We began the day with something old, we continue with something new and borrowed. I’m not sure if we’ll do blue, but this is a political and cultural blog, not a web site for wedding planners the last I checked.

Two weeks ago, the New York Times published its America Is series in which they posed this question: ‘What one piece of culture captures the true spirit of our country? We asked 17 columnists to find out.”

I loved the idea, so I brought it to First Draft. Cassandra and Jamie O loved it too and wrote two brilliant essays. Thanks, y’all.

I wanted to give our America Is posts some more time in the spotlight. Hence this Independence Day post.

On June 20, I was the first to post: America Is: One Time, One Night.

Cassandra followed on June 22 with America Is: Where The Mythic Touches Reality.

Jamie O concluded our America Is trilogy on June 24 with America Is: Not Quite Seeing The Threats.

I hope everyone enjoys reading these essays as much as we enjoyed writing them.

The last word goes to Paul Simon: