Posted by Joe, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Jul 3, 2008 at 2:10 pm

I guess there's reason to celebrate. Our civil rights are under siege by our own government; our livelihoods are being sold out from under us by corporations with no community-minded instincts whatsoever; trillions of our tax dollars are being poured down the drain in an ill-conceived and criminal war of choice; and our culture, infected by the visual candy on TV, the Web and the schlock in movie theaters, has only deteriorated since 1961, when Newton Minow described television as "a vast wasteland," a description that now fits mainstream culture as a whole.

We're a nation of sheep. What are we celebrating exactly? An idea? Yes, this country was founded on great ideas. But look what we've done with them. If anything, this holiday ought to be a time for sober reflection on how to save what's left of this great experiment in democracy, respect for minority views, and the rule of law and ponder how to recover what has been lost.

Posted by Sick of it, a resident of the Menlo Park: Stanford Hills neighborhood, on Jul 5, 2008 at 11:08 am

How is it that the notion of patriotism in these parts has been reduced to blowing up the skies (or neighborhoods, or beaches) with fireworks on the 4th of July? I wonder how many emergency workers on overtime woke up exhausted today after putting out fires and trying to chase down the hundreds of patriots shooting off illegal fireworks. This is truly the Idiot's Holiday.

Posted by Christina, a resident of the Menlo Park: Sharon Heights neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2008 at 11:11 am

There's one thing to celebrate this 4th of July, and that's our opportunity to change the misguided direction of our country -- or our city -- by voting in November.

Posted by Anna, a resident of the Menlo Park: University Heights neighborhood, on Jul 8, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Now THAT'S patriotic.

Posted by Resident, a resident of another community, on Jul 10, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Now what was important to me and mine on 4th July was the opportunity to have a family get together without all the other stuff in our lives. It is a bit like Christmas in July, or Thanksgiving, the real celebration is being with those special to you and having time to enjoy it.

I feel sympathy for those who don't have anyone special to share the day with. Next time, look around and see if there is a neighbor or coworker who would like to spend time hanging out with you and yours. That would really be sending the right sort of message.