​The middle of the night brings the urge to write a bit. The holiday weekend is upon us and we celebrate our Independence. The Google search for independent definition yields two results “free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority” and “not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence.” 

What we celebrate is not depending on our parent across the pond. How we celebrate was said by John Adams, “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations.” Fireworks went on sale weeks ago, and Monday night large portions of the country will light up the sky or watch as others do.
Some things to think about though…Who do we depend on for imports? Who do we depend on for cheap labor? It seems our once self-sufficient and abundant country is now inter-dependent on the rest of the world. I do not know if that is good or bad, it is just how it seems.
There are 89 other free countries in the world. Each has different laws, languages, religions, and cultures. Jim Jeffries said it well in his latest comedy special, “love beats hate.” Maybe not always, but it takes a lot of energy to hate and retaliate. We teach kids to walk away from bullies, don’t take it personally, and be the bigger person. I worry about the image sent to the next generation when their elders cannot seem to get along.
They say insanity is repeating the same thing over and over expecting different results. How many times have their been wars over religion? How many times have large portions of a population been imprisoned? How much longer do we have to keep repeating history?