Open Thread – Happy Independence Day!
4 07 2009
I thought about posting a picture of fireworks, but after almost two decades in Alaska, I no longer associate them with the 4th of July. We’re only two weeks past the longest dayof the year, so with no adequate darkness, fireworks hold little appeal. In Alaska, the ones we really enjoy come on New Year’s Eve.
That said, I thought I’d post the flag. Not the kind made in China that you wear on a lapel pin because you’re supposed to, or the kind you wrap yourself in to make a point. But the kind that represents the ideal of a republic “if we can keep it,” as Benjamin Franklin once said.
And here’s one of my favorite quotes, from Justice William O. Douglas to keep in mind as we contemplate our fragile republic.
“As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such a twilight that we all must be aware of change in the air—however slight—lest we become unwilling victims of the darkness.”
Happy Independence Day Mudflatters, wherever you are.
July 4th, 2009 at 8:11 PM
@137 Wallflower:
I agree! I share your sentiments as I am also out of state, but have become fascinated with what it going on in Alaska. This blog is amazing. I don’t comment as much as some but I do interject my thoughts more and more. I encourage you to join in and let your voice be heard. This is such a nice community and a great place to learn and share.
July 4th, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Washington state is indeed one hour later than Alaska. Unlike Arizona, we go on PDT. Because of our latitude, fireworks up here start about 10pm. It is not dark then, but we can’t wait. It is now 11pm and still pretty noisy around here. I hope all of you had a great day with family and friends. Congratulation to our state to the north on 50 years of statehood.
July 4th, 2009 at 11:46 PM
test
July 5th, 2009 at 1:02 AM
Well, gang, check out Wonkette – “Insane Sarah Palin, Late At Night On July 4, Threatens To Sue Entire Internet, Via Twitter” at: http://wonkette.com/409650/insane-sarah-palin-late-at-night-on-july-4-threatens-to-sue-entire-internet-via-twitter
If Sarah thought AK bloggers were ‘meanies’, she hasn’t seen anything, yet.
Here’s a peek – “But, from other websites, we gather Palin’s lawyers plan lawsuits against MSNBC, the New York Times, the Huffington Post, the Washington Post, individual bloggers in Alaska, and other such anti-Palin forces such as “rain on your wedding day” and static cling…. Sarah Palin, a snowbilly grifter who spent her entire adult life desperately trying to become a Public Figure, apparently wants her attorneys to stupidly and pointlessly threaten American practitioners of free speech regarding our public figures and elected officials.”
July 5th, 2009 at 1:42 AM
I love Shannyn.
She just Twittered “Suck it up, Buttercup” with a link to video “Sarah Palin says Hillary Clinton shouldn’t whine about tough media coverage”.
July 5th, 2009 at 7:39 PM
I’m so happy that the peaceflag that I made years ago (the one with 50 stars arranged in a peace sign) has shown up at rallys and online all over the place.
although it somewhat annoys me that no one has ever referred to the original.
anyhow, I would be glad to have you use it!
$%^$%^!! the original doesn’t even show up in searches anymore =( its on ourmedia/archive.org