Independence Day, 2005

[OperaTenor]

I was dismayed to see very few American flags flying from people's houses this past weekend. I'd say, in traveling all over the entire northern half of San Diego county, I saw less than 10, including my own. I'm used to seeing lots of flags flying, especially in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

How was it in your neck of the woods? If you noticed the same lack of display of patriotism, why do you suppose that is?

[Shapley]

I didn't get out much this weekend, so I don't know. I live in the boondocks and didn't really look around. My neighbor had a flag flying, but he does nearly every day of the year. My brother-in-law, at whose house we had dinner, had his flag flying, but I didn't look around at the neighbours homes to see if they did, as well.

I did hear fewer fireworks this year, but that could have been a precaution due to the dry weather we've had. It could also be that I simply didn't notice hear as many due to my lack of travelling over the weekend. We never shoot fireworks at my house, but I would have definetely forbidden them this year due to the dry conditions. (We did finally get a lot of rain last night, which delayed the city of Cape Girardeau's and neighbouring communities' firworks displays by half-an-hour to an hour.)

V/R
Shapley

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

Because I drove up to San Jose, dragged seventeen of my relatives to the drum corps show, and crashed in Lisa and Jesse's house.

RB and La Mesa had flags up for events and such.

Hollister was full of motorcycles this weekend. About ten thousand of them roared past me as I was sitting semi-still in Pacheco Pass, and about a third of them were wearing a flag, either as bike art, jacket art, tee-shirt art, or skin art.

<small>[ 07-05-2005, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: Selma in Sandy Eggo ]</small>

[RC]

There really isn't any excuse for citizens to forget the US on her birthday. This is my favorite holiday and I've been a sucker for the USA for 40 years.

I noticed a distinct lack of flag waving and wouldn't dare to presume outloud what that's all about.

But, OT, please let me borrow your thread to spout a little patriotism from the heart. I didn't have access to a computer on the 4th or I'd have taken time to post it on the appropriate day.

I HEAR America singing, the varied carols I hear;
Those of mechanics -- each one singing his, as it should be,
blithe and strong;
The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank and beam;
The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work,
or leaves off work;
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat --
the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck;
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench --
the hatter singing as he stands;
The wood-cutter's song -- the ploughboy's, on his way
in the morning, or at the noon intermission, or at sundown;
The delicious singing of the mother -- or of the young wife
at work -- or of the girl sewing or washing -- Each singing
what belongs to her, and to none else;
The day what belongs to the day -- At night, the party of
young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious songs.
Walt Whitman - "Leaves of Grass"

Ahhh, another year marking what I love about my country. Sorry all my friends from the rest of the world, but my dance card remains full and my heart stolen.

Hope you all enjoyed your celebrations and thanks for letting me borrow the thread.

[OperaTenor]

For something as eloquent as that, you may borrow my thread anytime you wish! Thank you.

If one of you did notice "a distinct lack of flag waving", I'd like to hear what speculation there might be as to why that's occurring. I have an opinion, but I'd rather hear from others before I open my big mouth any wider.

I will say one thing: To me, acting out patriotism is for a nation what sex is to a marriage; an outward manifestation, an indication of the health of the relationship. In the case of patriotism, a gesture of enthusiasm and pride for our way of life and faith in the direction our country is taking.

[Nicole Marie]

Lots o' Flag waving in my neighborhood. My neighbor (who's son is in Iraq) hung a sign with his son's name and unit on it too. Nice touch.

[Haggis@wk]

This is Texas, need I say more? the Fourth of July is about the only time of the year you see more American flags than Texas flags!

I have an all weather lighted U.S. flag flying 24X7. I replace it at least every July 4 or sooner if needed. I just turned 5 older flags over to the Boy Scouts for proper disposal.

On the fourth, the MRYN and I went to the Myerson Symphony Center for a concert by the Dallas Wind Ensemble.

Prior to the performance they had a contest for anyone who wore the most patriotic clothing, several came made up as Uncle Sam.

It was a great concert and they had several sing alongs and the guy next to me was a tenor in the Dallas chorale and had a wonderful voice. I just mouthed the words so everyone would think it was me singing that well.

During the concert they had everyone who was, or had been, in the military stand up when they played the service song. The old guy next to Sharon stood up when they played the Air Force song. He was in his 80's and had been a bomber pilot in WWII.

Suffice to say a good time was had by all!!!

[barfle]

As you might guess, Washington, DC had a pretty decent celebration. There were probably half a million people on the National Mall, where there was an annual celebration put on by the Smithsonian where you could eat almost anything anyone ever thought was good. It sort of reminds me of the Orange International Street Fair , but with more real estate. Sandy Eggans, I highly recommend a trip north over the Labor Day weekend.

Red, White, and Blue were prominent, from various bunting displayed on the buildings in the area to the sometimes amazing costumes worn by the spectators. It's always a treat to see Washington, DC's fireworks with the Washington Monument in the foreground. Over 2,000 skyrockets in 20 minutes! And it really wasn't all THAT bad getting home on Metro afterwards.

[shostakovich]

Hi OT. GWB requested we all show support for the troops by flying flags on the 4th. I'd like to think the lack of flag waving was a direct consequence, but probably it's not.

My own take on patriotism in it's highest form is to resist with a passion anything W says. I feel I'm patriotic. I support the troops. They are not at fault for the war. I support the Iraqis who are taking a beating for trying to construct a new government.

I didn't fly a flag, though. I rarely call attention to myself (visually, anyway).
Your buddy, Shos

[Schmeelkie]

I claim toddler for not having a flag flying. We have a flag, but havent gotten around to putting the thing on the wall to hold it up. Did see lots in our neighborhood, thus the guilty feelings. Also was a lax mom and didn't have a 4th of July outfit for Pumpkin as others did at our town's festivities. He was mostly in blue, though (with white socks and his hat is red).