Chicago march and protest against H.R. 4437. Image: Creative Commons by Edu-Tourist.

On 4 July 1776, over 500 years after Ireland began saying it, the colonies now officially known as “that big, eastern chunk of the United States” finally chimed in with a semi-united, single-spaced, handwritten “B-Bye” to their tyrannical ruler in London. Now, 232 years later, despite a long resurgence of anglophilia; including stylish British English yod-insertion and non-rhoticism (-r dropping), that led to such things as Southern, New York, and New England pronunciation; Americans once again celebrate independence.

So, America, go out, watch a fireworks show and an action film, and throw some burgers on the barbecue. Try to be safe, and try to spend fewer of those under-valued U.S. dollars on petroleum, and maybe a few more on Anheuser-Busch products. That way, those dollars will stay out of oil-industry pockets, and A-B will have more money to keep the Belgians –whose board was taken over by Brazilians- from taking over the company that was founded by Germans, whose flagship product is 100% American, but named after a Czech town.

Movies

For a good Independence Day movie, why not rent The Patriot, starring those great Americans Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. You could also rent that American icon Batman, of course, in Batman Begins, featuring American patriot, Christian Bale. He did portray, after all, that lovable would-be cowboy, new york newsboy, in Newsies, as well as American Psycho.

Friendly Shores

Remember to show respect to the many that wish to be in America. We’ve got immigration issues galore, for sure. Don’t forget, though, that most Americans are born and raised in America because a bunch of their ancestors fell off of boats coming from somewhere else. Not all of them, either, were as hard-working as the many men and women who struggle to come to America today. We’re all lucky someone didn’t stick our forebears back on the ship with a hearty “return to sender”.

Maybe within the next year or two, we’ll come up with a robust, humane provision for all the people who want to live in America, on purpose, not just because they were lucky enough to be born here. We’re here because someone else got that chance, and particularly easily, too.

Cheers!