Glacial Erratics

It's no secret that nationalism and patriotism are two of my least favorite things. I want no part of them, especially in a time when nation building and being patriotic mean killing or ratting out your neighbor.    (9IO)

That doesn't mean, though, that I won't enjoy the fireworks.    (9IP)

Tonight Stan and Malinda joined me on the roof of the house to view the annual Bloomington fireworks. Bloomington puts on a small but pleasant show, launched from the parking lot of the university stadium just down the street.    (9IQ)

My camera has a special fireworks mode, which seems to amount to leaving the shutter open for a while. I took it up on the roof too, with a small tripod. Of the 130 semi-random shots, about 30 can be found at FourthOfJulyThumb. Some highlights:    (9IR)

+ ++ T    (9IS)

Dictionaries are weird but helpful things. WordNet? defines a patriot as "one who loves and defends his or her country" and points to nationalist as a synonym.    (9IT)

+ ++ T    (9IU)

Webster's 1913 edition states "One who loves his country, and zealously supports its authority and interests."    (9IV)

+ ++ T    (9IW)

Meanwhile the Devil's Dictionary claims a patriot is "One to whom the interests of a part seem superior to those of the whole. The dupe of statesman and the tool of conquerors."    (9IX)

+ ++ T    (9IY)

Does one have a country, or does a country have one? When a country acts, who is acting? The country, the people of the country, the government?    (9IZ)

+ ++ T    (9J0)

People tell me that the fourth is a celebration of the country and its people, not the government and its actions, but when surrounded everyday by jingoistic propaganda, aren't these fireworks just another ad to maintain shareholder confidence?    (9J1)

+ ++ T    (9J2)

Give the people a spectacle, wave the flag a bit, be reminded that we're all part of a nice big group and while the details of our activity may be a bit bleak, don't forget: the vision is grand.    (9J3)

+ ++ T    (9J4)

Sublimate the rage in a sea of pretty colors. Put off the revulsion and revolution for one more year.    (9J5)

+ ++ T    (9J6)

And there on the roof, as the fireworks boomed on our left and the impending thunderstorm rolled in from the right, things were good: Amongst friends, in (on) a home, well fed with more entertainment and comfort in store.    (9J7)

But still:    (9J8)

   (9J9)