Happy Independence Day

Just a few days after Iraq's National Sovereignty Day, we have American Independence Day. I think it's appropriate that the two holidays are so close together.

Anyway, I want to wish everyone happy Independence Day--it looks like I'll be out of town until almost the first of August. I do have a request for anyone who reads this--if you spend the rest of the year as some sort of "hyphenated-American," try putting it aside for just this one day. Stop dividing everyone you meet by color, gender, or whatever else it is you're hyphenating... and just be an American.

You might even find you enjoy it! I hope it becomes a habit.