God Bless America!

Woohoo it's the fourth of July in the wonderful world of America. Pass the sparklers and the hot dogs and let's celebrate some freedom from tyranny.

Well, in the perfect world, in the perfect neighbourhood, in the perfect backyard, in the perfect family, that is exactly how it would go down.

Actually it goes a little something like this.

The colonies refused British rule for one reason and one reason only: it wasn't in their best interest financially. To be honest, it wasn't in their best interest financially to all become one country. The state system has worked out surprisingly well (one might argue until the recent past when states were no longer known by their name, capitol and state bird but by the "red state blue state" phenomenon) and will in all likelihood work out for years to come. The only time I ever heard talk of revolution was in a study hall in high school from someone who saw the hammer and sickle I had drawn on my notebook. Ah to be a young socialist. I'm still a young socialist, but I'm practical and peaceful enough to know that toting guns and filling peoples' heads with the ideas of men who lived 100, even 200 years ago is simply asking for trouble. I own and read the manifesto, in fact it's one of my favourite pieces of literature, but it could use some updating.

So, the 13 colonies became 1 brand spanking new country. If problems could be converted to gasoline we would still be running on the 'problems' of our fore fathers. But we made it, and we're here now, after a long and tumoltuous journey through time. We're still a very young country, and we have very much to learn (as does the rest of the world).

Call me a typical American but I think we're the best country in the world, with the best people in the world. I love this country with all my heart. If someone disrespects this country and these amazing people I'd be the first to correct their mistake. And I'm proud to be an American.

In this country.

When I travel abroad I tell people I'm from Canada. I learned that the hard way. People are not at all friendly to Americans. So, when I'm visiting Ireland I am from St. John's, Newfoundland Canada. I think the winters are horrendous but I do enjoy the fresh cod in the spring mm mm mm. The regatta sailing ferstival is simply the best on the East Coast eh?

They'd never know I was born and raised in Connecticut, in the United States, nowhere near the water and nowhere near Canada.

But I do love this country. I hate the way it is treated and the way our people are talked about, like we're monsters. There are monsters everywhere in this world, it's not unique to Americans. We didn't all elect George Bush, and I can guarentee that 95% of us are completely sorry for every remark that leaves his big fat mouth.

As an American I apologize for our dumbass leader. As an American I say, God bless America, the country where anything was possibly for my ancestors. You welcomed them in when their homelands had nothing left to offer. I am eternally grateful to this great country, and all it has to offer. God bless America indeed, and may all Her people live in peace and harmony with the rest of the world in the VERY near future.