July 4, 2007, Atlanta, GA

Thank you, framers of the Declaration of Independence.

And thank you, champions of independence everywhere.

One year ago, I published my very first blog post, July 4, 2006, in which I described the scene at the Open Door Community shady backyard, where more than 500 hungry guests from Atlanta's streets enjoyed a delicious traditional holiday picnic. My friend Gary joined me on the second shift volunteer team. From noon to 3 pm, we refreshed and reset emptied places and wiped vacated seats, brought refills of food and drink, and, whenever possible, chatted with the guests — a slice of the American pie.

This year, in a holiday mood on my one-year blogging anniversary, I worked with Bill Huber (shown on the left), an Apple-certified Genius and Trainer, at the Apple Store in Lenox Mall. He is helping me to make my first movie, using my Macintosh. (Stay tuned for the premiere of Vivi soars in Atlanta production of Aristophanes' The Birds...)

While managing movie elements – titles, viewing speed, and sound track, among others, an e-mail popped into my mailbox. Incapable of ignoring new mail, I opened this from Angela, my friend and interfaith dialogue fellow in cyberspace —

Subject: RE: July 4th. Tribute
Date: July 4, 2007 10:50:54 AM EDT

Tamar,

At Mass this morning, our pastor spoke of how ‘under God’ became part of the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a movement of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Church’s fraternity of men. What interested me was President Eisenhower’s comments on the change: “These words will remind Americans that despite our great physical strength we must remain humble.”

Belief in the higher power of GOD gives us both strength and perspective on our weakness – humility – the opposite of arrogance.

I’ve told you before – these things always pop up during our [electronic] conversations. See attached [history of the Pledge and changes to its wording] for the full low-down on “under God.”

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Angela's Independence Day e-mail picks up a thread from the previous day:

On Jul 3, 2007, at 1:05 PM, Angela Yarman wrote:

Tamar, I just received this [tribute to the USA Flag by a military veteran] from a friend. With our conversation on my mind this morning, I thought of forwarding it to you, then I hesitated. I wondered if it would seem arrogant to you – although it admits arrogance. These used to be lofty, admirable ideals that every American would profess and be proud of. Now, it seems we are to be ashamed of our strength and our freedom. Not me.

Enjoy! Happy 4th of July!

On Jul 3, 2007, at 1:19 PM, Tamar Orvell wrote:

Thanks for sharing. Parts of the writing resonate with me. Other parts do not. Arrogance is one of my least favorite qualities.

I am a grateful citizen of two democracies and living in Israel helps me to appreciate the gifts and responsibilities of citizenship in both countries. I quarrel about much — policies, laws, and customs, as examples, in both countries. And this quarreling is one way I take responsibility.

Happy, happy Fourth!

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Back home from my movie-making lesson and interfaith dialog in cyberspace with Angela, I craft this post (with fireworks sounding from Lenox Mall) while scanning online news headlines and my favorite blogs. In her Tel Aviv Diary - July 4, 2007 entry, Karen Alkalay-Gut recaps her holiday celebrations (seven hours earlier):

I do not like fireworks. Usually I go inside and close the shades with like-fearing friends or family until it is over. After all, I was born in a bombing and have been too near shelling upon occasion throughout my life.

But last night, at the U.S. Ambassador's, when I found myself in the middle of an enormous crowd of people when the fireworks show was announced, I had no choice. And as I watched the sky and listened to the military band, I was filled with a remarkable sense of pride for America. The sycophantic words of [Israel's Prime Minister] Olmert, who spoke previously on the mutual interests of the U.S. and Israel, had rung so false in my ears, that I had thought I had no room left for anything but cynicism, but the rockets' red glare reminded me of that anxiety of Francis Scott Key and the relief that "our flag was still there." The song ran true. The fireworks were not just a sound and light show, but an assertion of the illumination of the victory of survival.

So even though we had been so worn out with our guests an hour before we had considered skipping the Fourth of July bash, I was euphoric all evening, was overwhelmed with a desire to eat the same kind of hotdog i had refused at numerous family picnics, and promised with enormous enthusiasm to go to a baseball game....

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Between my first blog post, July 4, 2006, and today, much has changed — in this blog, in me, in you, in this country, in this world.

Among what endures is this:

We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Preamble to Declaration of Independence (Excerpt)