I'm not going to make a list of good things for which we should be thankful, or bad things for which we should complain. Sure, this country has some admirable qualities when compared to some others in the world, but it's also fucked up in ways beyond mention. I do have one request: temper your Fourth of July celebration with safety and reflection. Be safe in your celebration: don't drink yourself to death, drown, overeat or set yourself on fire as that's just common sense.

At the same time, reflect not only on the good things that "Amurkuh" has brought us as is commanded by politicians and television hosts, but the tremendously shitty things that the very same entity perpetrates upon others and its own citizenry. If New Years and anniversary celebrations are used for this purpose, then the birth of our country should have the same treatment. Don't believe the rhetoric that the 4th of July is only about the good of the country.

Most importantly, be truly patriotic and think about ways to change that status quo and help this place reach the potential it could realize.

"God made us number one 'cause he loved us the best, so why don't you go bless someone else for a while and give us a rest." I'm going to play with sparklers and read tomorrow, and hopefully my reflection will help inform my future lectures just a little bit more to set a few people on the right track.

What are you going to do?