Post-Fireworks Open Thread

7 Comments

1. 

   CabinGirl on July 4, 2009 at 10:37 pm

   that I have never seen so many people at the local fireworks as this year, and I was wondering if it was because people couldn’t afford to go away for the weekend because of the economy, or if it was just the really stellar weather.

   • 

     Errol on July 5, 2009 at 8:19 am

     All of those reasons? and maybe because we elected Obama?

2. 

   Ed J on July 5, 2009 at 9:11 am

   as an affirmation of America as it is. Guthrie wrote it as an anthem for those who want to take the country BACK from the special interests and the corporations. Hence the often unsung verses you mention.

   By the way, President Obama needs to publicly and officially acknowledge Pete Seeger as one of the greatest and most patriotic Americans alive before he joins Woody in the hereafter.

   • 

     CabinGirl on July 5, 2009 at 10:47 am

     It’s a shame that it’s gotten twisted around the way it has, and why that version at the Lincoln Memorial was all the sweeter.

     I totally agree with you on the need to recognize Pete Seeger.  we saw him a couple of years ago at the Clearwater Festival, and he really is a national treasure.

3. 

   Ed J on July 5, 2009 at 10:09 am

   The Ayatollah has to be pissed off about this:

   Leading Clerics Defy Ayatollah on Disputed Iran Election

   By MICHAEL SLACKMAN and NAZILA FATHI
   Published: July 4, 2009
   CAIRO — The most important group of religious leaders in Iran called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate on Saturday, an act of defiance against the country’s supreme leader and the most public sign of a major split in the country’s clerical establishment.

   A statement by the group, the Association of Researchers and Teachers of Qum, represents a significant, if so far symbolic, setback for the government and especially the authority of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose word is supposed to be final. The government has tried to paint the opposition and its top presidential candidate, Mir Hussein Moussavi, as criminals and traitors, a strategy that now becomes more difficult — if not impossible.

   “This crack in the clerical establishment, and the fact they are siding with the people and Moussavi, in my view is the most historic crack in the 30 years of the Islamic republic,” said Abbas Milani, director of the Iranian Studies Program at Stanford University. “Remember, they are going against an election verified and sanctified by Khamenei.”

   This came out yesterday, Independence Day.

   • 

     CabinGirl on July 5, 2009 at 10:48 am

     Wow.  I wonder where that will lead?

4. 

   Oui on July 5, 2009 at 1:58 pm

   .

   Federer win breaks Sampras record

   Roger Federer became the greatest player in Grand Slam history as he beat Andy Roddick in five dramatic sets for a sixth Wimbledon and 15th major title.

   The Swiss won 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 to surpass Sampras’s 14 Grand Slam wins and regain the title he lost to Rafael Nadal last year. Federer, 27, will now return to the top of the world rankings ahead of Nadal.

   And Sampras was back at Wimbledon for the first time since 2002 to watch from the Royal Box as Federer made history.

   Federer had to dig deep against an in-form Roddick, who had four points for a two-set lead and then battled back to force an epic fifth set as the match became the longest men’s singles final ever in terms of games played.

   “He played unbelievable,” Federer told BBC Sport, adding: “It feels great. It was a crazy match with an unbelievable end and my head’s still spinning, but it’s an unbelievable moment in my career.”

   
   

   Official Wimbledon site  

   "But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."