Independence

Independence is a funny thing, especially in the United States of America. The recent celebrations during the Fourth of July confused me. I now live in California and I was stunned to see all of the festivities. Massachusetts earned the right to celebrate Independence Day, along with the other original twelve colonies (Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island), but who gave the other states the right? (The nerve of some people!)

Don’t get me wrong; I love living in California, but the state has been a member of the union for less than two hundred years. (States should have to put in at least two centuries before earning the right to celebrate!)

I also find the South to be particularly confusing when it comes to independence. Don’t get me wrong; I’m definitely against slavery, especially since I would have been on the losing end of that deal, but what gives the Union the right to force the Confederate states to abide by their rules? Wasn’t the point of the Declaration of Independence issued in order to rid America from English rule? I guess the freedom of independence is only for some people.

Speaking of freedom, what about the US Territories? Do those citizens not deserve to have their own Independence Day? When will Puerto Rico be allowed to become an independent country? The American government can claim Puerto Rico as a territory but the island is not a part of the US. They have their own national anthem for Pete’s sake! If the country can send athletes to the Olympic Games, they should have their Independence! (The least that can be done is allowing the country’s citizens to have voting rights in the Presidential election!)

The same goes for Guam, the Virgin Islands, and any other “territory!” I, for one, will not accept these “territories” as American until the government forces PeterPan Bus Lines, Amtrak and South West Airlines to collaborate on a $69 ferry boat from Miami to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Furthermore, I want a Pacific Ocean ferry to Guam and the other stolen islands. (I don’t know anything more American than a great deal!)

Maybe these “territories” should follow the example of the United States and take their Independence by force! (This might turn out to be a bad idea, since America used atomic bombs in the past!)

I guess the purpose if this post is to point out that Independence is a confusing concept. I’ll probably never understand it!

     RANDOM QUESTION OF THE DAY: I wonder if “Independent women” celebrate their Independence on the fourth of July. If not, I think September 7^th is a perfect day.

“Why September 7^th?” You ask.

It’s pretty simple; that’s the birthdate of Queen Elizabeth I of England. She was an Independent woman, in fact a virgin, who didn’t need any man to help her rule the world. (She must have done a lot of horseback riding!)

The term “Independent Woman” always reminds me of my favorite inappropriate joke. “What do you say to a woman with two black eyes?” NOTHING; SHE’S BEEN TOLD TWICE!  

@PeteTeix617