I grew up in the DC area and was a cub scout during the bicentennial. It was an endless series of events, stretching over months. We saw the Tall Ships. The Air and Space museum just opened along with the first line of the DC metro. We did a Jamboree ... somewhere. AP Hill probably.

We all had school pics that looked like this: https://media.muckrack.com/profile/images/168525/marcy-wheel...

This time, it's a very different vibe. In 1976 we loudly celebrated the diversity that made us better.

This year, what is most worthwhile about the US - what is ethical, thoughtful and kind - all of that is under brutal attack by the most powerful, ruinous, corrupt interests I've ever witnessed.

It isn't at all clear to me what will remain of us in 2076.

https://archive.fo/oy09i