I Believe... [Happy Fourth—Party in the ICU]

...that being proud to be American is not the same as being grateful to be American. The former trends toward a blind loyalty to a concept, the latter acknowledges that it’s far better than living in Communist China.

...that unrealistic expectations are the source of most anguish. Hope but do not expect.

...that, admittedly, Independence Day this year feels a bit like throwing a party for friend in a coma from an awful car accident who has no health insurance. “I’m sorry, sir. You can’t shoot that bottle rocket off in here. This is the ICU.”

...that the best protest of the overturning of Roe v. Wade would be to gather up 100,000 starving, unwanted American children and have them congregate around Amy Coney-Barrett’s house and try to sell her bottled water so they can get a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheet-os.

...that the road to trans rights is paved through stories told in popular culture. The Umbrella Acadeny, Star Trek, and The Orville show us how to empathize and embrace.