Yankee Doodle Dandy
America is 248 years-old today and struggling a bit these days. We have to find our footing, don’t you think.
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When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Yep. On this Fourth of July, the Chron hard copy has the entire Declaration of Independence on the opinion page as today’s E-Board take.
In 2024, it is probably a good idea to review the grievances in the document. Go check it out.
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Commentary has one quick errand to run today. I am pretty much sticking around the house. There are some good flicks on the Fourth of July today on the flat screen. “Casablanca,” “Notting Hill,” and “The Magnificent Seven,” the original one, are on. Of course, you can’t have an Independence Day without “Independence Day.”
Folks know my favorite Fourth of July flick is “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with James Cagney. See the featured photo. Cagney won the Oscar for Best Actor. It has some of the best patriotic tunes like “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Over There,” and of course, “The Yankee Doodle Boy.”
The third hour of “Today” is live from Herald Square this morning. Herald Square is across the street from Macy’s.
Remember me to Herald Square
Tell all the gang at Forty-Second Street
That I will soon be there
From “Give My Regards to Broadway,” also from “Yankee Doodle Dandy.
There is Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest to watch and the awarding of the yellow mustard belt.
The Macy’s Fourth of July Spectacular on NBC is on this evening.
The Capitol Fourth 2024 on PBS is also a nice watch tonight.
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Speaking of movie tunes, if you know cinema stuff, you know that everyone knows the theme from “The Magnificent Seven.” Even if you have not seen the flick, you know the tune. It has stood the test of time, but it didn’t win the Oscar for Best Original Score. It got nominated but didn’t win. Ok, I will tell you what score took home the Oscar that year. “Exodus.” I can hum the theme to “Exodus.” Can you? I don’t think I would hum it though while watching the latest news from Gaza. Just saying.
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This afternoon at noon, the Astros wrap up the four game series in Toronto. We had a good win last night and are now two games behind in the AL West. How about that.
Congrats to Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez for being elected starters to the MLB All Star Game.
Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July.