It’s the third time that Independence Day has fallen on a Saturday since I began writing my annual July 4th post. It’s also the third time I’ve merged it with Saturday Odds & Sods. The two are compatible and get along better than most families, certainly my own family.

Team MAGA is attempting to hijack the 250th anniversary. They mistakenly believe that Trumpism is patriotism. It is not: cults of personality are anathema to democratic self-government. That was a fancy way of saying that they’re full of shit.

I dig how I started last year’s post. It still works for 2026:

It’s been a rough year, but regardless of how bad things are, it’s time to celebrate a country that’s worth saving. America has faced down difficult challenges many times in our history, for the first time since the War of the Rebellion, the enemy is within our borders; even worse it’s in the White House. I hate calling the other party the enemy but that’s what they are, a clear and present danger to our freedoms. That’s what the Fourth of July is all about: FREEDOM.

Repeat after me: Who calls the tune? Citizens, not the wannabe dictator.

Without further ado, let’s return to our regularly scheduled annual programming:

It’s time for my annual Independence Day post. I don’t like fireworks, so all I’ve got for you is some American music. Put your hands together for Dave Alvin, Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Aimee Mann, The Blasters, Los Lobos, and The 5th Dimension.

Finally, the 5th Dimension with the Declaration of Independence set to music:

Happy 250th Birthday ‘Merica.