I've always had a bit of a soft spot for America. (The country and its people, that is. Its government has generally tended to be a force-for-ill in the world, even on the rare occasions when they have managed to elect a decent and competent person to the Presidency...) I've spent quite a bit of time there: probably several months in total, by now. Four of my best friends from college days relocated over there, so I always have excuses to nip over for a visit when I can. And I've experienced four or five July 4ths over there.
And their big annual holiday has always seemed a surprisingly un-jingoistic event to me. I'm not usually a fan of National Days, as they get too bound up in obnoxious nationalism (and often with forced 'celebration' of the government [looking at you, China!]), But even the public parades for the 4th July in America always seem to have a strong community focus, rather than a national or global one. And the majority of the celebration seems to just involve getting together with family or friends for a big barbecue somewhere. And probably those indulgences will be spread across the entire weekend... Plenty to like about that!
I can't visit my American and America-based friends this weekend, but I shall be thinking of them. And I am hoping I will be able to join in with their festivities in spirit by finding myself a pulled pork sandwich somewhere....
I imagine all the firecrackers and nationwide jollity will add to the atmosphere of the crucial quarter-final games being played in the Club World Cup over there this weekend. Looking foward to it!
Best wishes for the Holiday Weekend to any American readers I may have garnered on here!!!
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