July 4th, Independence Day

 Despite barbecue, fireworks, cake, and patriotism, I always think of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on this day. They were great friends, and then they were combative political enemies, and then they were sort of friends again. Around 1812, they started writing to each other and wrote some 185 letters that we know of, expressing all kinds of thoughts. They were not doing the "echo chamber" stuff but the complex nuanced thing that most Americans refuse to do today. And I understand why. As I have written earlier, some of us progressives feel like we are fighting for our lives, literally, especially when we turn to Climate Crisis. But when I think of Independence Day, I do turn to the IDEAL that Thomas Jefferson and John Adams (yes, men of their times and predicament) wanted for our country. It was a step forward in our humankind's progression toward fairness and more democracy. Yes, it was weighted by slavery. But like all people, in all times, during all sorts of histories, decisions are made on what can really be applied, on what might survive, and also, not least, what one can make happen at the time. It's never pretty or perfect. It is always far from the IDEAL. But the IDEAL does remain and is hoped for by many. Jefferson and Adams do, in some ways, represent the best of what a democracy can be and do in a plural society. While there is plenty of hindsight criticism, the real truth is these two are very much responsible for creating and protecting the IDEAL we all now want to protect ourselves. On July 4, 1826 John Adams died in the late afternoon. His last words were, "Jefferson survives." He did not know that Thomas Jefferson had died about four hours earlier. A sad day, that was.

They were both gardeners. Smiling.

Later, in the 19th century, we Americans decided slavery should end with a bloody civil war. We are still struggling with that issue, but we are still living in hopes of the IDEAL that our forefathers desired. We are the most pluralistic society in the world. The IDEAL is worth fighting for and worth protecting.