Independence Day in DC

"Back to this year. I don't think this is a bad idea to shake it up a bit. Try it out. In just a few short years, we will be celebrating our 250th anniversary. Good time to practice up."

By now, most have heard that the President wants to change the way we celebrate our Independence Day. Not that there is anything wrong with the way we do it now - he just thinks it could be so much more. Like parades, speeches, patriotic songs - throwing a party by us, and for us. As usual, the great divide is present. The other side thinks that this would be way too showy - maybe even an attempt to be a political rally. The President's side on the other hand, it tired of seeing our country run down. It is time to proudly proclaim, we are Americans, and we are great again! 

I have been in Washington, DC on Independence Day. No, it was not for vacation. I was in the middle of a protracted negotiation, and Independence Day fell on Wednesday. Since my government counterpart was off on Independence Day (and theoretically, so was I), my boss gave me a choice. Come home on the late flight on Tuesday night, spend the Fourth with my family, and then be on the zero-dark-thirty flight back to DC on Thursday morning - or - gut it out. Stay in DC over the holiday. I talked with the team, and we all decided to "gut it out".

The Beach Boys were playing on the Mall that year. It just so happens, they were also staying at our hotel. That was an experience. Lots, and lots of drinking and partying (by them, not us). We spent the morning of Independence Day working. At noon, we decided to walk down to the Mall to be part of the festivities. Anybody who has ever been in DC in the summer time, knows DC offers two things in the summer - heat and humidity. In any event, we made the most out of it, and saw a bang up fireworks show that evening.

Back to this year. I don't think this is a bad idea to shake it up a bit. We should try it out. In just a few short years, we will be celebrating our 250th anniversary. Good time to practice up. As far as having tanks on the roads, I am still pondering that one. May be a good idea, or it may be a bridge too far. In any event, if the President has his hands in it, things will be really YUGE!

However it turns out, it will be a great holiday. Never had a bad Independence Day, no what the weather. Coming up this Thursday. It will be great. I can't wait.