HAPPY JULY 4TH, EV'RYONE

I don't like getting political on the Root Down because I don't like putting readers in compromising or awkward positions (really, I don't), but July 4th is a rare day for me in which, annually, I'm hit with a reflective patriotism that, I'll be honest, I seldomly feel. It's that "purple mountain majesty" patriotism that makes me extremely thankful that I live in this country. Freedom, baseball, Rocky Road, tornados, democracy, the Ultramagnetic MCs, the Grand Canyon, the Boston Red Sox, Hemingway, Eastwood, New Balance, Simon and Garfunkel, the Beach Boys, the right to assemble and worship in peace. It's a great country. Unmatched. But it's also the day that you get to see in full display people in their arrogance and ignorance as to the matters of the world and in their own community. We're a nation divided far more than in halves. We're bitter, hardened, impoverished, defeated, depressed and confused. We're struck into fearful action by our own news organizations who hawk fear in the name of advertising revenues. We've lost that ability to dance and play. We're skeptical. We're afraid someone is going to give us the flu that'll kill us or someone has a bomb ready to detonate in their shoe. We feel it's necessary to jam our country down the throats of others in vengeance of horrible tragedy. We can't admit defeat. We can't give up. Even if it means the battle turns the country on itself.

And, like a classic case of disassociation, every July 4th, we celebrate by getting drunk and watching white trash in their dangerous exhibitions with pyrotechnics with no connection to what the holiday means. Many businesses are open like any other day and retailers are cramming their buy-one-get-one sales as the perfect capitalistic opportunity to shove more things that no one needs (and no one can afford) into the living rooms, backyards and closets of any sucka dumb enough to fall for a slick marketing message. We just don't really stop to reflect anymore. We just charge along trying to bring back that loving feeling by beating it to death. I guess that's how it is everywhere in this world. Maybe not. I haven't traveled enough to know. I suppose they act the same way down in Mexico on September 16th. It's not really a day that we sit and reflect on the country and it's history, it's preservation. In fact, we take the day off from doing all of those things.

You feel almost outcasted for wanting to "talk America" on July 4th like it's inappropriate. Like you're just supposed to grin and bear it. Put on a smile because we're celebrating a birthday, here. Don't get all political, bro. Don't be a party pooper. Relax. Chill.

Alright, I'll chill. It's 10:00AM and I feel good. Maybe I just needed to get it off my chest. As I complete this, the sounds of Sly and Family Stone's "Stand" fills the small corner of the room.

Stand

In the end you'll still be you

One that's done all the things you set out to do

Stand

There's a cross for you to bear

Things to go through if you're going anywhere

Stand

For the things you know are right

It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight

Stand

All the things you want are real

You have you to complete and there is no deal

Stand. stand, stand

Stand. stand, stand

Stand

You've been sitting much too long

There's a permanent crease in your right and wrong

Stand

There's a midget standing tall

And the giant beside him about to fall

Stand. stand, stand

Stand. stand, stand

Stand

They will try to make you crawl

And they know what you're saying makes sense and all

Stand

Don't you know that you are free

Well at least in your mind if you want to be

Everybody Stand, stand, stand