THE WASHINGTON KABUKI THEATER HODGEPODGE!

     A belated happy Independence Day to all of you out there in Hodgepodge Land and elsewhere. America celebrated its 241st birthday yesterday. Upon reflecting upon the Declaration of Independence I come away with a few thoughts. First, the Declaration is an amazing document. It is, in my humble opinion, one of the finest documents ever written by man. Next, the men who signed the Declaration, by signing it, committed the capital offense of treason against the British Crown. Knowing this, they signed it anyway. Third, the men who signed the Declaration pledged their lives, their property and their sacred honor. 
     When in the course of human events it becomes necessary to participate in another Wednesday Hodgepodge, we do...

1. When and where were the best fireworks you've ever seen? Speaking of fireworks...do you know your hot buttons? The things people can say and/or do to set you off? When was the last time someone pushed one of your hot buttons?
     I have seen a fair amount of firework displays in my life but none of them stand out as exceptional. I've witnessed a few lightning storms that were remarkable.
     As far as hot buttons go, I am pretty laid back and am not easily angered. One thing that is sure to evoke a reaction from me is any perceived threat to my beloved SWMBO or other family member. It's been a very long time since anyone was dumb enough to push that button.
  
2. Have you hosted any outdoor summer parties this year? Attended any? What makes for a great outdoor party?
     I have not hosted or attended any outdoor summer parties. I have attended one or two outings where it was just SWMBO and me and another couple. I think a great outdoor party has three ingredients; (1) Great Food, (2) Great Music, and (3) Wonderful People.

3. What does freedom mean to you?
     Freedom means the ability to worship God as I choose, when I choose and how often I choose. Freedom means the ability to go where I choose, when I choose, for as long as I choose.  Freedom means the ability for me to say what I want, how I want and about anything that I want. Freedom means that I can associate with whoever I want and I can choose to not associate with anyone I choose. 
     Freedom means doing all the aforementioned things without fear of reprisal from any level of government.  

4. July is National Cell Phone Courtesy month...what annoys you most about people's cell phone habits?
     There are two cell phone habits that annoy me. First, are people who persist in using their cellphones while driving, in clear defiance of the law. Second, are people who are conducting business at a counter or other place and who don't have the courtesy to suspend or end their call while conducting their business. 

5. What's your current summer anthem?
     "Turn the Page" by Bob Seeger.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
     The "Swamp" continues to flourish in our Nation's Capitol. I seem to remember that part and parcel of the campaign promises of most of those running for office during the last election cycle was to "drain the swamp!" It seems to me that the swamp level is rising. 
     The attempt to replace Obamacare, which is imploding, is a HUGE disappointment. The Republicans, you remember them, they're the party in power, cannot get it's act together. The Democrats are predictably conducting themselves as obstructionists. 
     In short, it is the same old Kabuki Theater that the American people voted against during the last election cycle. God help us!