4th of July: freedom or grunting machismo?

In My Humble Opinion
1

We went to the local 4th celebrations yesterday: parade, picnic, ball games, all the cliches (which we like). The parade was disturbing in that it contained, to large extent, marching soldiers, veterans groups and floats extolling the might of America. Seems to me it would have been more appropriate for Veterans’ Day or Memorial Day. Afterwards, there was a reading of the Declaration at the park, but again the event was couched in military terms and regalia.

Now, I understand that America gained its freedom as a result of armed revolution; however, July 4th celebrates America’s declaration that we were sick and tired of tyranny and that all people had the right to pursue life, liberty, etc. It seems to me that parades of my youth were geared more to humanity and community and freedom issues, rather than strutting machismo.

Is this what it has come to? That we equate freedom and democracy with stomping the crap out of anyone who disagrees with us? This parade was chillingly reminiscent of the parades in Moscow (well, maybe not quite THAT militaristic).

At the ballgame later, a fight broke out (I mean a real fight) between an ump and a coach. This aggression seems to be the norm in our society today and I don’t want to get off topic, but combined with the tone of the parade, it was disturbing.

So, how was your 4th celebration? Any thoughts on the above? Oh, by the way, before people start throwing tomatoes at me for disrespecting the military, I served 23 years and am a Viet vet.

2

In other words, it was like a busman’s holiday for you.

3

I don’t know where you are, but we had zip military involved in the festivities where I was (Kemah, Texas). The Air National Guard usually does a flyover of Galveston and Trinity Bays, but it was overcast.

So, no, my impression of the holiday was pretty upbeat, with nary a peep of unwarranted, unruly or even present aggressiveness.

4

I don’t think we have any parades around here, for the 4th. But, my observation is that America, in general, has gotten much more militaristic, since 9/11.

5

I’m not sure how your snide comment addresses the thread. I’ve been out of the military for nearly 15 years.

6

I didn’t go to any of our local festivities, for one primary reason: because if I did, I would have had to hear that damn Lee Greenwood song. (I was also post-call and rather tired, but that was secondary.)

Instead, I grilled some ribs, drank a good quantity of Blue Moon Ale, and listened to the rumbling of the fireworks in the distance. I puzzled for a while about how both our Independence Day celebration and our national anthem are centered around shit blowing up. I listened to some John Prine, including “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore”, and went to bed.

Not a bad day, all told.

Dr. J