It’s a conundrum. Can I still say “Happy July Fourth” when I’m disgusted by my country? Can I still feel pride in the rebellious spirit of our “more perfect union” when we’re torturing people in Abu Ghraib? Can I still ooh and aah at fireworks when we’re jailing innocent people in Guantanamo Bay and claiming that they have no right to trial? Can I sing the national anthem for a country who’s leader can’t pronounce the word “nuclear,” but can use it to lie the country into a war?

Happy birthday, America. I hope that, by the next time July 4 rolls around, we’ll have more to celebrate.