Blah.

Yesterday, as I'm sure you all know, was Independence Day. I had anticipated the fourth of July for quite a few weeks as it always arrives full of tasty grilled animal products and old friends. During high school the 4th was always the one day my parents let loose of my curfew and allowed me to run wild through the exciting suburbs of southern Minnesota. We tried to find trouble, but my friends and I weren't what you'd call hardcore. Mostly we did stupid things like race our parents cars down Cedar Avenue and light off illegal fireworks on public property. Nights would usually end with watching rented VHS tapes, self imposed 3am curfews and promises to make that summer the best ever. We'd plan road trips and camping adventures that we all knew we'd never end up going on. Then all of the sudden it would be September and we would return to studying hard and involving ourselves in every extra curricular activity possible always looking forward to the next summer.

But now we don't really have more summers together. We're all growing up and formulating our very own separate selves. It's funny how you can already tell who will disappear and who will always be there. This last year of college has really made me realize the difference between genuine friends and friends of convenience and it has definitely allowed me to appreciate my memories with each set of friends.

I guess I expected that this 4th of July would have more meaning because in the past year my appreciation for our country has grown immensely. I made sure the flag was properly displayed and that the flower boxes adorning the front of my house were accented with miniature versions of old glory. I prepared myself to be accosted by my more than slightly liberal friends for my over the top patriotism and never dying commitment to defending my President. I spent the day in the kitchen preparing potato salad and chopping watermelon and not surprisingly it didn't live up to the 4th of July celebrations of my youth. My little city was practically devoid of people and activity, it seemed as if everyone had retreated to their cabins. Our neighborhood hadn't even organized a block party or parade. I don't know if I was disappointed or worried. It was just so strange that their was no sense of community on what I thought was an important day meant to remind us what our country stands for.

Maybe my cabinless family is the odd one, maybe that's where all the celebrations were taking place, though I doubt it. It's more likely that my fellow Americans were cruising around the pristine lakes of Minnesota on their expensive boats not thinking about what the 4th of July means to them. I have to wonder just how many people thought about our country and what we've been through to be here today while their eyes were lit ablaze by colorful displays of million dollar fire works. The answers to those questions make me angry. Here we are, enjoying the products of much sacrifice without even appreciating them in the most simple way. No wonder so many people lack faith in the institution of democracy and could care less about giving the opportunity of freedom to others throughout the world. I'm sick and tired of people who hate our country, as if they even have a right to make such a judgment. It is a complete mockery and they should be ever grateful that they have the opportunity to make that criticism. So go ahead and say that you hate America Michael Moore. You can leave anytime you want since you are unable to offer solutions to the problems you find so damning.

This goes way beyond any political party and if anything is a matter of respect and gratitude. So while Mr. Moore rolls in the cash from the institution of capitalism he hates so much I'll just laugh. I'm done with lies, manipulation, and flagrant hypocrisy. I only wish other people will start realizing the fate of our country is in their hands.