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July 4, 2007 |
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Happy 4th of July! And to those saying “Bah Humbug!” wondering aloud what evil mind allowed a national holiday to occur in the middle of the week, we the sanguine, we the sitting in the cool of the high country this July 4th, in the words of a former president, “We feel your pain.” Think of our sacrifice. Still having friends and family who are members of the “working class” world, our normal “let’s get together for the three day weekend” social isn’t happening this year. We’re left to spend the 4th alone, complaining to one another of the nighttime chill in the mountains, while the heretofore members of our usual holiday celebration have opted to sweat it out in the heat back home saying the up and back in one day drive, “Just isn’t worth the hassle.” Truthfully, you have only yourself to blame. At work on Monday and yesterday didn’t you notice how most folks, including the boss, were missing? Normally, you’re expected to carry the workload of only two or three people. But, with a lack of planning this week, you’re responsible for the work output of the entire office and know the same situation awaits tomorrow and Friday. The plan ahead folks, your fellow workers, took advantage of this Wednesday holiday, treating it like the yearly “week of indolence”, the seven days between Christmas and New Years. Many wonder why Congress, elected officials incapable of dealing with immigration, the price of petrol, war, or global warming, become Johnny on the spot when broadening Daylight Savings Time or moving Martin Luther King and Presidential birthdays to an always on Monday occasion. Yet these officials insist our national birthday fall on July 4th. All this when there’s a valid case for moving the mid-summer celebration. Only two people actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the others added their signatures August 2nd. The final autograph wasn’t added till 5 years later. Most likely the final signature was a retired guy much too busy to get around to everyday duties like paying bills, emptying the dishwasher and signing declarations. Believe me, I know the problem. John Adams, one of the Declaration of Independence architects, thought July 2nd would be “the most memorable day in the history of America” since that was the actual day in 1776 the Continental Congress claimed it’s Independence from England. And, need I remind you, had the founding fathers gone along with Mr. Adams, our national birthday this year would be a Monday celebration. Today you’re stuck with making the best of a one-day holiday predicament. (Hey, sleep in, take the kids to the parade downtown and then as the afternoon temperature nears one hundred visit a friend. While kicking back in the comfort of his refrigerated air, explain how you have swamp coolers and are certainly not to blame for the Excel Energy electrical outages like some people who put individual comfort ahead of the common good) Why not resolve to plan ahead? The 4th of July, barring government intervention, will again fall on Wednesday in 2012, 2018 and 2029. This is especially important in 2029. By then you’ll most likely be retired and lonesome for company on the 4th. |