Other Stuff

Yes, I Am Jealous Of The Fourth Of July (reblogged reblog)

Huntie Master of Something Yet has said what I was thinking.
Bring on our Republic – then we will have a day worth celebrating!

[How embarrassing is that … and I’m pretty sure it’s not the first time I’ve called her Huntie. (blushing furiously) ]

Master of Something I'm Yet To Discover

Me, aged about 10 months (Lexington, KY)

Today is the Fourth of July, American Independence Day.

I’m not American. The photo above was taken when we spent a year of my earliest life living in Kentucky. I spoke my first words with an American accent.

Australians know all about Independence Day. It figures prominently in Hollywood and every US television series from Leave It To Beaver to The Wonder Years to Modern Family has had at least one Fourth of July themed episode (or so it seems).

In some ways, I envy the USA and the passion they hold for their national day. Along with their Northern cousins, they celebrate a day they became a nation in their own right, whether through war and bloodshed or, as my Canadian blogging friend Joanne put it, by asking “our British Motherland for permission“.

I also envy them their flags, unique…

View original post 590 more words

Standard

10 thoughts on “Yes, I Am Jealous Of The Fourth Of July (reblogged reblog)”

  1. A republic would make us feel grown up, able to make mistakes, but hopefully grow into a worthwhile, internationally aware country, pulling our weight to bring unity to this planet.
    When we can look after and integrate refugees on our soil, I will begin to feel Australian again.

    Liked by 2 people

    • The whole system has gone downhill since they decided to play on media hysteria over the ‘boat’ people. I cannot see the reasoning behind the cruelty of off-shore processing, no way does that compensate for the decrease in drownings. And the costs cannot be counted in money alone.

      I don’t know why there is this fear of cutting the apron strings to the ‘old country’ Barbara. I like the Westminster system of Government though, I think it has kept our politicians on their toes. Imagine not having the Senate to keep this current lot in check! Having said that, I think one vote, one value is a fair thing. I think people need to move beyond voting along party lines and vote on merit. It would be better for the country, you would get the best value for your own region. There’s talk of getting rid of the State system. The mind boggles.

      Thanks for your comments Barbara.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Sue says:

    I agree, 1 vote 1 value. It would make a fairer government and make the guy in charge work to retain his position. Get rid of the Senate, it won’t be needed under this system. (no more jobs for the boys).

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Interesting post for sure, thank you for sharing. I just commented on Master of Something’s page after reading. I was saying I appreciate learning this about your nation/country/continent as I’ve always seen Australians as just that Australians (and I mean that with all due respect). Often I forget that the British landed there and that you’re still tied to them at all. Australia seems so much to have its own culture, its own personality, its own people. I’d have to agree it makes sense you’d have your own day and flag! And it’s a shame how the Aboriginal people are treated, much as we have treated Native Americans here. I think the British white people have always conquered that which is stronger and wields more power than they. “Discovering” a new land probably wasn’t as cool if you had to do it by someone else’s terms, someone different from yourself, and especially not by the terms of someone with darker skin who’s “less civilized”. We were some uppity, stuffed, selfish people who, like a spoiled child, thought we must have whatever we wanted. I digress…

    That’s a great concept, not by party lines but by merit, we could use some of that over here in the U.S. as well. I hate politics, it’s a joke as far as I’m concerned. The minute one group wins over the other people on the losing side don’t say well okay they won now let’s see how we can compromise and work together. It winds up seeming like it’s all about sabotage and pointing fingers at everyone’s mistake. Isn’t it common sense that if we were to work together through and above our differences things would go more smoothly? What’s the saying, “If it’s called common sense then why’s it so rare?” I guess that just always applies to politics.

    I best be going before this gets any longer though I will add that I think the 4th of July is now mostly about partying and fireworks!! Pretty sure the history is lost on most of us Americans, unless you’re military or know someone who serves, though I’m just being general here.

    Thanks again for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’m glad you enjoyed the reblog, eLPy.

      One major difference between us and the US is that voting is compulsory here, so we certainly get the government we deserve! Until we have our own independence day, a better day to celebrate would be the day of Federation, when the UK let us have our own federal government – uniting the states and territories.

      Yeah, it’s pitiful how in the olden days people considered people of another colour inferior and little more than animals, and I’m sure there a too many people who haven’t moved much beyond that.

      But, the clock cannot be turned back. We need to move ahead as one, into a better put together country if we can – one that looks after the people in our land before the multi-nationals.

      Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Here here! Thanks for the short lesson. That does sound like a good day.

        It is a pitiful thing and I know here there are plenty of people who never came out of the dark and continue to teach the ignorance to the new generations. But yes we do need to move forward, but never forget the truth and not be afraid to examine and try to help the damage that has been done. I know much of it still affects the new generations today. Hopefully moving forward means being more mature as people and being more compassionate, thoughtful beings.

        😀

        Like

        • About the same time that my brother became schitzophrenic, policeman in one of the towns up in the north our our State beat him and threw him in jail for being homeless, and because he wouldn’t admit he was aboriginal. As far as we know, we aren’t but my brother has the olive skin and dark eyes of my mother and our family nose from my father’s side, though not as bad as mine! And they wonder why so many aborginals die in custody.

          One of my mum’s older sisters adopted two aboriginal children in the 1950s, who were probably taken from their own families. I believe the boy died (perhaps by his own hand) after police beat him up, reckoned he had stolen the flash sports car he was driving – it was a gift from his father. (I mean, how cliche is that!) His father never recovered from the shock, either. Yes, the current generation suffers the effects.

          Like

          • Wow, your stories are moving and intense in sad ways unfortunately. It makes me think again about all the police brutality that is taking center stage in the U.S. and how there’s really nothing new about it. It seems though that it’s more blatant and undeniable these days. I’m sorry for your brother’s experience as well as the loss of your aunt and her family, that’s terrible. The ignorance, arrogance, and aggression of some people is frightening.

            Like

Comments are closed.