Ess Said It Best

We celebrate our independence today. Our freedom. All that jazz.

Yet I wonder...how much freedom do we really have? Speak too loudly, and get thrown in jail, interrogated, or at least put on "the list." Put your actions where your mouth is, and you're even in more trouble. Queer people can't be out in the military, women can't make 100% of their choices concerning their body, men must register for selective service when they turn 18. Your phones can be tapped, your records can be gathered, and your home invaded.

Your vote counts. Unless...there are hanging chads, provisional ballots, road blocks in the way to your polling station, or electoral votes outweighing the popular vote.

How much freedom do we have? And when we celebrate our independence, how come we don't think about the independence and freedom we have taken from so many, both within our borders, and in other countries.

I like the US. It's a good mix of people; lots of diversity. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to college, to travel around the country, to learn and see and hear and experience.

But sometimes, I also hate it. I hate the hate, the mistrust, the fear, the anger, the blaming.

So as you celebrate our independence, think on how free we REALLY are, and what that freedom has cost us and other over the past few centuries.

Now go drink, go swimming (not in that order), and watch fireworks.

Happy 4th of July!

Ain't that the truth.