I've always liked the 4th of July. As a kid, there is a certain special quality in the air on the Fourth. It's probably the most festive holiday of the year. We get fireworks no less. And yummy summer food all day long, picnic fare which is my favorite, and games and sparklers, and we get to stay up late at night to see the light show in the sky. Kinda like going to the drive-inn only not as late and cheaper. We get to be outside all day. And if you're lucky enough to have a pool, you are in it all day.

But this July 4th I'm not going to be in a festive celebratory mood. Nope. Not with the country like it is. Not with the policies that our country now stands for. Yes, we're going to have the traditional picnic fare and, yes, we are going to shoot off some firecrackers that were left over from last year but I'm not putting up red, white and blue anywhere. And not getting the flag out to fly. I don't like to feel this way. I have a lot of patriotic spirit but it's not going to show this year. My patriotic spirit will come back when there is something to be proud about again. I'll be thinking of all the soldiers over 'there' fighting an unnecessary war. And I'll be thinking about all the unfortunate Iraqi's and their country that is being occupied by us. Having our way of life stuffed down their throats whether they want it or not. We used to be a country that stood for honor and justice. Now we have joined the leagues of those in history who have tried to overpower the world.

So what are we celebrating exactly? That we have become tryants, dictators, all-knowing and all-seeing about what best for EVERYBODY? Sounds like it to me. Where we used to be admired and respected, we are now despised and hated. Spreading freedom, my ass.