John Adams Is My Hero

Okely-dokely, here's the thing. I'm going to say something that I'm sure is going to get me in trouble. But I feel so very strongly about it. And since I feel so strongly and I know that I'm putting myself in an unpopular position, I think I ought to qualify the statements first. After I voiced my view(s) at a knitting party, it was suggested that I join the Double Ender Committee - if they'd even have me. Had I known that it would still be over two years since I said "If I were staying, I would", I would have offered them my warm body to help out. But I missed the boat on that one, yessiree. And before I go any farther, as well, let me say that I think the Double Ender Committee does a great job for no glory. They organize a parade, Fourth of July Festivities and a Public Fireworks Display and I'm pretty sure very few of us even know who they are (thanks Miss Connie!).

However...

Here's my deal: The Fourth of July parade already has a theme. I'll say it again so you don't think I'm hedging. The Fourth of July Parade already has a theme. I'm sure most people love the themes of "Your Favorite Movie" or "Your Favorite TV Show"...but, folks, I mean it. The Fourth of July Parade already has a theme. If you absolutely must have some sort of theme to tie the entries together, please, how about a patriotic theme? Say: Historical Monuments, Great Places in America (Like everybody wouldn't do BI, right?), Parks & Recreation, Freedoms and Liberties, What Makes America Great, Great Moments in American History, What Makes America America. These are appropriate themes for a parade that already has a theme. I don't mean any disrespect to the Double Ender Committee - like I said, they do a great service. But men and women put their livelihoods, their lives, their families lives on the line in order to assure a more perfect union. If you really gotta have these silly particular themes of Favorite Movies and such, might I suggest a Block Island Founders Day Parade?

Now, in this day and age, I realize that it becomes difficult to separate politics from government, but I hope that this one day a year we certainly can accomplish such a small favor. I'm not a huge fan of the current administration. In fact, I don't think I've been any fan of any administration since Reagan. I have a problem with the current political state in the country period. It seems to me, with some very notable exceptions (McCain, for one), that men and women are groomed almost from birth to be a part of the political machine. And these people aren't the kind of folks I want making decisions for me. I want the guy who made mistakes and then learned from them. I want the guy (and when I say 'guy' I'm really just using that as a gender exclusive pronoun) who smoked pot in college and then stopped because it was time to grow up. I want the guy who has worked his way through something, who has had to live without health insurance, who has faced an unwanted/unplanned pregnancy, whose wife works at the DMV and gave up her dreams of Interior Design to help feed the family. I want the guy who has gone through all of this and then made his life better through hard work, determination, and good networking. But I digress...what was really in the back of my mind was something to the effect that in this day and age of media savy politics, sound bytes and spins, a man like Abraham Lincoln, arguably the greatest President this country has ever elected, would never be elected President. He was unattractive, unkempt, gloomy and a man of uncompromising principal. He also was a great networker and good politician, but that's the territory.

This country was founded for political, personal and economic freedom. Our founding fathers were idealists. And our government was/is based on high ideals - the kind of ideals that very few people stop to appreciate more than once or twice a year. These ideals mean something. Something great. Something important. Something so very fundamental and yet so incredibly elusive to so many. They are defended by men and women throughout the ages who have offered the ultimate sacrifice. Our honor (and sometimes our dishonor) has been defended with blood and sweat and pride.

July 4th is our country's birthday. It is the day that all Americans are to take pride in the fact that while we may all sit on different sides of the fence politically, we are thankful that we are allowed education, freedom of speech, the right to behave rudely while visiting Islands, the right to choose our own paths and the right to financial prosperity. We can worship whatever religion we choose - or none at all. There are very few governments in this world that allow its citizens to regularly descend on the capitol in hoardes and are legally bound to protect the rights and safety of those hoardes.

My relations past have served in the Navy and Army. I have relatives present who also serve in the Navy, Army and Marines. I have friends in the Reserves who, several at 40 years old, proudly honor their obligations even though some have lost businesses and spouses.

It is my personal view (and does not reflect the opinion[s] of Blogspot, my husband or anybody else in this known universe) that a Fourth of July Parade is fun, exciting and filled with candy and water balloons. But it should also be a hallmark of patriotism and honor for those who sacrificed lives and livelihoods so that our nation could be one, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Anyway...that's just what I think.

A Hymn to Her

(And if you can tell me what musical the title's a take off from...I'll buy you a beer!)

Well, I was going to expound on my favorite summertime pet peeve. While there's lots of summertime pet peeves, and they usually have much to do with traffic, mopeds, rude people, congestion and a lack of common courtesy, I actually have a favorite Block Island isolated pet peeve. But this, too, shall wait.

I'm not feeling terribly peevish right now? Why? I've just spent another fun Sunday down at St. Ann's Episcopal Church. (Yes, indeedy, I did say fun) I'm not Episcopal and goodness knows I can think of lots of other fun things to do on Sunday...but let me tell you, folks, things are cookin' down there! Rev. Terry Matthews is young (ish), energetic, accessible and has something to say. She is such a breath of fresh air.

I had sworn off attending church - again!- because...well, let's just say that if I'm going to give up my Sunday morning to attend church, I don't want it to be a drain on my soul or my pocketbook. There are some churches where you walk in and immediately wonder how long you'll be there and your mind starts wandering to what you'll do when you get home and what you could be doing if your wife/mother/girlfriend/boyfriend didn't drag you to this place and you don't even believe in organized religion anyway! Then there's tiny little St. Ann's. And it is tiny. If you don't get there a few minutes early, you're not getting a seat. (Don't worry, they go to two services starting June 19th - but it was SRO today!) It's one of the most lighthearted liturgical services I've ever been to. The first four Sundays, I couldn't understand a single bit of what was going on. But I was truly amazed at how many people just smiled and said "just wing it" or "it doesn't matter, you get the gist". I don't know how many actual Episcopaleans actually attend, but I'm seeing a lot of faces from around the Island. Young and old. There's no Sunday School, but there is a coffee hour afterwards where (weather permitting) everybody stands on the deck, eats pastries and drinks coffee and these people really seem to genuinely like being there!

Not to mention, the music rocks. Well, darn near close. Could it be that they have a former musical theatre accompanist/dueling rock and roll piano bar player front and center with her beloved keyboard, Quasimodo? Or the choir of one: George who works at the Harborside and desperately wants to stay out here - because he's young and idealistic which is really what we need more of.

Look, if you're not into organized religion...don't care. Do your thing and be happy at it. For me, I like the fellowship. I like the people. I really like the music. I like the message Rev. Terry's giving out - I can't really call it preaching, it's more like leading. But if you're looking for something a lot less stuffy than the usual, and you want to get your soul uplifted and take away something that you can use during the week, come check it out.

And sing. Loud.