Independence Day, Sussex County.
One of the first things I did today was go to Wal-Mart. Considering it was almost two in the afternoon, it was kindof pathetic for me to be leaving the house for the first time. Riding down the road, my mom wondered out loud "I hope Wal-Mart's open on the fourth of July." Sitting next to her I wanted to blurt out "Of course Wal-Mart is open. They're open twenty-four seven. Why would they close?" but being the wonderful daughter I am, I didn't say a word. Next my mom said, a little shocked, "Look at all the businesses that are open today!" I continue thinking about how, yes, of course places are open. It's just the Fourth of July. It doesn't have the significance of Christmas or New Years. And Wal-Mart is even open on those days.
As we're walking into Wal-Mart and I see what everyone is wearing, I start to feel bad. I had actually considered wearing a green and blue striped shirt, but finally settled on a bright blue layered over a white tank to try to look patriotic. Not very many people any more seem to be doing the patriotic thing. I saw lots of purple and green and black and it made me feel dumb for even considering not wearing red, white, or blue.
In the produce section, my mom had me go over and pick out some corn. So I joined the masses who sit in Wal-Mart on Independence Day, 2008, shucking corn. I felt so guilty. Why? I can't explain why. But it makes me wonder. Why are places open on this national holiday? A holiday commemorating our nation's independence from a tyrannical motherland? A holiday now commemorated only by fireworks in a lot of places. Fireworks and concerts in Times Square. Really, Macy's. We don't need that. Seriously. A concert in Times Square? Big enough for about twenty people? Save your millions of dollars. Just go buy armor or something for our troops. They need it more than we need another five minute concert to air on television while the Marine Corpe Drum and Brass band plays the 1812 Overture as fireworks burst over Washington D.C.. Or as children pulled from some random home are arranged in front of a camera to "help" count down until the fireworks shoot off in New York City. Do something significant, not just something big and bold and loud. Please. You're making this holiday a load of crap.
As we're walking into Wal-Mart and I see what everyone is wearing, I start to feel bad. I had actually considered wearing a green and blue striped shirt, but finally settled on a bright blue layered over a white tank to try to look patriotic. Not very many people any more seem to be doing the patriotic thing. I saw lots of purple and green and black and it made me feel dumb for even considering not wearing red, white, or blue.
In the produce section, my mom had me go over and pick out some corn. So I joined the masses who sit in Wal-Mart on Independence Day, 2008, shucking corn. I felt so guilty. Why? I can't explain why. But it makes me wonder. Why are places open on this national holiday? A holiday commemorating our nation's independence from a tyrannical motherland? A holiday now commemorated only by fireworks in a lot of places. Fireworks and concerts in Times Square. Really, Macy's. We don't need that. Seriously. A concert in Times Square? Big enough for about twenty people? Save your millions of dollars. Just go buy armor or something for our troops. They need it more than we need another five minute concert to air on television while the Marine Corpe Drum and Brass band plays the 1812 Overture as fireworks burst over Washington D.C.. Or as children pulled from some random home are arranged in front of a camera to "help" count down until the fireworks shoot off in New York City. Do something significant, not just something big and bold and loud. Please. You're making this holiday a load of crap.
posted by joy at 4.7.08
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