I had the option of working today and taking Friday off instead. I opted to do the American thing, and take her day as it was meant to be taken. All but one of my coworkers opted for the three-day weekend, and I think Dan mostly did it for daycare reasons.

I was actually booked to play a gig in Tahoe today, but it was canceled due to the big fire. I suppose that makes me no more patriotic than the other guys, but I'm here with my family now, and ready to spend the day celebrating with them.

In the part of the USA in which I live—and in the circle of friends in which I run—it isn't very popular to say positive things about your country, unless your country isn't the United States. In California, patriot talk is socially the exclusive privilege of the right-wing/conservative/Republican "half" of the people. Which is total bullshit.

I'm not one of those people, and I'm still going to go ahead and say some nice things about the United States. I like it here, and I'm not embarrassed to say so.

The United States has the best beer selection on the globe. It also produces some of the best, and most unique beers on it. Sit down with one of your Brit friends (if you don't have one, make one, they are extremely pleasant people), and share an American IPA with them. A unique American beer can put a unique face on an unsuspecting Englishman.

American hardcore was the first music I was exposed to that I didn't detest. 7 Seconds, Minor Threat, Dead Kennedys, and Bad Brains changed music for me, which changed my life. Freedom of speech, political and social angst, DIY... nothing is more American than that.

The internet upon which you read these very words was created in the good old USA. Until recently, the United States also officially controlled its operation and regulation. To this point, you can thank the USA for keeping it a place where anything goes. Even horrible things that aren't even a go in the United States. Imagine how fun the internet wouldn't be if China was in charge of it...

In America, if someone tries to hurt you or your family, armed men will show up and risk their lives—and fight to the death if need be—to make sure you are not harmed.

In America, if you are involved in a horrible accident, emergency technicians will quickly arrive to do everything possible to save your life, even going as far as to fly you to the nearest hospital in a helicopter.

In America, smart people in suits will argue in your defense if someone accuses you of a crime, even if you can't afford to pay them.

In America, you have a protected right to worship or not worship whomever or whatever you wish.

In America, you can change your mind, speak your mind, and make it apply. It's pretty, it's large, it's sort of shaped like a pig, and it's quite a nice place to live.

Cheers to the Brits for being such good sports! We've come a long way.