I confess that this will be a day of confusion and mixed emotions for me.

[Atticus]

Before covid, the Fourth of July was always a happy mid-summer red-white-and-blue excuse to fire up the grill, sip a few brews and ooh and ah as fireworks stabbed the night sky. I thought that our return to semi-normal would permit us to once again be happy, but then, just in the past few weeks,----

---a minority RULED that anyone can carry their firearm of choice virtually anywhere;

---a minority RULED that women cannot manage their own bodies or medical care;

---a minority RULED that the EPA---and any other federal regulatory agency---has no power to regulate despite clear Congressional authorization;

---that same minority is preparing to issue RULINGS that will permit like-minded minorities to guarantee future minority RULE, permit open persecution of LGBTQ folks, destroy unions and put people of color "back in their place".

So, forget the red and white. Today I'm just blue.

[Tetrachloride]

1. For me, the Fourth and everyday is a war for democracy, nature and health.

On Thanksgiving, I acknowledge what I have, more officially than on other days.

Be happy in your work.

My job has unique burdens, especially this week, especially today. Be grateful for what we have, persevere and maybe triumph. As for myself, I am not yet sure what the day will bring.

[BlackSkimmer]

2. The Round of 16 in Wimbledon.

Always a great day in my household.

So sorry for your ennui.

[pamdb]

3. 4th

Ever since we’ve had dogs,I’ve hated fireworks.

My 4th consists of sending donations to planned parenthood and Democratic candidates running for office.

[IngridsLittleAngel]

4. I can't say I celebrated it

For those very reasons. Our nationwide gun problem (which is now our top news story... yet... again!) The overturning of Roe. Handcuffing the EPA. The nonstop LGBTQ hatred. Feeling like the country is being overran by UltraMAGAs.

The last thing I felt like doing yesterday was waving a flag and yelling "Rah! Rah! Rah!" I just can't "celebrate our independence" when it feels like my head is in someone's crosshairs and they're just itching to strip my human rights and erase me.

Forget the red and white indeed. I'm blue... Or maybe black and blue.

[Stuart G]

5. Very Sad. I live 10 miles away from shooting, I went past that spot last week, on way to relative.

They also live in Highland Park.