The divided states of America.

Today was America's birthday, and the fact that it was raining and overcast here on the East Coast is quite apropos.


Lately it doesn't feel like there has been much to celebrate. Americans are now more divided than ever, and those who previously felt privileged are now playing the role of the perpetual victim. Hate is everywhere. 


Out in California there is a standoff between jingoistic "patriots" and immigrants who want to pursue happiness. The Mayor of the town is blaming the president, but he might want to take a closer look at his fellow citizens. Their actions do not represent American ideals. At least I hope not.


Sadly, there are two different Americas celebrating the 4th of July.


On one side you have folks who feel like this:


"I think the blacks have brought on most of their present-day problems themselves. They insult white people. I’ve heard it right here on your own show, some black called Karl Rove a “white boy.” And I don’t think that’s right. They’re attacking white people in the big cities and we’re supposed to put up with that kind of stuff, and like them, and say, “Well, come on into our neighborhood.” And how about the discussion of the black crime that goes on in this country? You people never will discuss that. And you won’t discuss discrimination against, uh, how about the Irish, they were discriminated against. So were the Mormons, the Italians." That was a white caller on CSPAN not Rush 's radio show. [Source]


And on the other side:


 "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice must mourn. What to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelly to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciations of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade, and solemnity, are, to him, mere bombast,fraud,deception,impiety,and hypocrisy-a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices, more shocking and bloody, than are the people of these United States, at this very hour" [Source]




So everyone has not yet bought it. But let's give it time. The country is still young.