July 4^th, 2004 – The Anti-Rant, Revisited

This week – in honor of the 4^th of July, I am going to go back to revisit and revise the rant I composed for July 4^th, 2003.  It is funny how so many things have changed in one year, while so many things have stayed the same.  During the past year, events have occurred that have caused many of us to doubt ourselves, our leadership, our military’s honor, and whether there is much humanity left in the human race.   As this 4^th of July is upon us, it is important to remember that each of us, while unique and amazing, is also imperfect and flawed:  our failings and setbacks should not really surprise any of us.   You can’t expect anything more from a perpetual work in progress.  I have a theory that if man ever did find his way back to the Garden of Eden someone would complain that it was too cold, too hot, too humid or too dry.  Face it, we are always going to find fault in ourselves and others; it is how we deal with these faults that makes us human and humane.   

A year ago, before many failures and few successes of our countries quest for a terror-free world were exposed and imposed on our national psyche, I reflected on what a great country the US really is.  And, it is.  I may be wary of my President and his policies, shamed by some of his practices, embarrassed by what some folks do in the name of patriotism, dismayed by the growing disparity between rich an poor, and bewildered by the apparent willingness of those who know the difference between right and wrong to turn a blind eye to some of the startling injustices going on.  All that being said, and if in court, even admitted into the official court record, truth be told, we are, as we were a year ago, in a world full of flawed countries, with flawed leaders and flawed citizens, still the best game in town. 

So, once again, I want to remind myself, and anyone who takes the time to read my rants, of some of the great things about America and Americans: 

- It is a great country that lets anyone, regardless of their political or economic power, speak their mind.  Say what you want about censorship, but the fact that Michael Moore has been able to sell tickets Fahrenheit 911 and make money of off criticizing and at time mocking the President of the United States is something to celebrate.  It is still worth noting that despite everything, we still have the capacity to be critical of those holding the reigns of power.  This is not true in many other places of the world.   While our mass media has been cowered into fear and timidity, there are those who still work to get out contrary messages, and their voices, though quieter than before, are still being heard. 

- Where but in America can a self-educated poor white man from Arkansas become President, and then, a best-selling author?  Regardless of what Clinton’s policies were, and whether or not you voted for him, his story is the embodiment of the American dream: a poor as dirt fatherless kid becoming President of the United States.   It is also a cautionary tale of how our own personal weaknesses and failings can undermine even our greatest achievements.

- Regardless of whether or not you like George Bush, the fact remains that he can only stay in power for another four years if we re-hire him.  (Please, please, please do not rehire him!)  Repeat after me:  he works for us.  This is our government, and if we every got off our duffs and really worked the system, we could control it.  Americans, if motivated, can do great things, including removing from power those who do not deserve to hold onto the job they have. 

- We are a country of amazing resources, charity and faith.  We are the nation that stormed the beaches of Normandy.  We are the nation that helped to liberate and then rebuild Europe.   We are a nation that as often as it does what is in its best interests, also looks out for the interests of others.  We can and often do great things for ourselves and others. 

- There are those who only focus on what makes each American different, looking to divide us and segment us:  They do not understand the strength that diversity provides.   We are a country made up of the world, which means we have the imagination, dreams and desire of the world at our disposal.  All we need to do is capture and harness all of the gifts we have as a nation, and we can truly make this country and this world a better place.  If we stop looking at me, and focus on the “we” once in a while, who knows what we can accomplish together.

- Despite our differences, there is so much that unites us as.   Black, White, Asian, Latino, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu . . . most of us are decent, tolerant people who would extend a hand to help another in need.  While at times we can be a crass, ignorant and selfish nation, we are, at our core made up of fundamentally good people.  The vast majority of us recoiled when we say the images of abuse coming at us from all directions, saying that is not us, that is not America.  We were horrified when we saw the consequences of intolerance perpetuation on Nicholas Berg, Paul Johnson and Kim Sun-il. 

- In the America, at least for now, religion is still a matter of personal choice.  You and I are free to worship as we see fit, and for that alone, we should all be thankful. 

- We as a people desperately want to believe in our leadership.  While the past forty years has challenged our faith and trust in our government, at the core, we want to believe that those in power want to do right by all of us.  This is both a blessing and a curse – because sometimes, we believe when we should criticize, and then, when we feel spurned, criticize when we should believe.  In some ways we are very naïve, almost childlike in our trust, and then our distrust.  While I believe our present leadership does not warrant the faith and belief some have in it, I do believe there will come a time where the American people will be mobilized by a true leader – someone wants what is best for all Americans.  When true leadership and political courage return to this country, we will be amazed by what we, as a people, can do.

- We are a nation of amazing, hardworking people who never get the credit they deserve – teachers, social workers, police officers, firefighters, nurses, enlisted men and women, those who just do their jobs, don’t get paid near enough, but keep on going.  They don’t get the tax breaks, the fat checks, the long lunches; they just do their job and do it well.  Then, the go home to their families and raise their children as best they can.  These hardworking, thoughtful people are the grace that makes this country great.  We should count ourselves as lucky to share a nation with them.

So as fireworks go off tonight, and we celebrate our independence from mother England over 200 years ago, remember that while we as a nation may be disagree, fight, shame, and embarrass each other, we are, at our core, one large family.  We are a sample of the best and the worst of what this world has to offer.  We can, and will, show how that the best, not the worst will triumph in the end, and that you can be humane and demonstrate humanity as we find a way to navigate the turns of the human race. 

            Happy Birthday One and All!