Happy July 4th, Jeff. Yesterday, waiting at a Costco table for my tires to be installed, I had a 45 minute conversation with a MAGA who sat down to eat his hot dog. (I was reading a book until he interrupted). Wide ranging convo until he asked where I lived--Whittier. He responded it used to be nice when he grew up in Whittier but now "there are so many Mexicans." I said, Yeah, that is part of the appeal; why don't you like Mexicans?" Ranting. So, then I asked how he liked what the President is doing. Shrug. Said he used to like him but now trump only cares about making himself richer. I asked several more questions and determined that yes, this MAGA is not tuned into the news--at all. Pox on me for thinking this but I had an inkling that the State Fair extravaganza in D.C. would be the Jonestown of MAGAs. Judging from the size of crowds, I'm guessing the Costco MAGA is not alone in his disillusionment. Peace and cheers. This too shall pass.
It actually helped me. There are people who pay no attention to civics and do not engage in thinking. I could see how an aged boomer (like me) just went boating, doing odd jobs, drinking and then noticing that the California of 1950 was changed. If you don't think about the social structure, you could look around and say "Gee more Mexicans--that MUST be why schools, streets, sidewalks, etc. have deteriorated. Rather than look at the policies that got us to exaggerated inequities in wealth, taxes, etc. Not condoning being so self centered, but it gave me a perspective. White supremacy is a potent drug.
We immigrated here when I was a child, and my dad was, in his own way, probably the most patriotic American I will ever know. He was so grateful that this country had taken us in when we left Belfast during the Troubles. Major purchases? Buy American, even when American cars were pretty underwhelming. He canvassed for John McCain when he was running against George W. Bush but 8 years later, he was all in for Barack Obama and got choked up when he won. (Picking an ignoramus like Sarah Palin for your VP will have that effect on people.). His response to the racism here was that of a man who had been a religious minority in his own colonized country. He donated to Physicians for a National Health Service because as a nephrologist, he was stunned by how sick patients could become in this wealthy nation because of a lack of access. He didn’t like Winston Churchill (we’re Irish), but he did like Churchill’s quote about how you can always count on Americans to do the right thing…after they’ve tried everything else. I think he truly believed that, and on this Fourth of July when the right thing sometimes feels like it’s slipping away, I really hope he was right.
As MAGA has shown us, we all still live in the contradictions of America's founding.
You can be fiercely proud of the Declaration of Independence, a radical proclaiming of human dignity and liberty, and also understand that the men who conceived of it were flawed and failed at providing that dignity and liberty to all people.
It has taken, and continues to take, so much fighting to live up to those principles. Back then, a handful of southern enslavers wanted to make sure the words "all men are created equal," rang hallow. Today, their intellectual descendants, MAGA, fight to keep babies born in America from becoming citizens.
It's so exhausting. But it is worth the fight.
You can love and criticize at the same time. That is the only way we will become better and actually live up to our founding ideals.
Just like that wonderful James Baldwin quote: “I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
You captured exactly how I feel. I drive by patriotically decorated houses and feel so cynical. I don't even want to put out my flag. Yet, I think about the service of my dad, his brother, and all the others who fought for this country. And, I feel guilty for my attitude. So, I'll put the flag out this morning; I will fire up the grill; and I'll watch the fireworks display. I will then look for more ways to fight this tired old clown.
Well said. Fight like hell, in big ways or small, to restore our democracy for all!
Happy July 4th, Jeff. Yesterday, waiting at a Costco table for my tires to be installed, I had a 45 minute conversation with a MAGA who sat down to eat his hot dog. (I was reading a book until he interrupted). Wide ranging convo until he asked where I lived--Whittier. He responded it used to be nice when he grew up in Whittier but now "there are so many Mexicans." I said, Yeah, that is part of the appeal; why don't you like Mexicans?" Ranting. So, then I asked how he liked what the President is doing. Shrug. Said he used to like him but now trump only cares about making himself richer. I asked several more questions and determined that yes, this MAGA is not tuned into the news--at all. Pox on me for thinking this but I had an inkling that the State Fair extravaganza in D.C. would be the Jonestown of MAGAs. Judging from the size of crowds, I'm guessing the Costco MAGA is not alone in his disillusionment. Peace and cheers. This too shall pass.
Good for you in engaging and speaking up! We need to do more of that - sharing perspectives.
It actually helped me. There are people who pay no attention to civics and do not engage in thinking. I could see how an aged boomer (like me) just went boating, doing odd jobs, drinking and then noticing that the California of 1950 was changed. If you don't think about the social structure, you could look around and say "Gee more Mexicans--that MUST be why schools, streets, sidewalks, etc. have deteriorated. Rather than look at the policies that got us to exaggerated inequities in wealth, taxes, etc. Not condoning being so self centered, but it gave me a perspective. White supremacy is a potent drug.
Luckily, all the foreign visitors came for the World Cup and reminded us that we have much to celebrate. It was turning out to be a deflating Semiquincentennial affair until they arrived. I am thankful for that and pleased we do not need to rely on Trump for the celebrations. https://www.collegetowns.org/p/world-cup-visitors-remind-americans-to-celebrat-our-semiquincentennial
250 years ago on July 4th we declared our independence from a tyrant and in November we have a chance to do it again. Let’s roll! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I love this. Fight the tyrant.
We immigrated here when I was a child, and my dad was, in his own way, probably the most patriotic American I will ever know. He was so grateful that this country had taken us in when we left Belfast during the Troubles. Major purchases? Buy American, even when American cars were pretty underwhelming. He canvassed for John McCain when he was running against George W. Bush but 8 years later, he was all in for Barack Obama and got choked up when he won. (Picking an ignoramus like Sarah Palin for your VP will have that effect on people.). His response to the racism here was that of a man who had been a religious minority in his own colonized country. He donated to Physicians for a National Health Service because as a nephrologist, he was stunned by how sick patients could become in this wealthy nation because of a lack of access. He didn’t like Winston Churchill (we’re Irish), but he did like Churchill’s quote about how you can always count on Americans to do the right thing…after they’ve tried everything else. I think he truly believed that, and on this Fourth of July when the right thing sometimes feels like it’s slipping away, I really hope he was right.
Happy 4th Jeff!
As MAGA has shown us, we all still live in the contradictions of America's founding.
You can be fiercely proud of the Declaration of Independence, a radical proclaiming of human dignity and liberty, and also understand that the men who conceived of it were flawed and failed at providing that dignity and liberty to all people.
It has taken, and continues to take, so much fighting to live up to those principles. Back then, a handful of southern enslavers wanted to make sure the words "all men are created equal," rang hallow. Today, their intellectual descendants, MAGA, fight to keep babies born in America from becoming citizens.
It's so exhausting. But it is worth the fight.
You can love and criticize at the same time. That is the only way we will become better and actually live up to our founding ideals.
Just like that wonderful James Baldwin quote: “I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”
Exactly.
You captured exactly how I feel. I drive by patriotically decorated houses and feel so cynical. I don't even want to put out my flag. Yet, I think about the service of my dad, his brother, and all the others who fought for this country. And, I feel guilty for my attitude. So, I'll put the flag out this morning; I will fire up the grill; and I'll watch the fireworks display. I will then look for more ways to fight this tired old clown.