Happy 4th to the Americans.
But I'll be honest, today just feels like Massive Second-hand Embarrassment Day. I'm so glad I'm not home right now.

As someone from DC who knows where to go to see some good fireworks, has been to The Mall multiple times for the fireworks show and suffered through tourism nightmares for two decades of my life. Before and after 9/11 changes to security. I'm just...

^ There's irony in that emote somewhere

But seriously, a military parade? My first thought was Well, traffic is even MORE fucked. So that's smart.

Also, how is the Folklife Festival handling ... all this? And I find out the answer is they're not.

The budget cuts are so significant a two-week festival that used to invite royalty was only 2 days this year.

Actually, that there sums it up.

Rather than budget for a festival that invites other countries and cultures to participate and educate, we have budgeted for tanks to drive down the street.

but what's more American than swinging our figurative dicks around via our tanks?

what the hell...folklife festival is only 2 days?

that's really disappointing

And ya, look at their website

I usually get spammed with emails about them DESPERATELY needing volunteers and this year it was radio silence

I guess this is why

aghhhh. that's so depressing