Occasional podcast guest, contributor and kindred spirit, Don Williams, shared his latest missive with the Editor of his local paper - a “brushfire” we all can/should set as often as circumstances provide. Also - at no extra cost (ahem) - links to articles of interest. BW
The Editor
The Highland Recorder
In the past fortnight, we’ve witnessed remarkable celebrations of the USA, first through the reactions of tens of thousands of foreign visitors for the soccer tournament and secondly as we patriots have celebrated the 250th anniversary of the greatest nation the world has ever seen. There are untold numbers of accounts from these soccer visitors ecstatic about the grandeur of our geography, the generosity and hospitality of our people, and the joys of liberty in the USA. It enriched me to see our nation through the eyes of foreigners.
Among all that were a couple of news stories that caught my attention, one confirming and one concerning.
In the first case came the report that an analysis of the economic data revealed that our three poorest states, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas, had all surpassed England and Canada in aggregate per capita wealth. In other words, if either England or Canada were to be a US state, they would rank 51st in the average standard of living. There are consequences to both freedom and repression.
The second story of a pair of Gallup Survey polls, reported by the Associated Press, was a sobering twist to the celebration of our 250th national anniversary. In 2001 a Gallup Survey indicated that roughly 90% of both Republicans and Democrats were proud to be US citizens. Flash forward a quarter century and the results had dramatically shifted on one side of that equation. In a 2026 Gallup survey 93% of Republicans were proud to be US citizens, while barely a third of Democrats (38%) were proud to be Americans, and another large survey (Elon Univ.) indicated that 55% of Democrats expressed a preference to live somewhere other than the USA. It would be fascinating to know, 1) where these millions of people would rather live, and 2) why are they still here since they are free to go?
In 2004, Democratic Vice President candidate John Edwards asserted that there were “two Americas.” Now 20+ years later, that campaign rhetoric has become reality. Although the particulars have changed from Edwards’ platform, how can two populations coexist peacefully if they do not share any common vision, values or identity?
Don Williams
Monterey VA
Continuing the BWW practice of providing News That Doesn’t Make the News…
If you speak Irony, you might find this piece of interest…
Sticking with Irony (with a shovelful of hypocrisy and BS), check this out…
A pointed note of concern on “birthright citizenship”…
My new hero — and should be yours!
Linked as a public service - and warning…
On a serious note, the information in this post is invaluable…
Hope your 4th was more enjoyable than the MSM’s!
BW
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