Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day, so I just did what I do every year on this date; I read The Declaration of Independence. I make it a habit on all holidays to spend time thinking about what we are honoring. The Fourth is my favorite American holiday, it’s barbecues, fireworks, baseball, and the beach. I love those things but still spend time to remember America. It is not just my favorite American holiday it is THE American holiday. Take a minute now to join me and read the Declaration. This year I chose this transcription, The Declaration of Independence. Here’s a picture of the engraving.
I find it dismaying that people on the political right often feel that the flag, the Declaration, and patriotism belong solely to them. I’m dismayed when people on the left cede that ground to them. I am encouraged to see progressives are increasingly not ceding that ground and expressing their own patriotism. I made the American flag my cover picture on Facebook and see that many of my friends have too. We should all want what is best for America even if we disagree as to what is best.
My attitude is “My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” I take issue with those few on the left that see our sins and repudiate America. I take more issue with the many on the right who view any examination of our faults as unpatriotic. The first step in resolving a problem is admitting that there is a problem. We need to examine our history the way we examine ourselves in therapy. It is easy to deny you have any problems. It is easy to see you have problems and hate yourself. Therapy is largely about avoiding those two extremes. America needs a good therapist.
I started with the Declaration and when reading it my thoughts often turn to its primary author Thomas Jefferson. He was a true child of the Enlightenment, an apostle of freedom and reason. He was also a slave owner. Both those things are true, and one does not negate the other. You can’t understand him without understanding both. I have considered this paradox since childhood. How can the person that wrote those words and believe in those ideals have kept slaves? The answer is that he was not an angel or demon, but a human being, capable of believing three impossible things every day before breakfast. We all do that. We should try to avoid it, but we shouldn’t beat ourselves up when we fail.
Now to turn to examining myself. I had a failure last night. I did not get myself out of the house to see Tamar Korn. I miss live music so much, but I couldn’t get myself up and moving. Instead, I collapsed and fell asleep. I have no plans for the holiday other watching two Met games. Maybe I’ll be a wild man and go shopping. I’m still depressed and anxious. I am going to the Met game tomorrow, that will help. I need time with friends.
Now to eat breakfast, that always makes me feel better. I think I’ll go with matzoh brei. Let’s get back to Independence Day and the flag with this song by Aaron Nathans. I’m in the video.
Wise Madness 