Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

Our Recent Essays Behind the Front Page

Much Sorry with Delays
Birth, Death and All That Stuff in Between
How to Honor Labor Day, Every Day
My Yom Kippur Miracle (Repost from 2010)
Good intro to fly casting
Peach update, with pie
NYC update
Easy for you to say: To the elites on mass immigration
For NYC on 9/11, Sailors' Snug Harbor
Pickled Peaches
Water Shoes
Labor Costs in U.S.
Your "identity"
Good news about The Great Courses
Uses of Hot Pepper Jelly/Sauce, Chutneys, and Jams
A Saturday Drive to Litchfield County, CT
How to Pick a Kayak
Civilized: Fruit forks and knives
Loads of kayaking on Cape Cod
Psychology Experiments' Questionable Results

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Saturday, July 4. 2020

Happy 4th

It's a good day to think about all of the wonderful things about the USA. One day without grousing and bitching would be pleasant. 


Here's something to try: Have a chat with a recent legal immigrant. I did yesterday, and with another one early this morning for a blood-drawing. Immigrants are grateful for freedom and opportunity, while many of us multi-generational Americans just take it all for granted, or even demand more. Shame on me, if I do that.

Posted by Bird Dog at 07:47 | Comments (12) | Trackbacks (0)

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It's not just freedom and opportunity, it's the relative safety and regularity that American society has to offer as well, the ability to go about one's business and live one's lives without a constant underlying fear. American is one of the most supportive countries around - just look past our southern border for contrasting examples.

We take a lot for granted - today give thanks for the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and the grit of the American Spirit. And while I'm at it, Thank You Maggie's Farm one and all, from the milk maid to the bottle washer, for all your efforts.

Happy Fourth!
#1 Aggie on 2020-07-04 09:04 (Reply)
Well said. Thank you.
#1.1 barnhill on 2020-07-05 07:39 (Reply)
When I think of all that we have taken for granted my heart breaks! Like Aggie, I too am so grateful for Maggie's Farm--these last 20 years would have been a very lonely life for my DH and I without Maggie's.

"Blood drawing" ? What is that for --I hope you are well. Well enough to keep this steady light glowing.
#2 faculty wife on 2020-07-04 09:40 (Reply)
Historically the human condition has been one of suffering and tyranny, amidst all their grousing and bitching they should realize that they've won the lottery. They were born in the United States of America in the late 20th century, a nation with no rival in its force for good and in a time of unparalleled prosperity.
#3 Woulde on 2020-07-04 12:17 (Reply)
re One day without grousing and bitching would be pleasant.

Didn't 'grousing and bitching' about KGIII and Parliment evolve into a declaration of independence? One of the great things about the USA is that we can still complain and criticize our ruling masters. But yes, we can refrain for a day.

I don't know any songs about beating the Bristish in the Revolutionary War, but this is a good substitute.

Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton. It's a very American song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50_iRIcxsz0
#4 feeblemind on 2020-07-04 12:25 (Reply)
My wife came here 8 years ago and will be a citizen for 5 this December. Given the state of the Euro press, she came here thinking N'Obama was great. But she paid attention, and when he said, "You didn't build that!" she, as a former small business owner, was more than done. And when PDJT's foot hit that escalator in 2015, she was on the Trump Train. She was even kind enough to drag me aboard as I lagged behind (I was still under the mistaken impression that career politicians were worth something).

Last night as we enjoyed the show from Mt. Rushmore and were delighted with PDJT's speech (all Miller, that one), I told her Donny promised a specially 5-year anniversary for her: four more years :-)

As she said back in 2016 as the election season heated up to match her passion, she proclaimed

I came here to MAGA, dammit.

Happy Independence Day, Maggies :-)
#5 Sancho on 2020-07-04 13:28 (Reply)
That is wonderful! Thanks for sharing that.
#5.1 B. Hammer on 2020-07-04 17:27 (Reply)
America is the #1 destination for ONE FIFTH of the worlds immigrants. The US has the most immigrants (40 Million+) in the world by an insanely large margin for a reason. Although I would disagree with the idea of compulsory attendance for any specific civil duty, I wish there was a way to get more Native US citizens to attend JUST ONE naturalization ceremony for new US Citizens. It's an amazing experience to observe, and the sheer pride these people show when they get to Pledge Allegiance to the US for the first time in their lives is impossible to describe accurately. It made me ashamed for ever taking my liberty for granted knowing what these folks went through just for the CHANCE to get what I was born with. If you have not witnessed one before I cannot highly recommend it enough. Happy Fourth!
#6 Tman (Link) on 2020-07-04 14:49 (Reply)
I have been to a naturalization ceremony. My wife and daughter are both immigrants and now, citizens. Their introduction to the USA was spread over about 10 years, back & forth, and then we moved & settled.

Both of them are vocal Trump supporters - mostly because they know about life outside the USA. Sometimes I even have to gently suggest to my wife that her support borders on the extreme.

If Trump wanted to transform the US's problem with its education system, he could institute a program of young adult civil/military service - say for 18 - 25 year-olds, to work in service abroad, cover living arrangements and maybe provide a scholarship for college. It would be an eye-opener for all of them and change a lot of young people for the better.

Part of the problem is that they have no way of knowing how good they have it here. There's a whole lot of people would take the worst the USA has to offer, and be plenty grateful for it.
#6.1 Aggie on 2020-07-04 17:56 (Reply)
It is really that simple

Living in the USA is winning the lottery

The land of opportunity
#7 Maddog on 2020-07-04 15:31 (Reply)
Happy 4th of July USA
Best wishes from New Zealand,keep Making America Great.
The world needs a Great America more than ever.
Denis
#8 Denis Wing on 2020-07-05 01:47 (Reply)
Thank you BD. "Maggie's Farm" has been and remains an anchor of sanity in an increasingly insane world. You are truly appreciated.
#9 Michael Scott on 2020-07-05 13:20 (Reply)

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