Today --- "in the course of human events" (momentous and minute) [...] --- "we the people" of these United States of America add yet another candle to our nation’s proverbial "birthday cake.”  As our national community commences its 235th year of independence, let us reflect upon where we have been, where we are, and where we are going --- and remind ourselves how "interdependent" we were, we are and we shall always be "in Order to form a more perfect Union." [...]

Along with other milestones in history and "history in the making," [...] we the Dears intend to observe this touchstone with more "cerebration" than "celebration" --- sharing the experience with family, friends and community.  Any eventful Independence Day always includes a "'Dexterous' toast to progress" recited at the changing tides.  Along this "thoughtway," stones are added to the Waterside "cairn" to indicate we have come this far.

We tend to avoid the distraction of fireworks.  [...] Admitting disfavor about punctuating such occasions with pyrotechnics once prompted an allegation that this attitude was "un-American."  While the tone of that indictment implied lightheartedness --- such finger-pointing has been more heavy-handed (and directed both left and right).  When ad hoc, ad hominem accusations permeate the civic discourse ad nauseam, incivility impedes the public process.  It begs the questions:  What defines being or seeming "American" and "un-American"?   What does it mean to be a "true American"?  And just who gets to decide? [...]

Review of an interview aired on a cable news program might offer an interesting observation (and perspective) --- and remind American leaders (and followers) to be mindful about "leading by example."  [...] The "time" was spring 2003 during the hopeful interval of the Iraqi Freedom "campaign” --- after the initial chaos of the "liberation" and before the civic turmoil which would follow.  The "space" somewhere in a Baghdad market district.

The camera crew captured the opening scene of an American reporter during a "man on the street" interview approaching a group of Iraqi men drinking glasses of tea and talking politics.  One of the men was so conversant in the English language he became the group's spokesperson, however, his counterparts clearly agreed with his comments, interactively complementing (and complimenting) his views during the ensuing discussion.

When questioning the men about the future of Iraq, they were generally optimistic.  However, when specifically asked about the importance of establishing a new Iraqi constitution as a "first step towards democracy,” the man took issue --- giving the young reporter an American history lesson in the process.  He suggested establishment of municipal government, then holding a "town meeting" forum.  Let chosen representatives sort out the details of a national constitution during conventions but let us organize our local government now, he insisted. [...]

When asked his rationale, the man gestured to the devastated surroundings.  As the camera panned he declared, "Look around you.  We need somebody to complain to!"  He went on to explain the need for somebody in authority to be there to listen to their complaints, to initiate action, to be accountable for community and neighborhood issues (and ideas) and to help better communicate as a community.  His compatriots enthusiastically agreed that democracy and "community in the work" begins close to home.  Their primary focus concerning the commonweal of the people rather than possessions or property --- as the scene closed, the conversation continued. [...]

As we the Waterside people of Newburyport commence a new fiscal year --- there is "certain knowledge" that our own municipal government will hold public forums and meetings on "all matters and things" --- from pedagogy (opening up a "new school of thought") to paid parking downtown to the "boundless ambitions” for progress in our own "piece of paradise” in these "United and happy States" of America.  "We do of further grace" enthusiastically plan to attend these and other opportunities to come to a "meeting of the minds" --- and bring "mere motion" to "forward movement" (to lift an uplifting phrase from Mayor Holaday’s inaugural address).  Hope to see you there and then. [...]

(The unabridged and annotated version of this Viewpoint [conversation piece] can be reviewed at Comity.org  --- where the reader is invited to SMILE [Seek More Information/insight Logged/linked Electronically] and join the ongoing conversation at the Virtual Wolfe Tavern.)

"We the people ..." is of course the introduction/induction of the preamble to the United States Constitution (link without). Often referenced in part or whole, particularly the first clause, it reads: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Coming to terms with "history in the making" As those "annals of mankind" mentioned in Dexter's "toast to progress" record and relate both the progress (and relapse) in our nation’s quest toward that "more perfect union" ~ let us all vow to play a more active role in that assessment.  As a measure of progress, periodic review (and preview) of milestones in history and "history in the making" is a fundamental way to assay where we have been, where we are, and where we are going.

"Dexterous" toast: As cited in a prior letter to the "forwarded in a Motion of Comity" for publication on Independence Day 2008 (link without) ~ in a highly spirited gesture Dexter delivered on Independence Day 1793, Dexter delivered his "toast to progress" (gesticulated without saying a word, more or less in French, a language skill he purportedly did not possess):

"… [T]his day the 18th year of our glorious independence commences — Justice, order, commerce, agriculture, the sciences and tranquility reign triumphant in these United and happy States — America is the asylum for the afflicted, persecuted sons & daughters of Europe.  Our progress toward the glorious point of perfection is unparalleled in the annals of mankind […] "

The reader is prompted to SMILE (Seek More Insight Logged Electronically) at LordTimothyDexter.com ~ where you will find the text and context of this tribute (delight)fully transcribed and described in context ~ this pearl of wisdom readily found at this pURL (particular Uniform Resource Locator).

Ellipsis regarding fireworks ~ since Newburyport postpones its own pyrotechnic spectacle until the Yankee Homecoming festival (see footnote * which follows) ~ the Waterside people eager to watch a Fourth of July fireworks display must depart for other parts (and ports). Realizing that some do trek all over at will to personally witness these spectacles, we are at best indifferent.  The irony is that for most of our adult lives, firework displays have projected over wherever we happen to dwell.  Sometimes ignoring the sights,  sometimes glancing through the window or venturing outside, we don’t sense the thrill.  Of course, we are what might be called "moon chasers" and thrill to the sight of the moon cresting at the Mouth of the Merrimack.  We acknowledge that some might consider that odd.  [But our natural spectacle does not drop toxins onto the environment below: we are always dismayed to see the shower of residue fall into the river after each pyrotechnic display.])

When confiding that we counted ourselves amongst those who cannot understand the attraction of fireworks ~ that when seeing that amount of money "going up in smoke” overhead every year, that all that comes to mind is that the money could be better spent on "dire works" in the community. But given the annals of local history records that the cost of these spectacles were once borne by taxpayers. (**)

Of course, world history records much about the origins fireworks ~ and what is written (and portrayed) may be fascinating in its own right. And while in that exchange in 2006 during which one was called "un-American" for not enjoying fireworks, one's retort was that as a matter of fact(s), fireworks couldn't be branded as "American." (***)

****** FOOTNOTES ******

* This is obviously a matter of economics since fundraising for a fireworks display is an arduous effort, particularly during a strained economy. (At about $1000 per minute, all told the fireworks display cost anywhere from $25K to $30K.) Of course, funds for the Yankee Homecoming festival events (including fireworks) are raised privately and the Yankee Homecoming Chair and volunteers hold fundraising events and "dun" the public throughout the year and at the events.

Legend has it that Newburyport's infamous Mayor Bossy Gillis (in office when the first festival was held) retorted that the Yankee Homecoming Committee would not see "one red cent" from the city. Nowadays, while there is a great deal of support (in the form of city services such as overtime for public works and the police departments) ~ for the most part that policy holds true. Generous benefactors for many of the events, in the end, one or more of the community banks always seem to come up with thousands to make "ends meet" for a "spectacular" fireworks spectacle. While feeling compelled to donate to the "cause" during Yankee Homecoming, it is not because we feel the money is well spent. Or that (as many rationalize) the fireworks draw tourists who are potential consumers who will spend a substantial amount of money downtown. (Particularly since most have figured out the best perspective to see the fireworks is half-mile upriver (upalong) ~ thus park in the North End neighborhoods and walk down to Cashman Park, or simply remain near their vehicles to scuttle out of port to beat the traffic.

** Time was when a portion of the gunpowder from the Powder House was allocated for the celebration. And often the cost of such spectacles can be found as line items in the municipal budget records. For example, the newly organized city government of Newburyport's first budget (Mar 1851 through Mar 1852) totaled $41, 459.58 ~ with an allocation for the Fourth of July fireworks celebration ($984.30) ~ which amounts to more than two percent of the total annual budget expenditure. Considering that the allocation for the new City Hall's furnishings came in at $1,474.31, that was a substantial sum. In any day and age.

*** In fact, it is commonly known that fireworks originated in China, and were thought to banish evil spirits during celebration; the general consensus being that Marco Polo brought them back to Europe, that Queen Elizabeth I was totally fascinated by such displays. Furthermore, that when recording milestones in history that year, 2006 marked a 300-year milestone since a Frenchman named Frézier wrote "The Treatise on Fireworks" in 1706 (link without). The retort was that one was always confusing the matter with facts. The "mind traveling reader" can find more about fireworks at this (link without). With an excerpt of the piece on the History Channel that was rebroadcast for Independence Day can be found at this link without.

Ellipsis providing insight about the indictment of being "un-American" --- While apparent the counterpart's firmly held belief was that appreciation of fireworks is tantamount to pledging allegiance to the flag ~ although the comment was glib, his tone confirmed this was a friendly jibe.  He a raging Republican to counter this unabashed progressive liberal Democrat, we two had regularly jousted about politics ~ the intensity of those exchanges tempered by jocularity.  Being immunized to his partisan lexicon, never took offense to his liberal generalizations of "liberals" ~ had simply countermanded with facts.

Nevertheless, in every sense the word, subjected to the adjective "un-American" made one "feel” decidedly uncomfortable. Of course, in the midst of the 2008 presidential campaign that saturated the media, such indictments became rather commonplace, in every sphere of the broader political arena.   The public discourse concerning both important and trivial matters and things has become tainted.  Pervasive accusations about something or someone being "un-American” or having "un-American” viewpoint were rampant (no matter how unpersuasive the accusation).

It makes anyone who aspires to be one of the Knowing Ones (who ask good questions and question the answer) wonder just what it means to be "American" in the New Millennium. And if you consider yourself first and foremost part of humanity, a member of the human race not a nationalist with a particular ethnic or racial identity ~ is that an affront to "patriotism"? The commonality we share as human beings is an avid proposition that the lead singer and composer, guitarist and percussionist of Among Criminals (*) espouses ~ live on stage on on the band's MySpace webpage.

****** FOOTNOTE ******

* The Philly-based band Among Criminals makes the Waterside community of Newburyport a port of call when travelling New England. The band's last visit to port was last July. Presently, plans are in motion for another "jam and gam" among family, friends and community with the Full Sturgeon Moon (Sunday, August 22) ~ in concert (and conversation) with Among Criminals. Permission is sought for use of Market Landing Park on that date and will be considered at the Newburyport Waterfront Trust meeting to be held July 12. Check the Comity.org webpage at this link within for updates after that meeting.

Ellipsis, lead by example~ Since the intention was to expound upon the interview of the Iraqi men which took place in that country seven years ago this past spring ~ as a retrospective to review history since then and as a preview of the escalated withdrawal, its benchmark next month (August 2010) ~ had commenced research with regards to the status/strategy of the benchmark next month (August 2010) and earlier reports that the dates may slip. Before submitting the text, very little current information was available on the Internet, recording print or broadcast media reports.

Coincidentally, after submitting the text of this Viewpoint to the News Editor of the Newburyport Daily News for publication on the observation of Independence Day, it was reported that Vice President Biden made a surprise visit to Iraq. While there with a small entourage, joined by a contingent from Capitol Hill consisting of Senators Lindsey Graham, Joseph Lieberman, and John McCain. The Vice President gave several interviews with print and broadcast reporters, during which he spoke openly about the wars in the Middle East. An article in the Washington Post can be found at this link without; a Reuters report on the volatility in the North can be found at link without; the BBC perspective at this link without and the Irish Times at this link without and each focus not only on Biden's visit, but the current impasse in organizing a government after the last elections; with this interesting piece in The Economist (link without) providing insight about the sectarian divisions.

It seems hard to believe that it has been seven years since those men drinking glasses of tea and talking politics shared that "tea party," of sorts) with the world, exuding optimism and hopefulness. Later that year, a relation to a member of our extended family) was visiting the United States and Canada (*) on his American "green card." Given the opportunity for conversation with this most interesting patriarch ~ he expressed his own objective points of view and observations about whether Iraq could readily form, reform and reformulate an "experiment" as a democratic republic, particularly given the deep sectarian divisions.

Ellipsis, act locally ~ "We the people of the United States" must an earnest role in this "experiment" ~ be it the responsibility to cast our votes at local, state or federal elections or to participate in the public process at the municipal level. One often thinks of those men and their earnest spokesman, and wonder if they were able to partake in that public "town meeting" forum ~ and make a promise never never take those opportunities to come to a "meeting of the minds" for granted.

Town meeting ~ now a (Massachusetts Plan B) city form of government, Newburyport no longer holds a traditional "annual town meeting" which afford citizens the opportunity to vote on warrants. However, there are ample public meetings, hearings and forums held to address matters that warrant consideration, discourse and a course of action and influence public officials and representatives. In the spring of 2002 and 2003 and once again in 2007, experimentation with an annual public "town meeting" forum ~ inspired by Section 20 of the original City Charter (link within) was productive. And earlier this year, the new mayor held a public forum on March 6. Now, with the budget process behind us, it is time to "come to a meeting of the minds" on not only having various meetings to relate various issues. But to have a public conversation about how these issues (and ideas) interrelate.