How The Sequester Grinches (a.k.a. the GOP) Stole The Fourth Of July

It was Founding Father John Adams who began the tradition of fireworks on the the 4th of July. In a letter he wrote to his wife Abigail, July 2, 1776, he waxed poetic about his vision of the “Glorious 4th”. Adams said we should “solemnize” our celebration of independence with:

“Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

The very next year, Adams and some of his fellow congressional representatives set up a 13 rocket display in Philadelphia. Six years after that first congressional fireworks show, in 1783, North Carolina Governor Alexander Martin issued an executive order for his state to celebrate the Fourth of July. All the other states soon copied his lead.

We’ve done pretty well with making our second president’s dream come true. In fact, last night from my front lawn, I could see two different displays being set off over two nearby lakes, one to the north and one to the south. I literally didn’t know which way to look. But there are a lot of people who won’t be able to watch the fireworks displays this year. No fireworks on military bases is now official congressional policy.
That’s right. Fireworks have been cancelled on most military bases this year. The “Sequester”, designed by congress to make everyone so miserable they would never let it take effect, has put an end to John Adams’ vision of “from this Time forward forever more”, in our most patriotic of places.
A few lucky bases have found a philanthropic civilian backer. Fort Hood, in Texas, has dipped into profits from their recycling center to save their show. But most of the men and women who serve this nation, and the children who stoically endure their long absences, will see nothing tonight but dark skies.