It’s July 4th as I write this. The 4th of July always brings back memories of our nation and the great holidays of the past, and the great patriots
our country has seen.
When I was young, there was always a big parade on July 4th. And it was a patriotic parade. Veterans were honored. Rousing, music was played by the bands in the parade. People waved flags, from three and four-year-olds to octogenarians. Most of the movies houses had some sort of a patriotic movie showing. It was an exciting day.
I mentioned that to a friend last week. His reply was, “We’re beyond that stuff now. We get the news of how things really are.”
How sad. I believe we got a truer picture of news in those days. Not in real time. But not slanted to match the preferences of the particular newspaper or radio station. Was it always correct? No. But the term “fake news” didn’t even exist. People believed “if it’s in print, it’s probably true.” Reporters required two independent sources. The common practice today of quoting “a reliable, unnamed source” was not the norm sixty years ago.
I miss the patriotism. I miss the flag being honored. We didn’t let the flag touch the ground; burning one was unthinkable. Should we object when things are wrong, unjust, unfair? Yes. But Gandhi and Martin Luther King showed that peaceful protesting can work. Today, a perceived unjust situation seems to be a permit to burn cars, loot, destroy stores where the owner had nothing to do with the problem, except to be on the wrong street.
I visit Mexico frequently. And while I love Mexico, it misses out on some of what makes the U.S. great. As an example, in Mexico, if you are arrested, you are presumed guilty until you can prove yourself innocent – unlike the U.S. where you
are innocent until proven guilty.
However, the U.S. could learn some things from Mexico. The story in my latest book, Political Dirty Trick, takes place during a gubernatorial race in Texas. The candidates spent nine months campaigning (though the book covers only a small portion of that time). In Mexico, the campaign is limited to two months. Total. Gotta love that. Elections are held on a Sunday. So, all beer and liquor sales are stopped for the Saturday before and the Sunday election day. Of course, that makes the Friday before elections a fantastic day for beer and liquor sales.
Okay, off my soapbox. It’s the 4th of July and I will simply thank God I was born in the United States.
Great comments, Jim. I, too, recall the days of local parades, family picnics, good old-fashioned American holidays — nothing like we’re experiencing much of today.
Thanks for stopping y, Eileen. We’ve got a lot of new toys these days. But we have given up a lot also, I think.
I agsee with Skip. It’s Independence Day – not s watered-down Fourth of July which has come to mean another day to party.
Exactly, Gay. Just another day to party. Partying is fine. Just don’t forget why there is such an occasion, and what it really means.
I’m saddened by so many comments against the Greatest Country in peace time. I do not know what the future holds for our Nation. Less we all get down on our knees and pray for forgiveness and ask for healing in this land (2Chron). This is the only way for such a Nation as ours founded on faith to heal. I’m not good at quoting spiritual and inspirational messages, but I have faith in America, what the flag stands for, the people who shed blood, and those who are still shedding.
Augie, thanks for a comment right on the money. My wife and I have traveled to six of the seven continents. We’ve loved many of the countries. But when compared to the United States of American, they always fall short.
Sadly, our country is not the one we grew up in. I pray that more sensible heads will turn away from such radical, destructive and disrespectful views into more common senses views, or our children and grandchildren will likely live to see a completely different nation, even than we have today.
Good thoughts, Elaine. Unfortunately, common sense is not so common today.
Good stuff! I’m not quite your age, maybe, but I recall those parades too. One small point, it is the proper method of disposal for “Old Glory” to burn it, but in a certain way, sort of a ritual, not with stomping and spitting and dumping horrible stuffs all over it in the process. And that burning is appropriate if the flag is tattered or torn or faded, and that is unless it is a historical flag, and they are never flown.
I had the good fortune recently to be honored (along with other vets) by display of an example of the largest U.S. flag, called a garrison flag. It seems to be impractical to fly that flag on an ordinary flagpole, so it’s done vertically, hanging from a cord or wire, with of course the starry field displayed on its own right.
One more point. The holiday is commonly called “The Fourth of July.” Nothing the matter with that, but I believe we miss the point. Properly, it’s Independence Day, commemorating the birth of the nation after a long and bloody war by which that Independence was roundly earned. In these our benighted times, many of us desire to render this proud nation no longer prideful, but just like every other nation, those for example founded in part upon “Dirty Tricks.”
Thanks for visiting, Skip. Good to have someone pay attention to details. You’re absolutely correct on all fronts. In the distant past, we all understood what the 4th of July meant. Good you reminded us its true meaning. And benighted is an apt description. Leave it to a poet to get just the right word. Always a joy to have you comment on the blog, Skip.
Very well said, Jim. I too miss the old days of patriotism and respect.
Respect? I fear most do not know what that means today. Okay, I’m sounding pessimistic. Better days are ahead. Thanks for your comment, Dana. Always glad to have you visit.