MEMED ON THE FOURTH OF JULY

On this day after the passing of one of America's greatest most obnoxious statesmen, I will take part in the 4th of July meme devised by Toast.

1. Are you "proud to be an American"?
Not sure "proud" is the right word. I'm certainly glad my ancestors came here. I'm pleased to be associated with various aspects of the country's past & present. But pride is something I reserve for choices & accomplishments I made. Until I learn that as a fetus I petitioned the American government for the right to be born here, pride'll have to wait.

2. Favorite Founding Father?
Interesting to ruminate (on this day after the passing of one of America's most obnoxious statesmen) on the passing of John Adams & Thomas Jefferson, our 2nd & 3rd Presidents and two of the architects of the Declaration of Independence. They each died on July 4th. July 4, 1826. 50 years to the day after the signing of said Declaration of Independence.

That said, my favorite Founding Father is the father: Big George. Six-foot-eight, weighs a fuckin' ton. George. Washington. The man who would be king . . . except he said "No thanks."

3. Favorite president?
See question 2.

4. Biggest "Patriotic Moment"?
Hmmmm, that's a tough one. I assume the question calls for an event in my lifetime, one I actually experienced, so that's gonna eliminate the defenses of Little Round Top & Bastogne.

I don't know that I really have one.

5. Favorite patriotic song?
"America the Beautiful" is very nice. So is "Battle Hymn of the Republic." I don't know most of the lyrics to "Over There," but I love the melody, and the line "The Yanks Are Coming" is pretty cool.

But I'm going with "Battle Hymn" for this one. Just a beautiful song, and to think of a bunch of farm boys from various states singing this as they marched over blood-soaked ground at Antietam or Gettysburg is pretty stirring stuff.

6. Favorite American cuisine?
I know French Fries are actually Belgian, so that doesn't really count. But man, choosing "freedom fries" and calling them "french fries" as my favorite American food would come as close as anything to defining who I am. Plus, I love em.

But alas, they ain't American.

(Then again, pizza isn't American either.)

But the hamburger -- named after a German city -- is, so I guess I'll go with that one. With a side of french fries of course.

7. Happiest political moment of your life?
The GOP losing both chambers of Congress in the 2006 election. Couldn't give a shit that the Dems won, but the American people turning out the party that created the mess was a fine moment.

8. Best fireworks display you've ever seen?
4th of July fireworks in NYC. Great every year.

9. America's gift to the world?
Rock n' roll.

(Beating out baseball, jazz, hamburgers, and blue jeans as everyday fashion.)

10. Favorite Bill of Rights right?
4th. Basically says, "stay the fuck outta my house."

11. Favorite American Holiday?
Used to be Thanksgiving. Lately though I like Memorial Day cause it starts off the summer.

12. Favorite D.C. monument?
Vietnam Memorial. Incredibly moving experience.

13. Your dream for America's future?
That we start minding our own shop. We're not in very good shape and we need to stop worrying about the rest of the world and get our own shit together.