A very different Fourth of July
Like the Grinch, the MAGA GOP is trying but failing, to steal our 4th of July via their Big Cruel Bill
TAT readers,
For those enjoying the holiday, I promise that this will be short. ;)
It’s been a Fourth of July of mixed and diametrically opposed feelings today here in San Antonio. Overall, the mood is somber. I took my oldest daughter and her wife who both teach overseas at the same school, to the airport after a most delightful few days of visiting. Of course, I miss them dearly when they are so far away. When I arrived home from the airport, I read the news about the flash flooding tragedy at a children’s summer camp, just west of San Antonio. My prayers will be for the families so horrendously impacted.
As sad as these two issues are, they pale in comparison to the real tragedy of the day, the signing of the, “Big Ugly Bill” passed yesterday by a cruel, fully corrupt, insurrectionist and unconstitutional Republican Party. No need to go into the details today, as that I’ve been writing essay after essay, on this and related topics, for years. For those interested, you can always find them in my archives for free.
We know the cruelty in the bill and it’s been hard to fathom that so many of our family and friends, blindly support the GOP. I never imagined any of them to be cruel, but actions don’t lie. We are in uncharted territory until we remove the GOP from our government. It doesn’t mean that we need all Democrats either, but not one elected, treasonous Republican, should remain. Knowing the impending suffering the GOP has greedily imposed on our nation’s least fortunate, so that more privilege goes to America’s new oligarch class, our friends support of cruelty is an easy case to make. This was the last straw in hanging a somber mood over me, that mirrors the two days of perpetual rain and southern humidity, that spawned the flash flood tragedy west of town.
After over a decade of fighting the MAGA GOP threat without any real depression, the signing of the big cruel bill, on Independence Day, threw me for a loop. As usual, I took to the keyboard as a way to express my feelings, despite the very rare sullen nature of them. Like most all of you, we are simply exhausted by being personally, publicly and nationally, worn down by a decade-long assault, from the, The four horsemen of the MAGA Apocalypse: Autocracy, Oligarchy, Christian Nationalism and Political Violence. After taking all of the above into consideration, I found a bit of relief, via one tiny decision.
As anyone knows that has read TAT for more than a couple of weeks, I follow family tradition, as a deeply invested patriot, knowledgeable of our history and government, thanks to my Dad, who taught these subjects. The decision I made, focused on “how do I support my nation” and still call attention to the savage insurrection by a soulless Republican Party?” As geeky as this may sound and probably not a big deal for most, I boldly strode out onto my front porch and turned my flag upside down. This simple act of defiance and willingness to warn my fellow citizens who support this administration, that I stand for our old Superman comics called, Truth, Justice and the American Way.
Here in deep red Texas, I’m certain to aggravate some of my neighbors. This is especially true regarding the fellow across the street, whose yard brandished large Trump signs during the election season, like a battery of howitzers, aimed at an enemy. I no longer adhere to the family tradition of not being politically vocal. I cannot afford to, nor can any American who wishes our republic to survive. My upside down flag tells the world, that I believe our nation to be severely distressed and deeply threatened. I hope my act of defiance, will in fact encourage others to break their vows of silence to similar family traditions, and do the same. Heck, I would love it if a nationwide movement of Americans, who opposes this team of insurrectionists, would join in this protest. Nothing terrifies a despot more, than a loud and popular, opposition movement.
Well my friends and fellow patriots, please keep believing in the values our nation was founded upon. Believe in our fellow citizens ability to unify and restore our republic to its rightful identity. Finally, believe in yourself, whenever exhaustion and depression tries to gain a foothold on your life. You are never alone, and especially when it comes to the true patriotism required to set things right. Just writing this short piece today, has as expected, greatly improved my mood.
As you celebrate this evening, be joyful about what really makes us Americans and what it took to achieve, sustain and protect our republic. This sets us far apart from the MAGA Republican party, that is working against all that we celebrate. As a former soldier, the strength of a team, far outstrips that of a single individual. True patriots are one team and MAGA can never top that. Today, let’s not only celebrate the birth of our nation, but the coming recovery of our republic from those who would destroy it.
Onward my friends,
Paul