Fifty years ago, I lived in New York City and watched with amazement, joy and awe “Operation Sail” as the magnificent tall ships sailed up the Hudson River in New York Harbor. The fireboats streamed red-, white- and blue-tinged water from their hoses, there was excitement and pride in our country and in celebrating 200 years of independence. Little did I know back then that my to-be-husband (I met him two years later) was in a small rowboat under the Verrazano Bridge watching the thrilling display of our history, heritage and patriotism. The President (a Republican, I might add), toured Valley Forge and Independence Hall. The American Freedom Train, 26-cars long, toured the Lower 48 for 21 months, exhibiting for the nation at large and the general public historical artifacts and treasures, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution! TV networks broadcast “Bicentennial Minutes” every day and America celebrated. The fireworks were unparalleled. The excitement was palpable. International dignitaries, “royal” and “common” alike, came to celebrate along with what was perceived to be the greatest country in the world.
With parties, parades, picnics, flags, the joys of freedom, camaraderie and the hope for our united future, America celebrated. It was fun! It was restorative. The period prior to the celebrations had been tumultuous – we had “ended” the Vietnam “War”; we had recovered from the treasonous acts of a president who had the “decency” to resign after Watergate; we had experienced the Civil Rights Movement and much, much more. And we had (and still have) a long way to go. But the Bicentennial celebrations represented unity. There were no Republicans or Democrats, just people, Americans and immigrants, united and patriotic, expressing their love of their country and their promised (so they thought) legacy for future generations as they celebrated their ancestors. It was a national rally of pride – we were proud to be Americans. And there was not one single act of violence or politically charged incident that imposed itself on the joy of the nation. Washington D.C. was our nation’s capital – ablaze with decorations on The People’s House and throughout the city.
Fast forward – in the blink of an eye we are celebrating our 250th birthday. Or are we? Thanks to one man and the minions who worship him, the People’s House has been destroyed – literally and figuratively. It has become gawdy, grotesque and embarrassing, all at the hands of a tacky wannabe king whose ego knows no bounds. He DARED to have a military Honor Guard stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to showcase the entrance of a bunch of WWE exhibitionists, one of whom, in the ring, provided us with a clear picture of this administration’s racism. He DARED to deface the actual People’s House by destroying, without permission, the East Wing. The gold leaf…the paved over rose garden…the wall of Presidents with his commentary…the insults, the censorship of our media, the need for worship…the removal of anything and anyone who does not bow down to him…the list goes on and on. The transformation of OUR country to idolize, memorialize and placate this narcissistic child (although that is an insult to children) who needs to plaster his name and face on everything, regardless of law, regardless of tradition, regardless of decency, and in NO way consistent with “patriotism” or love of country. He knows no love other than for himself.
Dear reader – I could go on and on, but you know the facts. You know that the country no longer demands our patriotism as it has become the country of Christian Nationalism. The regression, the obliteration of our planet, our history, our values – all made possible by a conman who snowed 70 million people because he gave their hatred, ignorance and bigotry permission to hatch, to become acceptable. No, not acceptable – to become the new law of the land. Sadly, the flag itself has become a symbol of this sad and hateful human being and I, for one, as festive as I was fifty years ago, will not be flying one. I will not be celebrating. I will continue to do my part in teaching my descendants what the country used to stand for…how it was fifty years ago when it turned 200…how I hope and pray that somehow we can reverse this debauchery, this ignorance, this violation of every one of the Ten Commandments the so-called Christian Nationalists say they stand by. WWJD? I can’t even imagine his despair.
Our future is at stake. We have become a global embarrassment – led by this clown who world leaders laugh at and berate. But we don’t have to be the monkeys in his circus. We are now, once again, fighting for the freedoms that we thought our forefathers guaranteed us. All because of one little man with an ignorant, over-inflated ego, enabled by the cowardice of the rest of the government to shut him down, to turn him off, to practice the balance of power as DICTATED BY OUR LAWS.
Our ancestors fought with muskets for their freedom…we have to fight against this new tyranny with words and votes.
This time around there will be no flags, no fireworks, no buntings and no barbecues…I will be watching British TV rather than the embarrassing tributes to the man and not the country.