What Does Independence Day Mean to a Liberal?

Yesterday I could be found traipsing about the Free Republic of West Athens, Maine, catching up with many old friends as we watched costumed hippies and activists sing and dance and marched. There were lots of jubilant roadside celebrations as people sectioned off by hometown, put their coolers to good use, challenged each other to epic squirt gun battles, and joined squads of dazed, debauched hooligans.

Today, someone at The Phantasy Tour Message Board posed the question, “What do liberals do on the Fourth of July?”. Though the question was definitely meant to slam on liberal patriotism (conservative Phish phans? what is the world coming to?!), I realized this crazy little back road of anarchy populated with hippies and college students was the perfect way for a young liberal like myself to spend Independence Day. First of all, the event continues the cultural traditions of pride, community, and celebration that we perform ritualistically in honor of the holiday without promoting consumerism and blind patriotism. Instead of spending money on little flags made in China, decorating the front lawn with them, and inviting a few friends over for some beef steaks, attendants of the West Athens parade can celebrate without selling out. That’s because liberal people see the value in celebrating a community, yes, but irresponsible capitalism, no. The parade included floats championing many causes, including peace, green energy and environmentalism, public access to forested and natural areas, and the issues with the Olympics and oppression in China.

Given the fact that this event is about 40 mins from my home, I often find many of my old high school classmates hanging out there in masses and getting back to their seriously small, small-town roots. In that way the parade fulfilled my desire to celebrate home, to think about what America means to me, what home means to me, and how these two things fit together in strange and interesting ways. For example, I think my small-town home is purely and characteristically American, in the most traditional and stereotypical ways: 100 % country lifestyle, lots of gossip, everyone knows everyone, high school football considered the holy grail, and wholesome, hardworking people with humble lifestyles; essentially John Cougar Mellencamp lived here and decided to write “Small Town” accordingly.

I have always considered this place my home and my community, but at the same time, I have many issues with it. The area suffers from rampant homophobia, racism, and general ignorance about many important issues. I have heard many people say that they don’t believe in global warming and I have also heard “gay” used as a slur thousands of times; most take no issue with the word “fag” or “faggot” either. I have always attributed the rigid bigotry of the area to the lack of education and the low incomes of the region.

The thing is, for whatever reason, every year on Independence Day, the liberal population of Somerset Country emerges in a town of 800 people, notorious for its allegedly high number of inbred natives. Despite the fact that many of the people in the area are often publicly called “hicks” or “rednecks” specifically because of their low incomes & lack of educational opportunities, and central and northern Maine is considered the “red” region of the state, the outcry against the government and the pronounced and informed dissent here suggests that even though generalizations may be partly accurate, there are liberal, peaceful-minded people with strong voices everywhere in this country.

This is a video from the event last year:

It was nice to see that there are people everywhere who feel strongly about getting back their freedoms in a much larger way. We had such a blast and I felt like I could be celebratory without acting like a hypocrite or suffering from cognitive dissonance because my Fourth of July was about patriotic dissent and not simple blind pride in a country that is continuously destroying itself.

Besides that, who doesn’t love a flower child?

May we all find peace, love, and happiness through our community, and may we discover the true power of each of those words when they are sincerely and responsibly sought after.

Hey guys! Let’s go on a road trip!

I have recently been getting into Sunny Day Sets Fire. They are extremely perky; I imagine myself jamming out to them on a golden day speeding along a delightfully lush back road with the sun roof open.

The first song I heard was “Brainless”, and it got me interested. Then I would recommend “Teenagers Talking”, “End of the World”, and “Wilderness”. “Wilderness” begins the album with bell and chime-like sounds that would nicely welcome a new day. The songs are all seem extremely expeditious; perfect for a road trip… and what is summer all about if not road trips?

You can check them out too at RCRD LBL . Sorry for the repeat promo, but I love this website.

“Yeah, Baby, that feels good. But why didn’t you shave your stubbly face?”

Dan Savage writes a column for Seattle’s The Stranger called Savage Love and one major aspect of his column is GGG sex. This refers to good, giving, and game, where good suggests actual skill in bed, giving suggests giving equal time and energy to sex, and game suggests open-mindedness to your partner’s kinky desires, even if they might not be your own. While I too consider the three G’s important to a healthy sexual relationship, I take issue with G number 2.

Let’s face it. Women have to put more prep time into their sex lives if they are going to be considered hot partners. First, women are expected to shave their legs, underarms, and even their nether regions. Second, women often take the extra time and care to buy sexy underwear. The first issue with these underwear is that they are usually expensive, let’s say around 5-10 dollars. Secondly, they often are extremely uncomfortable, especially if they are of the thong persuasion. Thirdly, they are just going to come off anyway. And beyond all of these aspects of feminine “giving” to the hetero sex life, there are all the other mindless acts of beauty she puts herself through.

Even though this is not actually a part of the sex itself, most women will admit to doing at least a few of these things in anticipation of an intimate moment with their partners. In Cosmopolitan magazine, any article that is not devoted to beauty (hair, clothing, makeup) is devoted to pleasing a man. In the June 2008 issue for example, I was appalled to see that Cosmo suggests you seduce your man every night of the week (talk about hard work!): On Monday, writer Myatt Murphy suggests that you “ask him to take you on the kitchen counter” and “spank him with a spatula”. On Tuesday, “Drip wax from a soy candle down his back and butt”, and even on Sunday she suggests, “Lounge around wearing nothing but your sexiest underwear, and see how long he’s able to resist you” (From “His G Spot and 7 Other Hidden Moan Zones, 121-123). If this magazine is supposed to reflect a woman’s equal role in her sex life with a man, then why is it that Maxim , Cosmo’s male counterpart, is not all about looking hot and pleasing your woman? Last time I opened Maxim, I was actually quite fascinated by articles about fixing cars, the top sports bars, and how to properly pack beers into a cooler.

After all of this female energy exerted just as a precursor to sex, I have to wonder how sex can be considered equal. Yes, women and men can do equal acts to each other, but this still puts women ahead as givers. Especially considering the number of women who fake orgasms, neglect to have orgasms, or fail to orgasm with their partners.

Thus, I propose that men take more time to prepare for sex. Instead of showing up all hairy and eager, perhaps next time do a little trimming. Some women (myself included) might even prefer you to shave those hairy legs. You should ask your partner how she feels; what kinds of things you could do to give more and expect less. If your partner is not having orgasms, this is inexcusable. You can make it happen, and if you can’t, then maybe you should not be getting off yourself.

Why don’t hetero woman demand more of dudes? I do not identify as straight, but I certainly would never get all strung up in lingere and stillettos unless I was with someone incredibly generous and industrious and, well skilled.

What are some solutions to this obvious gap between male and female giving in hetero sex? GG sex instead of GGG?

Ladies & Gentlemen, it’s time for me to share some new music! (applause).

You should try out Santogold’s new track, “Your Voice.” It is a really nice, slow, romantic tune, but it still has some sick beats and mixes in it. You can only find this song at RCRD LBL, and if you have not yet frequented that site, then I highly suggest you do. RCRD LBL is the perfect website for those who love new, independent music but have little money for purchasing it. You can find a bunch of amazing tracks from some hot hot artists.

I mean, you can’t find this amazing tune lol but you can find just about everything else you would want to hear right now. I grabbed some Glass Candy, Kid Sister, Art Brut, Cuizinier.

Walk it out, walk it out.