Independence!

How is the independence of a republic governed by its people going?

Hard to tell, but the feeling is not good. On the other hand, no one seems to be worrying about American fascism as much as being able to pay rent.

I spent yesterday trying to get some writing done when I was not sweating like a fool. I did not stay up for the fireworks. It has been almost 20 years since I enjoyed fireworks. It seemed I spent most of the day working on one post. I intend to spend today doing some writing on "Love Stinks", laundry, and who knows what.

I ran across this the other day: The Astounding Charles Over Mansion In Muncie (Indianapolis Monthly). I have been by this mansion without ever knowing what it was.

I got my rent paid and groceries on Thursday. We worked over to 2:15, and I did not get home until after 5. I was like a zombie for the rest of the day.

From this morning:

Austin Powers? The Godfather? Wild Things? Our writers on the franchises they would like to revive (The Guardian) - I am not sure about the wisdom of most of these, but I appreciate these kinds of lists.

Liberty is not license; a distinction we have forgotten.

Freedom without constraints: how the US squandered its cold war victory (The Guardian) being 5 years old does not mean that these three paragraphs ought not be considered:

As the Soviet Union passed out of existence, Americans were left not just without that enemy, but without even a framework for understanding the world and their place in it. However imperfectly, the cold war had, for several decades, offered a semblance of order and coherence. The collapse of communism shattered that framework. Where there had been purposefulness and predictability, now there was neither.

Winning the cold war brought Americans face-to-face with a predicament comparable to that confronting the lucky person who wins the lottery: hidden within a windfall is the potential for monumental disaster. Putting that money to good use while avoiding the pitfalls inherent in suddenly acquired riches calls for prudence and self-awareness – not easily demonstrated when the big house, luxury car and holiday home you have always wanted are yours for the asking.

Similarly, the end of the cold war might have given Americans pause, especially since the issues at hand were of considerably greater significance than homes and cars. At least in theory, the moment might have invited reflection on some first-order questions, such as: what is the meaning of freedom? What does freedom allow? What obligations does it impose? Whom or what does it exclude?

Being a counter-puncher, I can understand what not having an opponent - either a physical being or an idea - can do to one: it can leave a person in shambles. I certainly resemble a shamble.

We were too triumphant and did not think about what it meant to be an American as an American. Now, there is a subject for our writers.

 sch