I love fireworks, but...

... to call this "America's Birthday" is a little misleading (like most of our traditions and accepted history). The Declaration of Independence did not establish any sort of nation, it was just a handful of influential colonists giving King George a written slap in the face. The "Perpetual Union" was not declared until 16 months later, on 15 November 1777, in the Articles of Confederation. Then, these supposed "United States of America" existed without a government for almost 12 years, until the Constitution was drafted in 1787, ratified in 1788, and took effect in 1789. I'm guessing the reason we don't celebrate the anniversary of the Articles of Confederation is that it would crowd (American) Thanksgiving, another modern invention based on fantasy and outright lies.

Honestly, I swear that I love The Declaration Of Independence. It contains beautiful and timeless words that should apply to all human beings on the planet. Just bear with me, I get upset when I think about our public schools' version of American History.

Please don't think that I have a negative attitude towards America in general. It is my love for this country that makes me so pissed off at it sometimes. I believe in Democracy, but I have no illusions that it has ever existed in this country independent of back-room deals and plutocracy. Did I just say too much? I promised myself to keep this polite, and not get into politics.

I might rant more about the Constitution and it's slide to irrelevancy at a later date, but this is Independence Day:

So, one would assume that the 4th of July marks the day that we left the British Empire and started the Revolutionary War, right? I mean, the fireworks were originally symbolic of war, right? The bombs bursting in air? Our flag still there? (the song is referring to a naval siege in 1814)

Hah! The first battle had taken place in April 1775, and the official Army (of which I am currently a member) was formed 7 June 1775. That's 13 months prior to this "birthday" we celebrate today. So, if the War was already underway, and our present government would not exist for another 12 years, why do we call it "America's Birthday"? Because we contemporary Americans are a bunch of ignorant fools who think that the line is "let Freedom ring".

(I hate to nit-pick, but the lyric to the song is "let Freedom reign", which is also what Martin Luther King said [the Wikipedia transcript is WRONG! arrgh!]. I love Martina McBride's voice and eyes, but she sang it as "ring", with a bell in the background! Doesn't she employ anyone to catch embarrassing things like this? I have never forgiven her.)

I don't want anyone to feel stupid (including Martina). I thought it was "ring" through most of my life, but seriously: doesn't it finally make sense once you realise it is "reign"?

If anyone is still reading this, I want you to know that this is what I celebrate on the 4th, that:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Quoting this online will probably bring me to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security.