Blue Collar Muse

My family and I were privileged to attend two Independence Day celebrations this year. One on the evening of the 3rd and one on the traditional 4th.

Thursday night as I sat in the midst of a crowd enjoying the fireworks, I had the most unusual thought. I had it again on Friday evening. Both times I shook myself; mentally berating myself for thinking so poorly of Democrats and other Leftists. Not even they would be so callous and cynical. Well, not the rank and file, anyway. The professionals are a different story altogether.

What was my thought? Nothing particularly outrageous. I simply wondered to myself if Democrats and Leftists could truly enjoy such a celebration when the connection between the pretty lights and “ka-BOOMs” from the sky and “the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air” and the whole “O say does that star spangled banner yet wave” thing is pretty easy to make.

Making war in a just cause? Americans under siege and attack by a determined and dedicated enemy? American resistance, American response, American resolve and American Revolution? These don’t seem to be the sort of ideas and values one hears from the Left on anything approaching a regular basis. Quite the opposite, in fact. How could they attend something like America’s Birthday Party and not feel out of place?

The crowds around me were large enough it seemed impossible they did not include at least a few Leftists. I wondered why they were there. My family and I talk fairly regularly about our country, where it’s headed and what that means for us today and for them tomorrow. They know why we celebrate the 4th. Is it possible the Leftists among us feel the same? Or is it likely they are simply present for the fun? Could it just be all about hot dogs, fireworks and a day off work?

As I mentioned, I tried to stifle the thought as being unkind. It’s the 4th of July! Even the bad guys have to lighten up a little sometime. I hate it when I’m wrong. Even more when it turns out to be worse than I imagined. You’d think that at least on the 4th the Left could simply enjoy the day, the history and the company of their countrymen. You’d be wrong.

Basking in the memories of wonderful Independence Day celebrations, I surfed over to ‘The Next Right’ this morning and found this post: ‘Patriotism for (Democratic) Dummies’.

I know Danny Glover, the guy who wrote the post. I don’t know him well but he doesn’t strike me as a drooling, rabid, anti-Democrat ranting, Right Winger (OK, maybe I spend too much time with those guys to be objective but you get my point). While passionate, Danny’s a soft spoken, reasoned and very reasonable guy! What could have prompted such a post?

When I read it, I understood. Suddenly my granting the Left a pass on Independence Day seemed a bit hasty. Danny pointed me to a diary over at MyDD giving advice to those wanting to turn Independence Day into a day all about themselves and not our country. It’s great for the Democratic Party to have a float in a parade or a booth in the sponsor area. But this guy went way beyond that. He was all about making a unifying day a divisive day; making a day of celebration a day of condemnation; making a day of patriotism a day of protest.

When they behave like this, it gets harder and harder to see them as reasonable people. Each time I try to give them the gift of the benefit of the doubt, they hand it back unopened. They can’t even attend a birthday party without an agenda.

Blue Collar Muse

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