What happened to “brotherhood,” “mercy” and “nobleness?”

Beautiful lyrics to be sure. But they’re being drowned out by the sound of innocent children crying. Something to think about this upcoming July 4th … 

Day 333. Yankee Doodle

Yesterday was Independence Day in the U.S.  In fact, it was on July 4, 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was apparently signed.  I say “apparently” because the date has been disputed for years and years and years and years.  And years and years.

All that matters is, regardless of the day, the U.S. was no longer under British rule.

I’ve always enjoyed the celebrations.  I like the patriotism.  The pomp.  The parades.  The fireworks.  The partying.  The hotdogs.  The beer.  All of it.

From the time I was nine, I went to a summer camp in Vermont.  In Poultney, Vermont to be precise.  A pretty, little town, on Lake Champlain.  Not far from Montreal.  Maybe a couple of hours, max.

Camp Kinni Kinnic.  An all-girls camp, it was owned by a judge of the juvenile court.  Aunt Jeanette, as we affectionately called her.  Her full name was Jeanette Brill.  She had a son, Herbert, who took it over when she