Now as you all know yesterday was the day we celebrate the Independence of our great nation, well actually we celebrate the accepting of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress as the document wasn't actually signed until August 2nd. Historical footnote aside the official holiday is celebrated on July 4th, and that could only mean one thing, party time! Yes in every city all across this land barbecues were had, beers were drunk, and in many states illegal fireworks were set off in amazing five minute displays prompting the ignighter to comment on how next year he will spend five hundred dollars instead of just three. In towns all over parades were held, and people fought to be the first to line their lawn-chairs along the route all weekend, everywhere it was summer and everywhere a good time was held, but I need to ask what does it all mean? I added my historical footnote not to be a history snob and thumb my nose at the American populous, but rather because I think it is important that we actually remember what we are celebrating this holiday and every holiday for. Now July Fourth might not be the best example of people celebrating something they are clueless about, but it is the only one I have to work with right now as it just passed. All across the nation July Fourth, our nations Independence Day is celebrated, baseball games are played in throwback uniforms, and people watch fireworks commemorating our victory over England in the American Revolutionary war, but how many people celebrating can recite even the first few lines of the Declaration of Independence? Who can tell us where the Continental Congress was held, or who the first and last states to ratify it were? The funny thing to me is that these are questions that one would be expected to know if they were going for United States citizenship and yet many of our own born in the good ol' US of A couldn't even tell you that John Hancock was the first to sign or that Thomas Jefferson wrote it but did not appear at the Congress. Don't you find it a little fucked up, that people who aren't born here know more about our country's early history than most of us born here? To me it speaks volumes to our school systems, and no I am not criticizing our nation's teachers although I kind of am, we put money towards so many things as a nation yet we consistently cut or ignore the education systems of our country. Correct me if I am wrong but as a nation the USA prides itself on being number one, in every major world organization you will find the United States in the Security Committee, atop the Olympics medal count you will always find the United States in either the summer or winter games, the worlds leading military power, and spear head of the financial industry, and yet our school programs fall short. Instead of worrying about education we allot billions of dollars to fight wars many of us don't believe in, we have super bombs that can be flown via computer satellite hundreds of miles away and are accurate enough to fly right up your asshole in the time it takes for you to drop your pants and sit on the toilet seat, but our kids don't deserve to be the best and brightest? Call me old fashioned but I think it is about time we reassessed our priorities as a nation, and perhaps dealt with it in the simplest way possible, our US holidays are created for a reason, because they are memorable dates in United States history, let's make sure that we know just why we are celebrating them, for what they stand, and who made them come about. Then we can continue to enjoy the beer and festivities that I do love oh so much.
Enjoy your week ladies and gentlemen and remember I will be back on Monday to talk about something new and exciting.
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