By Steve Pomper
The signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia, 1776, painted by John Trumbull, 1819
During the Independence Day weekend, my wife and I always watch the John Adams miniseries and The Patriot because it makes us feel proud of our miraculous and exceptional nation. Some folks claim the U.S. is not exceptional. But history, and our friends abroad, tell us how true it is. On July 3rd, 2014, U2’s Bono gave a powerful speech at Georgetown University. Bono, an Irishman, issued an eloquent validation of American exceptionalism.
In part, the activist/singer notes, “Ireland’s a great country, but it’s not an idea… That’s how we see you…, as one of the greatest ideas in human history… It’s an American idea… The idea that you and me are created equal… This country was the first to claw its way out of darkness and put that on paper [The Declaration of Independence]. (short clip) (long version).
Bono, Lead Singer Irish Rock Band U2
The 4th of July always makes me remember, about being a cop, that there is probably no other occupation where employees apply the founding documents of the United States in real life, daily. Every time cops interact with people, especially when enforcing the law, they’re continually consulting the Constitution.
My partner, and I once had a visiting Dutch police officer ride with us. Great guy. While patrolling, he asked us why we didn’t stop a driver that had swerved a bit. We said it was minor, so we were waiting to see another violation before making a traffic stop. He said, “You mean you need a reason to stop cars here.” American exceptionalism.
He said in Holland, he could stop any car at any time. He saw our “rules” as a weakness that hindered us. We explained law enforcement shouldn’t be easy in a free country. The Netherlands may be a wonderful, free country, but it’s not exceptional.
I was a cop where fireworks are banned. And I must admit I confiscated fireworks during my career. Do I feel bad about it now? A bit. But those people knew it was illegal, and people can change laws.
Fireworks can be hazardous, like so many things, and those guilty of misuse should be held accountable. However, I have a hard time reconciling fireworks bans with American liberty. Especially since I read John Adams’ exaltation to all Americans on how he wanted everybody to celebrate the Independence Day:
“It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations [fireworks], from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”
John Adams 2nd President of the United States
People misuse fireworks, but it seems there’s a better balance than total bans, which seem un-American. Perhaps, limiting fireworks to one day, Independence Day, could be a compromise.
The 4th was one of my longest shifts every year. Oddly, lefty Seattle had two large professional fireworks displays, one at Gas Works Park on Lake Union and one at Myrtle Edwards Park on Elliot Bay. Large crowds gathered at the parks and around the city.
My partner and I were assigned a traffic/crowd control post. I recall, except for one year when we had a riot, most years the crowds were well-behaved.
Though I didn’t relish the long shift (11:00 a.m. July 4th – 2:00 a.m. July 5th), I now recall most of those years with fondness. One SFD fire crew would park their ladder truck at a nearby and invite us to climb up for one of the best views in the city.
Unchanged are the cops working to keep people safe wherever there are public Independence Day celebrations. An independence that has benefitted our nation and countless people around the world—including the Brits (sorry, had to do it).
Appreciation for American sacrifice from unknown French person in Normandy, France
Bono continued, from above, “And God loves them for it because these aren’t just American ideas anymore. There’s no copyright on them. You brought them into the world—the wide world now. And all Americans say they have a bit of the world in them, and you do. Your family tree has lots of branches. But the thing is, the world has a bit of America in it too. These truths—your truths—their self-evident—in us.”
Independence Day Parade, Boston, Mass.
When celebrating the 4th of July and our exceptional nation, let’s remember of what this eloquent foreigner reminds us. How fortunate we are to be Americans living in the United States. Cops demonstrate they agree with this sentiment every single day by protecting Americans and our Constitution.