Patriotic Musings

Independence Day is a day most Americans reflect on their country's founding heritage by having barbecues and watching fireworks themed to inspirational pop or country music. That's all fine and dandy, but I decided this year to start a new tradition of my own. In order to keep the ideas our nation was founded on alive, I am going to read the Declaration of Independence every 4th of July with whoever will join me. This year, Atlas joined me while Jessica got to sleep in for once. I doubt he understood it all, but someday he will.

The results of reading it, however, aren't too surprising for those that know me. I got agitated. If you haven't read it recently, I encourage you to do so and replace the "King of Great Britain" with the "United States Federal Government". The results are, well, agitating. And while things may not be quite as bad as they were in 1776, they are too damn close for comfort.

So why do people not seem to mind? Well, for one I think it's because the "tyrant" is local and not foreign. It's easier to get angry when a stranger is trying to control you and not your neighbor. But I mostly blame education and the dumbing down of America. I recently came across a Civil Literacy Quiz that I encourage everyone to take. The results are eye opening. Nationwide, across all education levels and demographics, we FAIL as a nation with an average score of 49%. What is even scarier, is that the average score for those that have held an elected position was 44%. You would think that the people leading this country would know more about this country than the average Joe. More people could name the American Idol judges than identify that a given phrase was from the Emancipation Proclamation. With priorities like that, maybe we are just getting what we deserve.

The Death of Rap

Throughout music history (well, since 1950 at least), it has been customary for black people to create a genre of music, and when it becomes popular and profitable for white people to then steal it and ruin it. Well, consider rap ruined.

Ayn Rand & The Simpsons

I found this clip of the Simpsons portraying Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead". It's obviously condensed but gets the point across. If you don't plan on reading her stuff anytime soon this is an entertaining "cliff notes" version.

The point (as I see it) is that each of us is different and some of us are better at things than others. It's shameful and wrong to hold your talents back so that we all appear equal. Live your life for yourself and not for others. There's much much more to it than that but that's a great introduction.

For those who care...

If you're not using google reader you're crazy. It's awesome. One of the features Jessica and I like to use a lot is sharing a post you read. Not everyone reads everyone's blogs or other random feeds that are out there, so if you come across a particularly sweet read then you can share it and then all your friends can see it as well. If you want to see what warps my mind and you don't use google reader, go here:

http://www.google.com/reader/shared/17293135330874183540

Have fun!

Jon Stewart Sucks

This article basically sums up what I've been feeling for some time now, that Jon Stewart has gone from funny to preachy. I can't stand preachy, especially when he's wrong 99% of the time. He's an idealist who loves government, but only when his party is in control. I don't understand him and people like him. They want more government and think it's the solution to everyone's problems, but then they complain that the government sucks when the other party is in control. They say stuff like, "If the Democrats/Republicans were in control it'd be totally different..." blah blah blah. How about they both suck and neither one of the major parties are doing any good for this country??? It seems like everyday we're getting farther away from what made this country great to begin with - pure and simple freedom! Not bailouts and welfare and behavior control. Seriouslah.

Atlas

Atlas Thomas Black Whitehead, my new and very cute son, has started a blog of his own. You can find it at http://atlas-w.blogspot.com. Since he's not quite of age yet, it's private. Send me or Jess an invite and we'd be happy to have you join in the fun, assuming we know you of course. Did I mention that I love him?

Pugsley!

We just got two of these babies in at the shop and I'm super stoked to go riding. Monstrous tires means super low pressure and tons of fun. Now if the inversion will just go away...

Atlas Shrugged

For those of you who've wondered where we got the name Atlas (for our soon-to-be-born boy), it was basically because of this book. I finished reading it a few days ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It most definitely has had an impact on my life and the way I think. I especially was intrigued by her (Ayn Rand's) ideas as they apply to political and moral philosophy. It's not light reading, but if you ever get the chance to read it, do it, and find out why it's known as the second most influential book of all time, behind only the Bible.