Happy 235, America!
I just drove at 3:30am this morning from Hilton Head South Carolina to Savannah, Georgia, took a flight to Atlanta and another to Kansas City, spoke at an independence rappy in KC, and am now driving to Joplin, Missouri. Rush Limbaugh is holding a relief effort event.
Meanwhile, here is my independence wish for liberals.
As we prepare to have American flags fly high and Roman candles light up the night sky, I would like to ask a favor of liberals, leftists and all others on the “progressive” side of the political spectrum.
Take July 4th off. For one day, don’t act like you. Don’t act like a stereotype of yourselves. You claim you love peace. Well enjoy peace with a huge helping of quiet next to it.
There is not a single thing any of you believe that cannot wait until July 5th.
The anti-war protesters can wait until Tuesday. Freedom of speech does not mean that people are required to speak. On this day, silence is platinum. If you see soldiers in their uniforms and are unable to thank them for their service, just leave them alone. They fight so that you can protest. You do nothing for them. They do everything for you. They bleed for you so you can heap scorn on them. Let them enjoy their holiday.
The grievance mongers of every minority group should also take a 24 hour siesta. Carping about how the United States of America was founded by rich, white slave-owning land barons is long beyond the gates of boring. In the last decade alone we have elected a bi-racial president, had a female vice presidential candidate, and a Jewish vice presidential candidate. A Jewish woman heads the Democratic Party while a black man recently headed the Republican Party. His predecessor was Jewish and (unbeknownst at the time) gay.
The current crop of presidential candidates includes one woman, one black man, a gay Jewish man, a pair of Mormons, a Catholic, and even some standard tall white guys with good hair and red and blue diagonal neckties.
Let the complaining cease today. There is so much that is right with America that needs to be appreciated.
To all of the vegans and vegetarians, let the carnivores enjoy their beef hot dogs in tranquility. This nation was not founded on tofu or any other imitation food derivative. Let our dogs eat Mighty Dog and stop trying to feed them veggie snacks. Today is not a day to complain about world hunger, American obesity, cholesterol, or hold up signs stating that “meat is murder.” Beef tastes good. Good taste is a form of pleasure. Let us have our pleasures without the guilt trip.
Eat a real hot dog. Eat four. Heck, eat 64 like Joey Chestnut if you can. July 4th is the Coney Island Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Brooklyn. Immigrants came to Ellis Island, saw the statue of liberty, and realized that they could do anything and be anybody here. Joey Chestnut does not represent sloth, gorging, or any other negative stereotype of Americans. He represents the spirit of competition in the free (super) market. Cheer him on to win the Yellow Belt or stay silent.
Comedian Dennis Leary long ago pointed out that this country was founded on two things: “Meat…and war.” So let us eat our hot dogs and salute our soldiers free of lectures and condescension.
There will be plenty of time for those on the left to try and raise taxes and spend that money down a rathole of failed programs that destroy those meant to be helped. For just one day, let’s have an Independence Day free of whining and complaining about inequity. America is liberty, and liberty is life.
America feeds, clothes, protects, and defends the world. We are the most technologically advanced nation in the history of civilization as well as the most powerful. Yet we are also the most compassionate. We believe in “love thy neighbor,” and have every right to shout from the rooftops how much we love this land that has given us everything and then some.
Liberals will always have Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. Conservatives have Lee Greenwood and Toby Keith. Yet if we are truly going to “come together,” let it be in an expression of positive sentiments on July 4th. Don’t tarnish America’s birthday by attacking the most beautiful and noble experiment in the history of civilization.
Nobody is questioning the patriotism of liberals. Deep down they love America for what they want it to be. Today, just love it for what it already is.
This is not about patriotism. It is about timing.
Take the day off from complaining. Share hot dogs with your neighbors, even if those neighbors are soldiers. You might appreciate them (the hot dog and the soldiers) more than you realized.
America-bashing can return on July 5th for those who need dour pessimism the way those who see Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill” need oxygen.
Yet for one day only, just be grateful for America. Don’t allow the fringes to regulate it out of existence. Put extra ketchup, some celery salt, and those delicious sport peppers on your hot dog.
Complain about calories, American excess, and life itself tomorrow if you must.
Today…just live. Enjoy your freedom. Now enjoy it quietly so your neighbor can enjoy freedom as well.
America, Ray Charles has a message from heaven. “God done shed his grace on thee.”
God bless our troops, and God bless America now and forever.
eric
Update: Joey Chestnut successfully completed the Drive for Five, Downing 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes. The world record of 69 is his as well.
You seem to miss the entire point of being an American. Too bad.
JMJ