Transcript for Podcast: "I Feel Snitty," Episode 204: "How the Dicks Stole Independence (Day)" is now available!

Podcast: I Feel Snitty

Episode 204: How the Dicks Stole Independence (Day)

Premiere Date: 7/9/2022

Length: 4:41 (755 words)

Link: https://ifeelsnitty.podbean.com/e/how-the-dicks-stole-independence-day/

Transcript: 

Welcome to I Feel Snitty, episode 204, entitled, “How the Dicks Stole Independence (Day).” I’m your host, Craig Rozniecki.

 

So, we celebrated the 4^th of July this past week. Well, I say “we,” but not to be a Craiggy Downer, I didn’t do much celebrating. As a matter of fact, looking back, I can’t remember myself ever celebrating the true meaning of July 4^th.

 

As a kid, never did I sit back and reflect on all the freedoms I took for granted or how I was blessed with them. I just liked to blow shit up and see other people blow shit up. As a teenager, not once did I give thanks to all those before me who fought, and often times sacrificed their livelihoods, for my rights. No, I just liked blowing shit up and watching other people blow shit up. As a young adult, I didn’t make it a point to read the Declaration of Independence on the holiday in which it was celebrated. Nope, I simply liked to blow shit up and watch other people blow shit up. But now, as an adult, I’ve finally read and re-read the Declaration of Independence; continually show my gratitude to those who have provided me with my Constitutional rights; and don’t, for one second, take said freedoms for granted. What I have gotten a bit tired of is blowing shit up and seeing other people blow shit up.

 

The reason I’m no longer fond of fireworks, in addition to them frightening my dog and keeping my kid up, is they come across as hollow. Especially today, what are we truly celebrating?

 

A year and a half ago, we were within seconds of losing our republic, as our nation’s Capitol was attacked by a mob of thugs intent on overturning a democratically-held presidential election. We were THIS close to losing our country, yet we still want to light fireworks and shout “FREEDOM!”?

 

A couple of weeks ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and with that, guaranteed reproductive rights for women across the country. Yet we still want to light fireworks and shout “FREEDOM!”?

 

On Independence Day, a madman shot and killed 7 people and injured dozens others at a holiday parade just outside Chicago, in what felt like the 100^th mass-shooting of the past month. Yet we still want to light fireworks and shout “FREEDOM!”?

 

Unarmed black men are getting shot 60+ times in the back by police officers. Laws are being passed to suppress the vote of minorities. Republican governors are signing bills which would treat women who had abortions as criminals. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wants to overrule the high court’s former ruling which allowed same-sex couples the right to marry.

 

Let’s be real – unless you have enough money to essentially buy your way out of anything, absolute freedom is a myth. There are always exceptions. But let’s remove that impossibility out of the equation for a moment, and contend that most people, when they declare the United States is the epitome of liberty, what they’re saying is American citizens cannot legally be persecuted by their government for utilizing their Constitutional rights, and these rights should be afforded to everyone equally. Sadly, this too is a myth.

 

The United States is like that adulterous husband, who, when caught sleeping with his wife’s twin sister, blurts out, “This isn’t what it looks like! I’d never cheat on you! I’ve always been loyal!” The United States government – especially members of the Republican Party – constantly guarantees life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to persons of all stripes, yet continually chips away at our rights while doing so.

 

I’ve long said, with regard to a higher power, free-will and predestination cannot coexist, for how can one freely choose for themselves when all has been planned and controlled for them? While I tend to relate this to the Christian faith I was raised into, it can also pertain to the modern-day Republican Party – for they want to simultaneously claim American citizens possess absolute freedom, all while planning and controlling said constituents’ every move.

 

Some fireworks may be alluring to the eyes, but until we’re able to successfully attain what we claim to possess – liberty and equality, that’s all they’ll be – a light show to disguise the dark which pervades us and many choose to deny.

 

That’s it for today’s episode. Until next time, you can find me on Podbean, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, and Blogger. This has been I Feel Snitty, with Craig Rozniecki. Take care.