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What's Still Great
Painting A Picture
Why America is still worth celebrating.
Like other tabloids of its kind, the Independent Weekly out of Raleigh, NC mixes concert reviews, movie listings, and “escort service” ads with self-consciously progressive opinion columns. Its editorial position on most issues can be summarized as Sticking it to the Man, unless doing so would imperil the political future of a professional Democrat.
In the last week of June, a striking photo of a green-eyed woman who appeared to be wearing an American flag like a head scarf introduced an essay by a staff writer who spent nearly 1,500 words thumb wrestling with the question, “Whose America?” More specifically, wrote Bob Geary, “The treatment of Muslims, gays and immigrants is something to consider as the Fourth of July approaches and we prepare to celebrate America’s — America’s what? Our existence? Is that all we’ve got?” You can guess the answer from the way the question was framed, and the fact that the writer conflated religion, sexual orientation, and legal status into one super-sized victim group. Perplexed by the popularity of conservative politicians, and (like other progressives, including E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post) unwilling to credit fellow Americans with a proper understanding of our country’s Founding Fathers or their genius documents, Geary suggested that our existence might be the only thing worth celebrating on the 235th birthday of these United States.
This land is your land; this land is my land — but, Geary wrote, the “steady progress of rights” through U.S. history has “always been resisted by extreme right-wingers” who disingenuously claim to be preserving the American way of life.
Get a load of the bogeyman in that accusation: You have to be a special breed of partisan to forget that enthusiasm for progressive solutions to social problems places obstacles of its own before the attainment of a more perfect union.
Geary would have us believe that conservatives in the limelight make it hard for normal people to find the good in this country. In other words, freedom of religion sounded great until it gave “gay bashing” Christians like Rep. Michele Bachmann a following. Similarly, self-government apparently lost some of its cachet when candidates like Herman Cain became its most eloquent defenders.
Writers for “Indy Week” are not alone in thinking like that, or trembling on the knife edge of despair because attractive and accomplished people refuse to toe the party line. No wonder a recent Harvard University study found that July 4th parades energize only Republicans. Hey, kids! People who question the patriotism of their left-leaning neighbors might have a point! If word of that gets out together with stories about how it cost $7 million per household in federal stimulus funds to extend broadband wireless access to parts of Montana, then by golly, it’s “Katie bar the door” to Democrat strategy meetings next year.
It’s best to take people who say they are at a loss for reasons to celebrate America’s Independence Day at their word. “Give me liberty or give me death!” probably sounds primitive to them, especially when the dominant calendar has Patrick Henry’s eighteenth-century version of “We’ll put a boot in your ass; it’s the America way” dancing cheek-to-cheek with the more cosmopolitan Bastille Day slogan of “liberty; equality; fraternity!” Nevertheless, appearances deceive: it wasn’t Virginia’s Tidewater rebels or the Massachusetts Minutemen of colonial times who introduced their countrymen to a reign of terror.
In spite of her faults (and let’s be serious: Roe v. Wade made America harder on fetuses than on gay people), there are many reasons to celebrate the United States. What our progressive friends need is a list as keen-eyed as the red-tailed hawks that roost near North Carolina’s capitol building, and as sweet as the way Winston-Salem chanteuse Martha Bassett sings.
Let’s start with music. We’ve given the world everybody from Rory Block, Maybelle Carter, and Sam Cooke to Muddy Waters and Townes van Zandt. Even lesser-known artists mine musical traditions as rich as any other on the planet. That ought to count for something.
If you’re going to catalog American offenses against “social justice,” then simple fairness suggests that you ought also to remember Nobel Prize counts and Americans like Norman Borlaug, whose contributions to food production continue to save millions of lives worldwide.
Happily, our national ethos of helpfulness does not confine itself to particular skill sets. Cartoonist Charles Schulz understood that, which is why Snoopy was the best player on Charlie Brown’s baseball team, but all the kids got to play. Similarly, on July 5, USA Today ran a story noting that “Young Americans take center stage in Japan tsunami cleanup.” There’s more where that came from: Last year’s rescue of trapped Chilean miners owed much to American help.
Although American technology is often more impressive than American values, many progressives make the dignity-denying mistake of judging their fellow citizens only by the worst of the things that we have done or are doing. The problem with that approach is that valid measurement of any human endeavor should also reflect the better angels of our nature, or what C.S. Lewis used to call “the weight of glory.” In other words, only a top-drawer party-pooper would hesitate to applaud a nation responsible for the Fender Stratocaster, the Jarvik artificial heart, the screen door, the T130 tophead drill, the chocolate chip cookie, and the Post-It note.
Progressives typically dismiss talk of American exceptionalism as mindless, but it’s hard to get around the fact that ours remains the only country in the world founded on an idea, as opposed to an ethnicity, a culture, or a territory.
The Today show recently aired a story about a refugee from Sudan who learned English watching Seinfeld reruns and just graduated from Columbia University with a degree in biomechanical engineering. His story is inspiring but not unique. That self-government does not always yield the results that progressives appreciate is no reason to be peevish about American accomplishments.
About the Author
Patrick O’Hannigan is a writer in North Carolina.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (33) | Leave a comment
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Appleby| 7.11.11 @ 6:59AM
Boy, these whiners have to dig deeply to find things to complain about now! Does anybody really have time to pay attention to them?
Randolph G.| 7.11.11 @ 11:33AM
As a lifelong conservative, I have a few negative things to say about the way July 4th is celebrated.
First of all, fireworks are too expensive and dangerous. What do we get with a fireworks display? A kaboom, a few sparks, and a puff of smoke. And in my small city, accompanying the fireworks was an amplified rock band that did nothing but assault our ears with screaming electric guitars. My city spent over $100,000.00 for this noisy, rowdy pyrotechnical effect.
After the fireworks, the bars were full of drunks getting even more stoned while "celebrating the 4th."
On our way to our car, we passed a young man--obviously drunk-- puking in the street. my wife commented that most of the celebrants resembled soccer hooligans, and I concurred.
The majority of flag-waving, "patriotic" attendees at a July 4th celebration are not necessarily celebrating the gifts of our founding fathers.
Oh no. They are celebrating the right to get drunk and act like street trash. July 4th--you can have it.
So you AmSpec readers can keep waving those flags while stooping over to get another beer out of your cooler. Most of you are already morbidly obese--another American characteristic--so keep guzzling those beers, and show your patriotism, especially on the sacred 4th of Joolie.
Drunken Sailor| 7.11.11 @ 11:53AM
I did wave my flag and grab another beer thank you. Then again, none of us got drunk, we spent the holiday as a big family affair at my parents and fortunately there wasn't a single morally superior stick in the mud, like you to bring everyone down. Must be a blessing to be as perfect as you.
Carlton| 7.11.11 @ 1:07PM
No, none of your family "got drunk." You just had a nice buzz on throughout the day and evening.
Like so many others who celebrated with family by consuming alcohol, I hope you did not get behind the wheel of your car and drive home.
And while we're thanking God for the 4th, let's remember to thank him for the buzz that beer gives us on each and every social occasion.
f 'in'| 7.11.11 @ 1:10PM
Beer? Gawd bless America's Budweiser Premium Beers! Can't get enuff of them.
Drunken Sailor| 7.11.11 @ 1:58PM
Designated drivers all the way around. Non alcholic drinks of their choice provided by us beer drinkers. Those that came stag and drank either caught a ride home or had their choice of spare bedrooms. To many cops, nurses in the family to let something like that slide.
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:50PM
Bud? *gag*
masly | 7.12.11 @ 2:00AM
Consider, for example, the liberty-inspired American Revolution and its consequences vs. the French Revolution and its equality-inspired consequences.
I am a 28 years old doctor, mature and beautiful.and now I am seeking a good man who can give me real love , so i got a username Andromeda2002 on--s'e'ek'c'ou'ga'r.c óm--.it is the first and best club for y'ounger women and old'er men, or older women and y'ounger men,to int'eract with each other. Maybe you wanna ch'eck 'it out or tell your friends!
TrueBlue| 7.12.11 @ 12:41PM
You realize of course that alcohol is why the Middle Ages had such a high survival rate right? Used to be the only stuff you could drink without dying of all the fun nasty stuff that inhabited pre-filtered/treated water.
Appleby| 7.11.11 @ 1:36PM
Thank you, Carrie Nation. Here's your hatchet; what's your hurry?
I personally love fireworks. I'd rather have $100,000 spent on fireworks on the 4th than have them wasted on a week's worth of expense account dinners for lobbyists and congressmen.
LaShaundra| 7.11.11 @ 6:20PM
a hunred thousand would buy a lot of playground equipment for the chirrun
Dan Mathewson| 7.11.11 @ 7:35PM
Let's not forget what John Adams said; "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
Alan Brooks| 7.11.11 @ 2:01PM
Bachmann does have a chance at being POTUS; she might win personally- but she wont reduce government. It has all become rote: placate the Right, and after being elected spend as much funds as before,
it is feel-good for the Right- a comforting illusion that something is being 'accomplished'.
TrueBlue| 7.12.11 @ 12:44PM
I request proof of any accusations like that. And don't base it on actions of people that the current group are not involved with (having an R next to your name does NOT make you a republican OR conservative).
POST American| 7.11.11 @ 7:52AM
----'STILL'------?
One and all BEWARE that Tavistock Institute demoralization soft-programming.
----AS those non-hypnotized in Britain
well know ---it's a nation killer.
Groad| 7.11.11 @ 10:01AM
Somebody beam this guy back up to his mothership. Send him back to the Twilight Zone.
Bill| 7.11.11 @ 11:02AM
That pesky Tavistock Institute again! They have their fingers in 'way too many pies, don't they?
Alan Brooks| 7.11.11 @ 3:24PM
Did Dee See POSTamerican neglect to mention the Queen of England selling heroin processed with fluoridated water to the Jesuits and the Illuminati? Oh, and the Bilderbergers! musn't forget them.
Alan Brooks| 7.11.11 @ 3:28PM
this is the lowdown:
Lee Harvey Oswald sold heroin
to
Vito Genovese
who
funded the Bilderbergers
who
bought a Freemason temple...
PsychoDad| 7.11.11 @ 10:51PM
which was run by the Jesuits?
Dan Mathewson| 7.11.11 @ 7:40PM
Nah, this is Dr. Payne otherwise known ass Mr. Doubletalk. http://www.youtube.com/user/Mr.....EjlXaBQFq8
William L. Gensert| 7.11.11 @ 7:59AM
The “steady progress of rights” in America has “always been resisted by extreme right-wingers.” Mr. Geary would do well to note that it was the Democratic Party, which opposed civil rights legislation. In fact, wasn’t it Robert Byrd, late Senator of West Virginia, former member of the Klan, recently renowned as the 60th vote for Obamacare, who filibuster the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
TrueBlue| 7.12.11 @ 12:45PM
Shhh, you can't brink facts into this argument!
Robert Pinkerton| 7.11.11 @ 9:36AM
When I was a child these six decades ago, my Dad (a mustang officer) told me that the reason why America is exceptional, is that the privileges of "aristocrats" elsewhere in the words are the ordinary civil rights of common equal citizens here.
LIBERTY: The clear space between the outermost boundary of the compulsory and the outermost boundary of the forbidden, within which one may act or not, as one wills. I respectfully submit that that is most important of all.
Bill| 7.11.11 @ 11:00AM
Interestingly, in the "social justice" sphere, it turns out that poll after poll shows that the righties of our fair nation contribute far more to it than the lefties do.
The lefties seem to think that "social justice" is to be carried out only by government, and if that means the rights of some people must be cut back in order for others to be favored, so be it. Righties don't tend to think that way.
Still, "extreme" right-wingers probably have advocated cutting back on the rights of the people. Lately, "extreme" left-wingers have been holding their own on the cutting-back-on-rights front, though.
Righties tend to believe in liberty, while lefties tend to believe in equality. I've been pondering the implications of this difference over the recent years. There are some interesting conclusions that can be drawn in the "social justice" sphere.
John Daniel| 7.11.11 @ 1:36PM
"You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to become a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the direct end of your government." P. Henry, 5 June 1788
John Daniel| 7.11.11 @ 1:36PM
"You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to become a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the direct end of your government." P. Henry, 5 June 1788
Bill| 7.11.11 @ 1:39PM
Consider, for example, the liberty-inspired American Revolution and its consequences vs. the French Revolution and its equality-inspired consequences.
POST American| 7.12.11 @ 12:24AM
"Still worth celebrating--" = Tavistock speak
programming for 'The party's over, but hey,
let's have one more for the road'.
KEY subtext --"The party's OVER"
REALLY kiddies, get off your Rockefeller meds,
pornography n' sports n' franchise slums.
REALLY, REALLY do the homework.
REALLY------------------------------------------------
weddingdress | 7.12.11 @ 5:13AM
"You are not to inquire how your trade may be increased, nor how you are to become a great and powerful people, but how your liberties can be secured; for liberty ought to be the direct end of your government." P. Henry, 5 June 1788
Johnny| 7.12.11 @ 5:30AM
The people in this great country who believe that we have nothing left to celebrate only need to look elsewhere for education as to what we have. Learn about other countries and their lack of liberty and human rights, then complain about what you don't have!
Occam's Tool| 7.13.11 @ 3:21AM
Best. Damn. Country. Ever.
How can you tell Europeans from Americans? Simple: ask the following---"Hey! You a peon?"
Occam's Tool| 7.13.11 @ 3:28AM
A note on Spirits:
"The U. S. S.. Constitution (Old Ironsides), as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. She carried no evaporators (i.e. fresh water distillers).
However, let it be noted that according to her ship's log, "On July 27, 1798, the U.S.S. Constitution sailed from Boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water, 7,400 cannon shot, 11,600 pounds of black powder and 79,400 gallons of rum."
Her mission: "To destroy and harass English shipping."
Making Jamaica on 6 October, she took on 826 pounds of flour and 68,300 gallons of rum.
Then she headed for the Azores , arriving there 12 November.. She provisioned with 550 pounds of beef and 64,300 gallons of Portuguese wine.
On 18 November, she set sail for England . In the ensuing days she defeated five British men-of-war and captured and scuttled 12 English merchant ships, salvaging only the rum aboard each.
By 26 January, her powder and shot were exhausted. Nevertheless, although unarmed she made a night raid up the Firth of Clyde in Scotland . Her landing party captured a whisky distillery and transferred 40,000 gallons of single malt Scotch aboard by dawn. Then she headed home.
The U. S. S. Constitution arrived in Boston on 20 February 1799, with no cannon shot, no food, no powder, no rum, no wine, no whisky, and 38,600 gallons of water."
Now I've heard people say this story isn't true. But the first time I heard it was in formal lecture at TCU, from the LBJ chair of American History, Paul F Boller, Jr., a Best Selling Author in the field of American History.