kate_schaefer | Independence Day Rituals

For many years, I've read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States on Independence Day. Some years I read the Declaration aloud; some years I just read it to myself. I never read the Constitution aloud, as it's a bit long for that. Some years I let the NPR Morning Edition reading stand in for my own. I really like hearing the late Red Barber's voice again for a few lines.

Every time I read the Declaration, I am struck by some different aspect of it. In recent years, I've thought more and more of how King George's offences stack up against current government actions. In the US, there's no comparison. We don't live in a militarized state; our elections occur, our representatives meet, laws are duly passed and enforced.

I had originally intended to go on from there to an extended meditation on how we've imposed far worse conditions on the inhabitants of Iraq than those which drove our ancestors to rebellion (and yes, I had ancestors in that rebellion), but I haven't the heart to go on with it.

The fireworks were nice.