Rant #3,868: The Pledge of Allegiance

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

I never had this day off when I was working full time, and I mean NEVER.

My "day of service" was working at my job, and even six years removed from that job, that is what I plan on doing today.

I will be sending in material to my workplace, and I will be writing/editing other stories too.

That is how I celebrate the day, and the man.

I work.

On Sunday, it snowed for a good part of the day here on Long Island, making me think of the warmer weather that is coming later this year.

We are still a ways away from July and August, but it keeps me warm thinking about it.

And this July will be a special one, as our country will be celebrating its 250th birthday on July 4.

Lots of events and other stuff is planned for this day--with an official name of "United States Semiquincentennial"--but I get the sense that this celebration is going to sabotaged with politics.

There was a big story in the local Newsday newspaper on Sunday about how Long Island will be celebrating the big anniversary, and honestly, I was a little dismayed at what I read.

It seems that various entities which have been created to promote our nation's birthday have a common goal: as described in the story, "to correct cherished but incorrect stories of the region's past that spread around the 200th anniversary in 1976, including some acts of patriotic heroism that were more legend than fact."

What I remember about the beauty of the Bicentennial celebration 50 years ago is that it was a real celebration, and it was as "un-political" as it could possibly be.

Now, we have these people saying that during the 250th celebration, they are going to "right wrongs," and you just know what that means--

Rather than present us with the "correct" history, that history will be twisted and turned into measures that are seen through 2026 eyes, not what really happened, even though the goal is to right those wrongs.

And with the Internet and social media, so much is twisted and turned anyway that even if this goal was a legitimate one, you just know that it will be obliterated by what imbeciles say on these social media networks.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the occasion of our nation's 250th birthday should not be used to further the gulf between us, but should be used as something of a rallying cry for all of us to get together, and get together as one--

One nation, one country, one day to celebrate our birthday.

Back in 1976, I was 19 years old, early in my college days, and working part time at a public relations company which promoted Long Island.

I don't remember July 4, 1976 being a day of politics.

I remember lots of promotions related to the day, lots of contests and great things to do.

I have to tell you, I honestly do not remember exactly what I did that day.

I might have gone to a ball game at either Shea Stadium or Yankee Stadium with friends--

My family and I could have had a simple barbecue--

But as I am thinking about it, I seem to remember seeing fireworks wherever I was, even though I am not a big fan of firecrackers and the like.

I just don't clearly remember, but what I do remember is that it was a day where politics were not that prevalent.

People weren't at each others throats as they are today about everything related to politics.

It was a very different time.

We, as a nation, seemed to be on the same page that day, even if it was just for the one day.

People handled politics differently back then, and I think they handled it the right way.

There is a time and a place for everything, and that includes the discussion of politics.

Today, anything and everything goes, and nothing is sacred anymore.

I just hope that the 250th birthday of the greatest country in the world is one that we, as a nation, can all rejoice in, at least for that one day.

However, that is a day that, unfortunately, our police forces and others are going to absolutely have to be on the highest alert, because you just know there are people and groups, from both without and within, whoch are planning to ruin such a day for everyone.

We cannot let that happen, and I am sure that measures are already--and have been--taking place to ensure that all Americans can celebrate the day and have fun doing it.

And let's keep politics out of it as much as possible.

Maybe this is one day we can put down the placards, curb our tongues, and just resonate together on this great occasion.

I certainly hope so.