the daily snivel

I wanted to wish a happy Independence Day to all the American readers out there, especially Angela, who I know is currently trapped in Toronto and far from the beer and fireworks in Canada's self-proclaimed centre of the universe (though I may soon be interned there myself). I think it's important to reflect on the things that have made America a great and respected nation in the past, in the hope that the jingoistic level of patriotism summoned by the current administration to deflect criticism from its policies can be turned aside. I think what upsets so many of us outsiders is that America is a nation that seems to have turned its back on the notions of democracy, equality, liberty and justice for all that made her a beacon in the past. Now it seems that aggressive wars, suspension of civil liberties and procedural justice for terror suspects, and a hostility to unions and social safety nets and fair wages carries the day. I was so pleased that Canadian voters turned their backs on the one party who promised a Republican style reform of Canada's legal, social and military systems (and a much closer relationship to the current U.S. Administration) this past week, and I have a lot of hope that the progressives will also carry the day in the U.S. in November.

Anyway, here's a great article about taking American patriotism back to the left, where it belongs.