How about we all just take a knee on this Fourth of July, America?

Don't start yelling. Call it a somber genuflection to the nation we should be.

Flags at the Wheeler County Courthouse in Fossil, Ore. Just about my favorite town, as I probably say too often.

You know how the world sees us? Stupid.

And violent, scared, angry and slovenly. Not a good look, America. My beloved America.

When I was a kid, and into adulthood, I’d wake up on the Fourth of July and say, “Happy birthday, America.” Out loud, but softly, with quiet pride. We didn’t need to shout about ourselves. I believed that.

Today we’re a mess. Today, how about we all shut the fuck up, take a reverential knee, and take a breath, too.

Yes I know the expression “taking a knee” is a political statement these days. I don’t care. See in it what you will. Get mad if you want. Pray while you’re down on one knee, if you want. I don’t care.

You know what song is coming through my heavy old headphones right exactly now? “Quit Hollering At Me” by the late John Prine, that American treasure. Killed by Covid, by the way.

You know those brown and black replacement people who are supposed to come along and replace us white people? I wish they’d hurry up. Long as I get to pick which white people get replaced. Damn, we’ve got some toads among us.

We’re still powerful as hell, militarily and economically, and we’re doing the right thing internationally, by teaming with our NATO allies to help Ukraine. That’s not stupid. But back home we are busted in the gut and flopping around like a pile of slobbering dumbshits.

Thank god for Liz Cheney, who might save the Republican party. So many cowards, hypocrites and nasty lickspittles among the GOP Taliban. And so many of their followers are stupider than Jupiter, as Rep. Homer Simpson, I-Springfield, once described it.

I’m talking about us, America, a nation in which children are murdered in school, shoppers at the store and faithful at church. A nation in which a significant number of people walk around angrily ready, even hopeful, to use the guns they carry with them all the time.

We’re a nation in which the Supreme Court, packed by the vile buffoon and his cynical enablers, takes a hard right and steers the country into a wall. A nation in which racists and fascists proudly rise, put on matching uniforms, deface the flag, and march in the street. A nation ruled by the rich. Ruled by generations of crass, jaded, entitled cheats, bullies and liars who hand wealth off to their kids, who are even worse.

And we’re a nation that has assembled the worst set of politicians ever: Monstrously venal, ignorant fools and cowards who do and say what money tells them to.

Other than that, though…

I walked out in the yard earlier this morning. The tomatoes look great, some of the roses are still going strong. The dashing dahlias, fast-growing and vigorous, are coming on. I picked and ate a couple of raspberries. Most of my old patch is a fall, or ever-bearing, variety of some sort, and I’ll have berries into November. But some earlier ripening canes are present, as well, and it’s a pleasure to eat fresh berries in the morning.

The raspberries were here when we moved in 20 years ago and handled a major transplant; twice, for some of them. They are a resilient bunch.

I hope we are, too. Happy birthday, America.