This Independence Day I'm worried about the future of America. Watch the video above and watch the pain and awkwardness of the Republican's holding hands with Democrats and singing the anthem of the civil rights movement. What an awkward moment for an event that was supposed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act on July 2 it symbolizes much of what's wrong with out country today.
One of the most significant pieces of legislation, the law made it illegal to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It ended discrimination in schools, at work and at public facilities. The Civil Rights Act barred placing barriers to voting that would impact certain groups of people.
Sadly, if introduced today, the landmark legislation might not even pass. The split between lawmakers and the Republican radicals' unwillingness to meet the opposition half-way, the traditional definition of politics, has made Congress ineffective. Rachel Maddow wrote about this interesting premise at http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/john-lewis-civil-rights-act-would-not-pass-today
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Then there's the Hobby Lobby decision by five members of the U.S. Supreme Court. I thought the court couldn't make a worst decision to undermine our democracy than Citizens United but this decision issued last week comes in pretty close.
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Take away all the noise and alarm over the birth control issue, what makes the decision by five male members of the court is it opens the doors to business owners imposing their religious beliefs on their employees. Even though the majority tried to narrow its ruling, the court expanded its Citizens United decision that corporations are people and money is a form of free speech, by saying corporations can hold religious beliefs and they can ignore laws that might impinge on those beliefs.
The Washington Post had a pretty good analysis: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2014/07/after_hobby_lobby_there_is_only_rfra_and_that_s_all_you_need.html
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At a recent meeting, the facilitator opened up with an ice-breaker, She wanted all of to introduce ourselves and answer the question, "What do you look forward to tho summer." I had the misfortune to be sitting right next to her and then she turned to me. With no time to think, I blurted out, "The seventh inning stretch."
The guy sitting on the other side asked, "Is that it?" I think he was stalling for time trying to think up an answer. At any rate, I said, "Yes. Its one of the few times you can get 40,000 people - all races, creeds. Democrats, Republicans, Tea Partiers and Libertarians and fans ob both opposing teams - to stand up and sing that sappy song, 'Take Me Out To Ballgame." and for a brief moment in time, we are united, That's America."
I was saying that tongue in cheek but around the table I saw a bunch of people nodding in agreement.
I do enjoy baseball (Go Giants! Go A's) and its relaxing pace on a languid summer day, hot dogs, cold beer and the 7th inning stretch. Well, that's good enough for me ... considering all the other craziness going on.
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Trying to end on a positive note, here's the Coke commercial that debuted during last year's Super Bowl. The singing of "America, the Beautiful" raised a storm of controversy from xenophobes who thought that it was unAmerican.
The Filipinos in it are from the Basco family who used to live next to us when I was growing up on Carolyn Drive.
Below is the Tagalog version. The comments of the little girl who sings it demonstrates more wisdom than most of our Congress members. Her words express the hope of a youngster who hasn't been made cynical with all the crazy unAmerican stuff going on. Ahh ... she is the hope I've been looking for today, July 4, 2014.
