Happy 4th of July Tomorrow, I Guess

[Everybody Wang Chung]

[Kishkumen]

Not much to celebrate this year as we are experiencing a loss of liberty, a greater centralization of power in the executive, the violation of civil rights, an end to the rule of law, corruption on an unprecedented scale.

The only thing to celebrate is our resolve to oppose tyranny.

[MG 2.0]

Not much to celebrate this year as we are experiencing a loss of liberty, a greater centralization of power in the executive, the violation of civil rights, an end to the rule of law, corruption on an unprecedented scale.

The only thing to celebrate is our resolve to oppose tyranny.

I like what Bari Weiss said today over at the Free Press:

The tenor of the public debate—from elected officials to pundits, journalists to public intellectuals—implies that we are living in something approaching the apocalypse. To them, the game is rigged, the system is broken, everything is awful, and life was better decades ago.

That’s mostly BS.

Yes, we have real problems. But widen the aperture, and you’ll see that there has never been a better time to be alive than the present day.

And:

The incentives of the press fuel the narrative of despair and doom. So do the incentives facing politicians, who don’t get gigs by telling you: “Things are mostly okay, but hey, there are some things we really need to work on.”
https://www.thefp.com/p/populists-ignor ... world-ever

The internet and social media have exponentially exacerbated any problems that we have in America.

I think we live in the greatest nation in the world in many respects. And the Constitution is still the greatest standard for a successful and free citizenry ever created by men. Some would even say that God had a hand in it.

Happy Birthday America!!!

Regards,
MG

[Jersey Girl]

I'd probably call this a mixed bag kind of 4th this year. I don't think we're wrecked forever but it feels like our goverment is fraught with "For the love of money is the root of all evil" level corruption. I've managed to continue long periods of detox starting back in January, pulling my head out of the screens and remaining grounded. I don't live there. I live right here. Out in the sticks with these new babies.



And when I go out in the community, it's the same familiar community we've always lived in with the same good neighbors, even out in the marketplaces (and hospitals in which I've spent far too much time) it's friendly as usual and I always make it a point to show myself appreciative and friendly to others and be a light.

On the other hand, this is my Facebook profile pic right now. It was the Facebook cover for Memorial Day and I've decided to keep it around as a reminder of where we come from because we're still here standing on the shoulders of all who sacrificed and fought for our temporarily shrinking freedoms. My glass remains, as always, at least half full!

[canpakes]

I like what Bari Weiss said today over at the Free Press:

… “we are living in something approaching the apocalypse … the game is rigged, the system is broken, everything is awful, and life was better decades ago …”

(Non-essential words edited out by me)

Apparently, Bari attended many Trump campaign rallies in 2024, and memorized the script. : D

[Moksha]

I hope they did not use up all the fireworks for the Trump birthday bash.

[canpakes]

I hope they did not use up all the fireworks for the Trump birthday bash.

Trump authorized another large purchase from Gyna, so we’re good to go.

Happy Fourth, Penguin!