I have vague memories of the events marking the bicentennial of the American Revolution back in 1976. I was quite young, so the only clear image that I recall is a photo of an aircraft carrier with sailors lined up on the deck in the shape of “1776-1976”, but I also remember that, in the wake of disappointments like Watergate, the fall of Saigon, and the Ford administration generally, the prevailing mood was rather downbeat.
Fast-forward 46 years, and I found myself sitting on a beach in California, pleasantly baked, watching the fireworks and feeling that the US, after a few rough years, was back on a broadly progressive course. No doubt my optimistic outlook was influenced by the summer warmth and the agreeable company, but it’s still disheartening that just four years later it looks like everything is going to hell again.
My American friends are actually considerably more relaxed about the situation than I am, reassuring me that good sense will reassert itself in November, and I guess they have the advantage of being in the country, rather than residing an ocean away, so perhaps I should just chill out, and start planning another trip to see them for the 251st.
Second Life Shrink 