The Shield of Achilles: Happy 4th

Friday, July 04, 2008

Happy 4th - Some not so happy

If you are an American, then you already know exactly what the 4th of July is. If you are not, go ahead and click on the photo above and read the document.

It's ironic that a nation that we fought such a bitter war against 232 years ago, is now the closest ally we have on the planet. There are even British Army instructors in my military course here in Arizona, brought here on a regular exchange program. Just one small illustration of how deep our alliance goes.

Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying the day. Unfortunately, as always, there are a few that are not enjoying it so much (warning - foul language):

Juan Cole writes an open poem/letter (presumably to President Bush). Here is a sample:

Your Fourth of July is blood for oil.

My Fourth of July is the pure sunbeam of peace.

It doesn't really improve from there. I am curious though - where is there any evidence that the current wars are for oil? I wish we were stealing oil - might be a bit cheaper for us then. I like his "sunbeam for peace" lyric. although I'm finding it hard to understand how a sunbeam has anything to do with it other than some neo-1960s LSD imagery; a true relic from the Woodstock era.

The People's Voice writes a "declaration of independence from the United States of America", complete with a doctored photo of dead children in front of Capitol Hill. Is it OK for me to question their patriotism?

Ken Layne at Wonkette shows his classy side:

We interrupt your Fourth of July with some Breaking News: Jesse Helms was apparently still alive, and now he’s dead, hooray! He was a sour troll and a bigot, and it’s a testament to every rotten thing about this country that for a quarter century, he was one of the most powerful people in American politics.

The tags for this post include "motherfuckers", "see you in hell", "sack of shit", and "trash".

Note: I wasn't a fan of Republican Jesse Helms either, but he was a US Senator, and this kind of language is despicable. Especially when you consider that Wonkette (like most liberal bloggers) didn't react this way even at the death of truly evil men like Saddam Hussein, and even joked about mourning for him.