for my american friends

I think this holiday can  be hard for a lot of us, especially when a  subset of Americans are trying to hijack patriotism. You know who they are. They are noisy  and they are stealing our rights. They are trying to hold us all down and back. They are fucking bullies. But here is the thing. A whole lot more of us want a nation for all.

I love my country even if she is an unruly argumentative teenager who doesn't know exactly what she wants to be yet. We can cut her a break sometimes. She is being pulled in too many directions. We all are. But I love this damn country.  I bet you do too.

So take back patriotism, at least for the day. Fly your flag high. Put on your red t-shirt and paint  your nails blue (I did!) Grill your burgers and cheer for the parades.  Allow some room for pride and hope. Spare a moment to dream of a better world for us all because without our dreams we are nothing. America needs your dreams. We all do. And don't let one shred of guilt mar that swelling of pride when you hear the early strains of the National Anthem.

Go ahead. Sing along. I bet you know the words.