Before I get to the meat of the matter a quick observation re Trump's 4th of July fest. His speech wasn't a crafted from his campaign material. Yea. However, I have done a multivariable analysis and it shows that countries that have more and bigger military parades tend to have declining relative military strength (France being an epic example of this). Those with strong-relatively increasing military strength tend to shy away from the need to show their strength via military parades. Bottom line, in my experience the guy who talks a lot in a bar fight isn't the one you have to worry about--its the guy you didn't hear who is the most dangerous. Hopefully, the Donald's need to have a parade is more a reflection of his weakness, and not our country's.
Back to celebrating the 4th of July in Aspen and Chatham. Both are small towns with big vacation crowds who relish showing off their patriotism. There are some noticeable differences. Chatham definitely channels more old school WASP, fife, drum and tri corner hats, and nantucket red, while Aspen displays much heavy equipment and the tighty whities rollerblade team in red, white and blue body paint. Despite these differences, they have also both been infected by the need to call dibs.
At risk of sounding like a grumpy old man--I remember back in the day when you showed up at a parade a bit before the start and found a place to stand. In both Aspen and Chatham people started 'reserving' spots with blankets and chairs a day ahead of time. A similar thing happens with the Chatham band concert, as well as many of the outdoor concerts in Aspen. This is a kinda insidious problem--once a couple of people call dibs if you don't you could be left with a pretty bad view (really not the end of the world--I hear ya). However, are the voices of our better angels being drowned out by people shouting DIBS?
At risk of over-analysing reserving space on a parade route, what is up with the need to win the best spot? Shouldn't it be ok to get what you get and don't get upset? Do we really need rules to regulate this behavior (the tragedy of the commons). What happens if you mark your spot two days before the event? What about 3? If chairs and blankets are ok what about a bench or bleachers. And if bleachers are ok, how long until someone decides to make some money selling their prime reserved space? Is that capitalism at its finest or an individual motinizing a public good? For sure its a slippery slope.
I am all for competition and capitalism in its proper place. I am also a big believer in community, where we work together and enjoy things together. Yes the early bird gets the worm--but should everything be a worm that we compete for. If so, do you really want the inevitable rules that must follow to regulate that competition? And yes rules are necessary when we compete otherwise why call dibs? Just show up with the biggest gun and a willingness to use it, and the best spot is yours. Is that what makes American great?
Ok. Maybe I am ranting too much like a grumpy old man, but you get the point. And while we are celebrating the birth of American, it is a good time to remember how we all got here. If you aren't an American Indian, be thankful that no one called dibs on American and shut the door on your family's arrival. Today is a day to celebrate, let's do it as a community and next year leave the chairs and blankets at home.
God Bless America.
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