America’s Birthday
It’s the Fourth of July, the “birthday” of the United States of America. And, of course, even that date has some controversy (it is the United States). The Declaration of Independence was voted on in the Second Continental Congress on July 4th. Twelve of the thirteen colonies agreed, but the delegation from New York abstained. They had no instructions from their legislature, and didn’t join until July 9th.
And then there’s the “signing” argument. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were adamant that most delegates signed the document on July 4th, but historians argue that other signatures were added on in July and even in August. It’s hard to argue with the firm views Jefferson and Adams. After all, they were there; historians were not. And so the Fourth of July is the “accepted” date.
That was two-hundred and forty-eight years ago. From the very beginning, the Fourth was celebrated by fireworks. John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail after the Congressional vote:
[This day] ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Here in my town, Pataskala, we celebrated with fireworks on Sunday, June 30th. Jenn and I sat on the back deck and watched the show. It’s not quite like being in the crowd at the park, but, we kept close to our dogs inside. They don’t like booms and whistles.
Red, White and Blue
It’s been a week of ups and downs for American patriotism. It started with the absolute joy of American athletes making the Olympic team, proud to represent the USA in Paris at the end of the month. I watched record performances in track and field, with Sydney McLauglin-Levrone breaking her own world standard in the 400 meter hurdles. And a sixteen year-old high school kid, Quincy Wilson, earned a place in the men’s 4×400 relay.
I also saw amazing feats of skill in gymnastics. Simone Biles, all four feet eight inches of her, soared over twelve feet in the air straight from the mat. The “thrill of victory” was clear. So was the “agony of defeat” outlined in the grim smile of Shane Wiskus, the Minnesota born 2021 Olympic gymnast. He was relegated to alternate role on the team by a five one-hundredths of a point difference in computer scoring. The smallest point deduction in gymnastics is one tenth of a point – but the computer model “doesn’t lie” – so Wiskus gets to practice, watch and wait.
Birthday 250
As I watched the fireworks in this small town, I couldn’t help but think what the 250th Birthday might be like, two years from now. With so much on the line in this year’s election, it’s hard to tell what the future holds. Of course we will celebrate in two years, “…from one end of the continent to the other…”. But what will our American government look like.
Kevin Roberts, the President of the conservative Heritage Foundation made it clear what his vision is. He hopes to fill a Trump Administration with Heritage members and fundamentally change the American government, much as the Federalist Society took over the US Supreme Court. The Heritage “Project 2025” would use the Federal government to make fundamental changes in America. As Roberts ominously stated: “We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”
They certainly have the Supreme Court behind them, and the huge thumb of right-wing media on the scale as well. It makes the 2024 election feel like so much more than just two old white men running for President. What was it Superman used to say? 2024 feels like an existential determination of what “Truth, Justice and the American Way” really means.
Roberts laid down his gauntlet: he will have “his” revolution, bloodless or not. 2024’s not about Trump, or Biden. It’s about what the United States of America, and in extension, the world, is going to be like. Will we be celebrating the 250th anniversary, or will we be in mourning for the loss of freedom Project 2025 promises? Who will be welcome in the Park to watch the fireworks, and who will be relegated to watching from outside?
Protect Freedom
It’s almost like “regular” political arguments are no longer important. More or less taxes, wider or narrow roads, the price of milk and eggs; all those issues seem to pale before the threat to freedom that the Heritage Foundation offers. Their vision of America is one we left behind with “Wally and the Beaver” back in the 1950’s. But even worse, they hope to write that vision into stone; in law and practice; to weave it so deeply into our society that it will outlast my generation, the next and even more.
If you didn’t see fireworks this year, there’s still time. The Fourth is today, there are small communities all over firing off their salutes to America tonight. Celebrate the freedoms we have. But when you see that “best firework”, (for me, the huge gold chrysanthemum blast), and listen to the “ooh’s and awe’s”, remember what we really celebrating – freedom.
And vow to do something to protect that freedom come November 2024 – and beyond.
