To all my friends on Booktalk:
A belated Happy Birthday to the United States of America.

The United States: My country, right or wrong.
When she is right, to keep her that way.
When she is wrong, to put her right.

Thanks, Cattleman! Happy 4th!

My wife thinks I am strange for being patriotic. Maybe I am. But I appreciate both the fact it is where I come from and the symbolism of a republic, free of the tyranny of greater force (even as tamed by legitimacy and thus aristocracy). We have led the way on some progress, and dragged our feet on other progress. We have not tamed tribalist racism, but we have set our minds to doing something about it, and elected our first Black president.

There still exists, to my mind, an "us". It comes in all colors, it includes the fervently meritocratic and the not so much. Paul Krugman observed today that our satisfaction level is at record highs. Now if only we could turn our (brilliant, in some cases) minds to stopping climate change.

Beautiful words, Harry Marks.

I'm the only house in my neighborhood that flies the American flag proudly. I don't get it. Why hasn't anyone else been inspired by seeing my flag flying? Has my flag triggered any discussions about flags and patriotism amongst my neighbors? Do they judge me? How so? I'm curious.

Even though I'm really frustrated with politics and politicians today I still do love what this country stands for.