Independence Day

It’s Fourth of July and a perfect day to be confused.

On the one hand, I started the day by listening to the song “Independence Day” by Bruce Springsteen (YouTube here) and ended up thinking of the Fourth of July in 2002, when I sat on The Mall in Washington DC and discussed the values of the Declaration of Independence versus terrorism with some friends. As y’all know, I admire the US of A in many ways and if you understand Swedish, you have to listen to this hilarious radio-program about two guys driving through the US in their early twenties (Filip Hammar & Fredrik Wikingsson som sommarpratare, lyssna här, hur kul som helst).

On the other hand, we have had an administration (George W. Bush et al) for six and a half years; an administration that has disrespected the values of the Declaration of Independence, notably through the ”war on terror”, the infamous war in Iraq, but also nitty gritty dirty GOP-politics, like the recent pardoning of the felon Lewis ”Scooter” Libby. For a summary of how Bush betrayed what I think America stands for, watch this YouTube-clip: ”Abba explains the War”. [Thanks, Lane]

In short, a big hurray for what the US of A ought to stand for, including HBO, Sopranos, The West Wing, Springsteen, Clinton, Al Gore, JFK, RFK and MLK, Ani DiFranco etc etc. And a major ”nay” to US imperialism and the current administration; remember to always stay out of the Bushes.