The Blog Formerly Known As Vote '08

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Your assignment today: Read the Declaration of Independence.

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(above: me watching fireworks, July 4th, 1975)

Now, I know what you’re thinking if you’re watching the above video - just what in the heck was that guy smoking? Well, believe it or not, animator Vincent Collins was commissioned to create this little slice of 1970s psychedelia by none other than the United States Information Agency for America’s Bicentennial. The agency’s mission was “to understand, inform and influence foreign publics in promotion of the national interest, to broaden the dialogue between Americans and U.S. institutions and their counterparts abroad, and to foster exchanges of students, professors, and diverse categories of citizens between the U.S. and foreign societies.” In other words, you could say this was the propaganda wing of the U.S. government (not that there’s anything wrong with that). After being in operation for 46 years, the agency closed shop in 1999. John McCain has recently said he’d like this Agency to be revived.

Here’s me in the 1976 Bicentennial 4th of July Bike Parade in St. Joseph, Missouri. I’m in the center of the shot, with my head turned away from the camera. You can tell by my tube socks & short shorts that it’s the 1970s.

I hope you take some time today between barbecues & lighting firecrackers to remember what a wonderful country we live in, all thanks to some brave men who put their lives on the line 232 years ago today so that we all may be free!

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& remember: Light fuse & get away!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!!!!!

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