Went downtown last night to celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day fireworks show with friends, and although I must say I had a great time, I couldn't help but wonder ...
Just like how Christmas is 'supposed' to be the celebration of the birth of the Christian Messiah (although its not at all what he wanted), Independence Day is the celebration of our independence from the foreign soils ...declaration that we can and WILL govern ourselves. Yet, it seems to me, the Fourth of July is more today about a show and a party, commercialized like Christmas has been. Has the American populous lost touch with or forgotten what it means to be an independent people celebrating freedom?
As I stood (with a beer in my hand) watching the fireworks display, I could feel in my heart a pride welling up. Proud to be an American. Proud to make the choices that remind me 'I'm free.' The fireworks are supposed to be a display of the battles fought to gain independence ...yet as I look around on the streets, behind me at the bar, and watch commercials on television, I feel a disconnection. What is this holiday now? A day off from work (for some); an excuse to party; a commercial convincing us to buy?
Don't get me wrong. I do enjoy the show, and hanging with my friends, but I can't help but wonder, "where is the pride? What are we doing here?"
Today's global scene is anything but order. The citizens of every nation have lost sight of what it means to be a part of the human race. The only race, it seems to me, is to be the first with and last without. Selfish 'anti-them' attitudes are prevailing over the cause of humanity ...and it scares me.
Not to borrow a pageant cliche, but where is world peace? Is it my neighbor's job to keep, or mine? Are we approaching an impasse where all things fail? Or, can we push a reset button somewhere and get back on track?
Just some thoughts. I'm probably wrong. Guess we'll see in a few short years. Oh, and by that, how does one prepare?
Showing posts with label national. Show all posts
Showing posts with label national. Show all posts
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Super Day
First comment; Jennifer Hudson's rendition on Sunday's Super Bowl has got to be the most beautiful one I have ever heard. Thank you, Jennifer, for an outstanding rendition of our National Anthem.
And the game ...I didn't get to watch half of it, but thats a different story. I did get to watch the opening ceremony, coin toss, the Boss take stage, then halfway thru the 3rd til the end. Although, I did not have a favorite or bias in this game, I definitely wanted to watch it for the sport (and, of course, the ads and show-factor). Unfortunately, a friend of mine who was at the bar with us, annoyed the
%$#@ out of me. He obviously does not get or understand the sport, nor does he respect those who do. He almost got a back alley facial reconstruction ...I'll forgive him!
How 'bout that last 52 seconds?!
On a different note, I got to witness honest humanity Saturday afternoon while at the gas station. How easy would it be to just say, 'wow, i got a new phone!' A patron of the gas station had accidentally dropped his cell phone and didn't notice. Another gentleman saw the phone and tried to find the owner. Calling a number on the phone already, he informed the person on the other end of the line of the situation and where he was leaving it. He then gave it to the cashier with the information. Most of the similar experiences I've witnessed, individual's will look around, then pocket the find. I would like to thank that gentleman for his part in humanity.
Well, thats pretty much it for right now.
To all who don't, i hope you do.
To all who do, salut!
And the game ...I didn't get to watch half of it, but thats a different story. I did get to watch the opening ceremony, coin toss, the Boss take stage, then halfway thru the 3rd til the end. Although, I did not have a favorite or bias in this game, I definitely wanted to watch it for the sport (and, of course, the ads and show-factor). Unfortunately, a friend of mine who was at the bar with us, annoyed the
%$#@ out of me. He obviously does not get or understand the sport, nor does he respect those who do. He almost got a back alley facial reconstruction ...I'll forgive him!
How 'bout that last 52 seconds?!
On a different note, I got to witness honest humanity Saturday afternoon while at the gas station. How easy would it be to just say, 'wow, i got a new phone!' A patron of the gas station had accidentally dropped his cell phone and didn't notice. Another gentleman saw the phone and tried to find the owner. Calling a number on the phone already, he informed the person on the other end of the line of the situation and where he was leaving it. He then gave it to the cashier with the information. Most of the similar experiences I've witnessed, individual's will look around, then pocket the find. I would like to thank that gentleman for his part in humanity.
Well, thats pretty much it for right now.
To all who don't, i hope you do.
To all who do, salut!
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