FOURTH OF JULY IN THE HEARTLAND

This weekend, your humble scribe will be on the road and unable to provide a lengthy blog. I'll be in Indianapolis, Indiana, a state that actually voted for Obama two years ago but is still recognized by Sarah Palin as part of the United States of America (as opposed to my Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., which Palin sees as some kind of alien territory filled with unpatriotic socialists).

Do I resent the idea peddled by certain politicians and talking heads that some parts of this country are more truly "American" than others? Your damned right I do.

Anyway, I want to wish each of you a Happy Independence Day this Sunday. Even if you are reading this from another country, presumably you still appreciate the values that reigned supreme in Independence Hall on July 4, 1776. If only we could find again the kind of folks who lined that building on that fateful day and sprinkle them throughout the leadership of Israel, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq and the other spots where people seem to have lost their way. Maybe even the U.S. should be included in that group. We all need another dose of Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and company ... and no time too soon.

Take care, and have a blast on Sunday.