A Truly American Moment

Our town held the Fourth of July fireworks this evening, instead of on Monday night. In past years, they had been held a week or so later, so we could literally get more bang for our bucks. Still, it is much nicer to celebrate on the correct weekend, if not the correct day.

I live about a mile away from the fairgrounds where the fireworks display is staged. So my neighbors and I watch from the parking lot of our building.

This evening, I found myself watching with an immigrant family that moved in several months ago. I don't know them well, we haven't talked very often; so I'm not sure where they came from. It doesn't really matter. I felt honored to share this celebration of the American dream with them this evening.

My beau has remarked that I have a rather patriotic family. My parents were married on Flag Day. My birthday is the day after Veterans Day. My brother's birthday the day before Independence Day (and I still have to wrap his present)!

My maternal ancestors came to this country at the beginning of our history. Some likely fought in the Revolutionary War; others came perhaps just a bit later. My father's family arrived from Europe around the early 20th century. So as I sat with my neighbors and their visiting friends, we collectively represented the diverse history of American immigration. And I'm sure a fair amount of patriotism across the generations.

As the two youngest children cheered when their favorite colors exploded overhead, I thought about the American Dream, and our values and hopes for our nation. I was happy my companions were able to be here and to pursue that dream for themselves. And I was proud that our nation and its wonderful diversity; a gift that we should always welcome and cherish. As the motto on our national seal proclaims: E Pluribus Unum--out of many one. Our diversity and tolerance thereof is what makes our nation strong; it's what make our nation great.

And our darkest days have been when our differences have been stifled, or when they have divided us. May we always remember that the American Dream must be true for each and every one of us.

Amd may we, as her citizens, continue to strive to make it so. Then may our flag forever fly over the land of the free.

As I write this, I am very grateful and happy that I was born here, and do not need to leave my home to pursue my dreams and goals. I am proud to be an American, and to perform the duties of good citizenship. And tonight, I celebrate the promise and potential of our great nation.

Happy 229th America. And many, many happy immigrants. And many, many happy returns.

Distant Voices: Or Up Close and Very Personal

"Bush's speech does not change anything for the Iraqi people and does not meet their needs for water, electricity, transportation and security from car bombs," said Kurdish legislator Mahmoud Othman. "I think the Iraqi people do not care about the speech."

We've heard a lot about the American soldiers and casualties in Iraq, the various opinions and findings of politicians, pundits and public, and the ever-present, ever-changing poll numbers. But in our media's usual myopic USA-centric view, we seldom hear about Iraq and the Iraqi people.

Recently, we've heard about Iraqi military and police recruits, and members of the Iraqi government. And we hear the numbers after each insurgent attack, a daily body count. But aside from occasional stories about training Iraqi soldiers and police officers, we rarely hear or read anything about Iraq and her citizens, and their opinions and hopes for their country.

As today's green button link shows, Iraqis have mixed feeling about the American presence in their country. As this Associated Press report shows, the Iraqi infrastructure, which was deemed so important after Saddam was ousted from power, remains in a shambles. Iraqis face frequent shortages of fuel, electricity, and drinking water, not to mention danger from the insurgent attacks. And while some are the foreign insurgents so often blamed by the Administration for the ongoing civil conflict, most of the insurgents are home-grown; their neighbors, friends, and relatives.

Also lost in our collective navel-gazing are the numbers of Iraqi casualties since the war began. Estimates range from 22582 to 25590 Iraqi deaths, nearly all of them civilians; men, women, and children.

For the most recent numbers and information, visit:

http://www.iraqbodycount.net/

The Iraqi people are the foundation on which this fledgling democracy will be built. Their opinions, dreams, suffering, and sacrifice matter a great deal more than the President's approval rating. They are the building blocks for the government Iraq will create. And in the end, they alone will determine the success or failure of Bush's goal for a democractic Iraq.

Iraq is their home. The war is happening in their own backyards. For them the stakes are higher, and much more personal.

This is their future we're talking about, half a world away.

So why aren't they part of the media picture?

Hearing Voices: Or Keep Up the Good Work, Fellow Citizens!

I haven't posted in over a week. Life took me on a few detours, but mostly happy ones. And while I was away from this keyboard, some happy things were happening in Washington.

The most noticeable was the House voting to restore funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. The American citizens spoke out, and Congress is listening; and responding.

Congress is discussing environmental and alternative energy issues, and asking questions about the war in Iraq and how the Administration is handling it. The Bolton nomination remains stalemated.

And even His Resoluteness blinked and dropped his private investment accounts from his Social Security reform bill. The accounts will remain, in a seperate Social Security bill; but he has finally accepted, up to a point, that the American people just aren't interested.

Our collective voices are being heard, so keep speaking up and speaking out. It's working!

As the green button link show, Bush's poll numbers are dropping. Hence his speech this evening to try to rally American support for the war; another photo-op moment speaking to troops at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

For an Administration and Party that complain so much about Hollywood values, they sure do like to create these movie-like moments. Do they think we need a pep rally?

We support the troops, Mr. President. That's why we're asking questions. That's why we want answers. That's why we want to know when our soldiers are coming home.

The President's speech is just more of the same resoluteness that created the quagmire in the first place. The People want answers. They want the truth. And instead we get the same reassurances and rhetoric.

And Bush might find that the polls show the message is stale. Before, and during the early stages of the war, his rosy-colored plans made it sound as if we'd march into Baghdad, overthrow the bit bad dictator, hand them a new constitution and democracy would reign supreme in Iraq. And they'd all live happily ever after.

The reality is that even some Iraqis who are glad that Saddam is gone, still resent the presence of foreign troops in their country. Wouldn't we? Didn't we? That's basically what the American Revolution was about.

We toppled their totalitarian government, but left only chaos and civil war in its wake. It will sort itself out eventually. But we won't bully them into compliance. And the government they eventually choose for themselves might not be exactly what Bush and Company had in mind.

In the meantime, we stuck helping them try to put their country back together. And yes, some progress is being made. But the insurgency continues. And The People know that means a very long, dangerous haul for our American troops.

The People have found their voice, Mr. President. And so we want truth. We want a plan.

Or to put it in pep-rallyese: We want answers. We want answers...