Being that we live in the birthplace of the United States of America's government and financial market, we decided to join the million or so other people to celebrate America's birthday on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The Parkway is a striking roadway, stretching between the Art Museum and City Hall (linking culture to civic activity), and flanked by gorgeous sculptures, fountains, monuments, and greenspace. It takes an advanced degree to drive it, with its roundabouts, ever shifting lanes, and turn restrictions; however it is one of my favorite vantage points in Philadelphia. It feels majestic, important, and wise - as if it knows more than this young country.
The street itself is lined with flags and labels from every country on the planet, saying welcome - there is a place for you here (my commentary regarding the current arrogance with immigration legislation - all are immigrants). I love living in a place where people are so different from me. Just look at the cross-section of people in this snapshot of Michael walking amidst the July 4th crowds on the Parkway.
Shortly after this picture was taken, the heavens opened up and it began pouring rain on the millions of people. Not to be deterred, Patti Labelle began a live performance for the crowd. M and I had a broken umbrella which we stood under while listening to the music and eating hamburgers and funnel cake. We held out for a while, waiting for the headliner concert, Hall and Oates, but soon decided to Haul it Outta There.
Walking toward Suburban Station in the downpour to catch a train home, I thought of the men and women, past and present, who are willing to die to preserve each person's right to the pursuit of happiness. It is a confusing notion, but one which made the soaking wet rain seem appropriate. May you each find the pursuit worthwhile...
1 comment:
great post.
Hall and Oates? Are you serious? I think it's okay that you headed home. :)
LWD and I read the Declaration after dinner last night, excerpted here:
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
[...]
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Glad you had a nice day!
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