In most of the United States Independence Day means picnics, games and outdoor activities. Here in Arizona, where it’s 114 degrees or so during the day, most of us stay indoors until dusk.
We are celebrating this year with a patriotic movie fest during the day. The new John Adams series from HBO, “Patriot,” the movie version of the musical “1776” and of course that classic “Independence Day” (you can’t beat Will Smith punching out an alien — “Welcome to earth. Now that’s what I call a ‘close encounter.'”)
That will be followed by a barbecue, with brats, burgers, potato salad, watermelon and our once-a-year tradition — homemade peppermint ice cream — and of course, fireworks.
At a time when it sometimes seems we Americans can’t agree on much of anything, I was encouraged to see a Rasmussen Poll this morning that 91 percent of Americans still believe we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
As long as those foundational principles still resonate with most Americans, we’ve still got a fighting chance. And for the United States of America, a fighting chance is all we’ve ever needed. Happy Independence Day.
