Article

2018-07-02 -Land of the Free

Independence, Missouri: tribalism, the flag and 4 July in the age of Trump

[Guardian] In a small midwestern town, memories of President Harry Truman fuel hope for a brighter American future.

It’s so omnipresent, you longer notice it. On poles outside the historic courthouse and a nearby office building. In a window display at a kitchenware store and on a heart-shaped table in an antiques shop. Above neatly mown lawns and porches of Victorian mansions along North Delaware Street. Beside the grave of a US president and emblazoned on the chest of a salesman as his car pulls out of the square.

The American flag, the stars and stripes, is flying high in Independence, Missouri, an unshowy city in what is literally middle America, preparing to celebrate Independence Day. The public holiday on 4 July celebrates the declaration of independence from the British in 1776 with barbecues, bunting, fireworks, parades, picnics and patriotic songs ‐ reassuring rituals of Americana designed to guard against an identity crisis. But this is 2018, Donald Trump is president and patriotism is even more complicated than usual.

Posted by Besoeker 2018-07-02 03:53|| || Front Page|| [11137 views ] Top

#1 The Guardian did not get the Sturm und Drang it hoped for. Worth reading to the end.

Posted by trailing wife 2018-07-02 11:19|| 2018-07-02 11:19|| Front Page Top

#2 He has repeatedly berated American football players for kneeling during the national anthem, in protest at racial injustice. His hardline approach to the border appeals to nativist impulses and threatens America’s longstanding reputation as a nation of immigrants.

This is a load of crap.

You lost me right there, al Guardian. Once again we have an example of a liberal/progressive, whatever that is, refusing to acknowledge a difference between legal and illegal immigration. I couldn't read any further after that line.

Yes, we are a nation of immigrants. But we decide who immigrates and who doesn't. As a sovereign nation we refuse to let foreigners from any other country in this world tell us who gets to immigrate to our country and who doesn't.

If you don't like it you are free to leave.

Posted by Abu Uluque 2018-07-02 11:23|| 2018-07-02 11:23|| Front Page Top

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