no wonder i was depressed about the 4th. i missed the point: it's about blowing things up!

It was so nice of North Korea to give us a 4th of July present! Just so everyone knows I'm capable of admitting when I'm wrong: I never thought they'd do it. They didn't have much to gain (though I'd bet that slap on the wrists is going to sting a bit more this time) and had quite a bit to lose (let's take bets on the U.N. imposing economic sanctions!). Though, quite honestly, why not test them? Kim Jong Il has been trying to get our attention forever and aside from some "we-don't-think-you-should-do-that talk" there have been no consequences. What I find particularly hilarious (can you believe I worked the word hilarious into a post about North Korea?) is that it's not as if he just has 15 year old canisters of chemical weapons--which is clearly enough to warrant invading someone's country--no, no! He has missiles and nuclear capabilities. Why should he be worried? We like to ensure a victory and North Korea looks a little too challenging for our tastes.

My Independence Day began with a few hours of watching Liberty! The American Revolution on PBS. I made it through the 4th episode where the Americans kicked some British ass at Saratoga and thus ensured France would come and save us. I love thinking about France declining to enter the charade of a conflict in Iraq and the U.S. Congress taking a hard line by changing the name of French Fries to Freedom Fries to show them who da man. I also love thinking about how we'd all be a part of the British Empire had France not come to our aid in 1777.

I spent the afternoon at the beach sans cellphone avec a young man who spent his time flying a kite and leaping in the waves ala a ten year old. It was so cute it was almost disgusting. I spent my time countering Liberty! with Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States which every good patriot ought to read to remind him that history is subjective. A meal was consumed. Matador was watched as was the local news (during which I heard the most enraging soundbite from Granholm regarding how lucky we should all feel given that servicemen and women were over in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting for our freedoms). I was able to go to bed early though the sound of Granholm's voice saying essentially the same thing G.W.B. said earlier in the day made sleeping a challenge.

I'm looking for some reading suggestions if anyone has any brilliant ideas. I have a ton o'stuff at home and nothing is tickling my fancy.

I'm open.