July 4, 2007

A display of flags commemorates the fallen military personnel in the Iraq invasion since 2003. The memorial was set up in front of a private home on State Line Road in Kansas City, Mo.

July 4: A Guest Message

The following is an Egads! message from a guest contributor:

When President Bush said the pledge of allegiance this Fourth of July, I hope he thought about the last three words of his pledge: “justice for all.”

Justice is not just about rights, it’s also about responsibilities. And the country recently was given two important lessons about justice and responsibility.

In the case of Paris Hilton, we learned that when the child of incredible wealth and privilege repeatedly acts irresponsibly, sometimes she must take responsibility for her actions. If we take her word for it, she’s a better person for the experience.

In the case of Scooter Libby, we learned that where a man repeatedly lies in a blatant attempt to thwart a national investigation into the disclosure of an undercover CIA agent’s identity, if he’s a close friend of the President, he will have to take no responsibility for his actions.

The Scooter Libby pardon was justice for no one. It was also a serious step backward in the President’s solemn pledge of allegiance to our fine country.

Happy Independence Day!

Heard on Morning Edition today:

-the poem “Cat” by a U.S. Iraq veteran, part of NPR’s report on writing and war (check it out here)
-this is the biggest beer-drinking day of the year in America

Heard at the HyVee liquor store yesterday:

Miller’s new “Chill” beer, made “chellada style” with a dash of lime and salt included (as advertised), was underwhelming to a liquor pro who said, “I didn’t like it. It could have used some lime and salt.”

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. I’m starting off in the ICU, hopefully ascending to a 3rd floor room, perhaps making my next chess move (thinking, thinking) and maybe, just maybe, stopping by some friend’s house (yet undetermined) for a little July 4th merriment…