After The Fireworks, by Rivera Sun

Fireworks

Image by Colin Knowles via Flickr

by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published on July 19, 2021
July 6, 2022

Winds of Change is the third novel in the Dandelion Trilogy by Rivera Sun. It’s a wild tale of resistance and resilience, people-powered democracy movements and the race for climate justice.

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The American Nightmare, by Kenn Orphan

2022 March For Our Lives 19

Image by Stephen Melkisethian via Flickr

by Kenn Orphan
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Halifax, Nova Scotia
July 5, 2022

A father hid his young son in a dumpster as he searched for the rest of his family amid rapid gun fire…

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Put Away The Flags, by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
July 4, 2022

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

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I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism,” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 3, 2022

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

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Where Is Your Loyalty? by The Man From the North

I Will Stand With The Most Vulnerable

Image by Lorie Shaull via Flickr

The Essays of The Man From the North by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published May 1, 2017
June 27, 2022

For all the avowed patriots who demand my Pledge of Allegiance and salutes on Loyalty Day, Fourth of July, and other patriotic, militarized holidays, I fling this question to your hearts: how deep and far does your loyalty to your country run?

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After The Fireworks, by Rivera Sun

Fireworks

Image by Colin Knowles via Flickr

by Rivera Sun
Writer, Dandelion Salad
July 19, 2021

Winds of Change is the third novel in the Dandelion Trilogy by Rivera Sun. It’s a wild tale of resistance and resilience, people-powered democracy movements and the race for climate justice.

Continue reading

The Fourth is an Annual Day of Collective Amnesia, by Kenn Orphan

Lies

Image by tq2cute via Flickr

by Kenn Orphan
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Halifax, Nova Scotia
July 5, 2021

“​Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.” — Albert Einstein

“Flags are bits of colored cloth that governments use first to shrink-wrap people’s brains and then as ceremonial shrouds to bury the dead.” — Arundhati Roy

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Put Away The Flags, by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
July 4, 2021

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Continue reading

I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism,” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 2, 2021

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

Continue reading

Untold Truths About the American Revolution, by Howard Zinn

11_to have about ten men shot by their comrades

Image by Jim Surkamp via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally posted on July 4, 2009
July 1, 2021

There are things that happen in the world that are bad, and you want to do something about them. You have a just cause. But our culture is so war prone that we immediately jump from, “This is a good cause” to “This deserves a war.”

You need to be very, very comfortable in making that jump.

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I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 4, 2020

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

The Japanese pilots who bombed Pearl Harbor were being patriotic. The German people who supported Hitler and his conquests were being patriotic, fighting for the Fatherland. All the Latin American military dictators who overthrew democratically-elected governments and routinely tortured people were being patriotic — saving their beloved country from “communism”.

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Put Away The Flags by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
July 3, 2020

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Continue reading

Put Away The Flags by Howard Zinn

American Exceptionalism Exceptions

Image by Jagz Mario via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
crossposted at The Progressive (2006)
July 5, 2019

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

Continue reading

I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism” by William Blum

Patriotism

Image by rstrawser via Flickr

by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 4, 2019

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

The Japanese pilots who bombed Pearl Harbor were being patriotic. The German people who supported Hitler and his conquests were being patriotic, fighting for the Fatherland. All the Latin American military dictators who overthrew democratically-elected governments and routinely tortured people were being patriotic — saving their beloved country from “communism”.

Continue reading

Untold Truths About the American Revolution by Howard Zinn

11_to have about ten men shot by their comrades

Image by Jim Surkamp via Flickr

by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally posted on July 4, 2009
Excerpt from The Progressive, July 3, 2009
July 4, 2018

There are things that happen in the world that are bad, and you want to do something about them. You have a just cause. But our culture is so war prone that we immediately jump from, “This is a good cause” to “This deserves a war.”

You need to be very, very comfortable in making that jump.

Continue reading