In his July 4 post, Independency and Dependency, Josh Ross presents something that’s part straw man argument and part false dichotomy.

After acknowledging that Independence Day will be celebrated for “as long as the US remains the US” and noting ways in which our nation has changed, Ross says what the U.S. actually commemorates on this holiday is “independency.” By using this variation of the term, he suggests Americans are paying tribute to a generic condition of self-sufficiency, rather than a specific, political Independence.

Having defined the holiday as such, Ross then goes on to indicate his prayer that we instead seek dependence upon God.

What we remember on Independence Day is not self-sufficiency, but instead our nation’s birth, our deliverance from tyranny, our political freedom, our equality and our mutual interdependence. The signers declared that they had mutually pledged to each other their “lives,” their “fortunes,” and their “sacred honor.”

And our celebration of Independence is certainly not in conflict with our dependence upon God. The founders wrote that we were entitled by God with political equality, and that our Creator had endowed all men “with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Furthermore, the signers wrote that our Declaration of Independence was supported “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.” John Adams wrote that this occasion “ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty,” celebrated each year with a “great anniversary festival.”

It’s clear that Ross misunderstands the nature and character of this great holiday, if not the nation itself, which may help explain why he believes “we need people who will refuse to be defined by American values and principles.”

Should we refuse to be defined by our reverence for the equality of mankind? Should we refuse to be defined by our understanding that our rights come from God? Or by our unique system of checks and balances that protect the people from tyranny? Or by our religious and political freedoms? Or by our representative democracy, our exhaustive justice system and transparent governance? By our history of defending liberty at home and abroad?

Should we be ashamed by our nation’s exploration, innovation, industry, diversity, opportunity and tolerance? Or by our dedication to diplomacy, philanthropy and justice? Should we be ashamed of our people’s generosity and optimism? By our eagerness to forgive our enemies, offer aid and amnesty to the destitute or stand as a beacon of freedom around the world?

I will never refuse to be defined by my belief in these uniquely American values and principles.

Step 1. Open an account on electronic social networking platforms like Youtube and Facebook.

Step 2. Wear a Che Guevara t-shirt.

Step 3. Support a Presidential candidate whose campaign has a Youtube and Facebook account and whose staff and supporters display Che Guevara flags and posters alongside the candidate’s signs.

First, BRCK BM surrogate Wesley Clark said McCain would represent Bush’s Third Term, as if the Bush-McCain split isn’t legendary.

Now Gen. Clark says McCain doesn’t have enough military experience, as if there were any national politician with a more impressive story of service and dedication to this country.

Just to save Gen. Clark some time, let’s list a few more brilliant attacks he could make:

• Cast McCain as a political outsider who doesn’t understand the political process or know the major players.
• Point to McCain’s lack of legislative achievement in the Senate, his failure to make a mark on Congress, and his inability to reach bipartisan compromise.
• Say McCain is too conservative to appeal to moderates and Democrats, people like, oh, and I’m just pulling out a random name here, Joe Lieberman.
• Explain why his policies are unpopular with Hispanic voters.
• Accuse him of pork-barrel spending.
• Question his patriotism.

That should get you through the next few weeks, General.

Did you see the announcement by the Florida Marlins this week, that they played a “carbon-neutral” game of baseball?

By the Marlins’ calculations, more than 440 metric tons of carbon dioxide would be emitted during the game, from people traveling to the ballpark, stadium operations and other means. The Marlins, the state and the nonprofit group carbonfund.org said the carbon footprint of the game would be offset through investments in reforestation projects across the Southeast.

That’s right, sports fans. You have endangered the planet with your incessant patronage of baseball.

But you can make good with the environmental alarmist Florida Marlins organization by never visiting their ballpark ever again. And just for good measure, it’s probably best to avoid the Marlins entirely — buy no merchandise, collect no memorabilia and watch no games on television, as any of these activities may release dangerous levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

The planet may be in imminent danger until we completely boycott the Florida Marlins.

Anybody have an extra “End” key for the iBook G4 handy?

I could use a spare; one of the puppies snatched mine and chewed it up.

On the bright side, I have a ready-made excuse for being late on my next writing assignment: the dog ate it.