Happy 250th

Saturday, July 04, 2026

Heather Cox Richardson: For all the fact that the congressmen got around the sticky little problem of Black and Indigenous enslavement by defining "men" as "white men," and for all that it never crossed their minds that women might also have rights, the Declaration of Independence was an astonishingly radical document.

Posted by lauramohr at 10:16 AM | 48 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Happy 250th to this country, whose constitution literally says no "presents" from foreigners![image or embed]
" Jesse Eisinger (@jeisinger.bsky.social) 9:10 AM Jul 4, 2026

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Happy Insurrection Day!

#1 | Posted by HanoverFist at 2026-07-04 08:51 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Welcome to the lowest point in US history since 1860.

#2 | Posted by Zed at 2026-07-04 08:57 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

When Trump/MAGA holler about America being an "exceptional" country, they are referring to the work and suffering of scores of millions of people who ARE NOT THEM.

I want to get back to the days when we try hard, stay honest, and aren't vicious before we FREAKING BRAG ABOUT OURSELVES.

#3 | Posted by Zed at 2026-07-04 09:04 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#4 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-04 09:08 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 3

My high school history teachers once said that America only really failed twice: the Civil War and the Great Depression.

At this particular moment in time, we've failed three times.

#5 | Posted by Zed at 2026-07-04 09:14 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

Westward expansion was a failure of imagination.

It didn't have to be So Destuctive.

Canada expanded Westward with far less Criminality and Gratuitous Destruction of ecosystems and animal populations.

American History is an Unbroken record of Lies and Broken Treaties.

Excess is the Norm in America.

Restraint is Weakness, Conservation is seen as Limiting "Property Rights".

The Sickest "Culture" the World has ever known.

Hitler based his Lebenstraum Policies and the Holocaust on American History.

He did to Europe in 5 years what the US did to North America in 150 years.

Expansion of the "Right" People at the Expense of Everything Else.

Hitler Failed because he moved too Fast.

#6 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-07-04 10:33 AM | Reply

America was an often misguided yet fervent attempt to put the People and some moral structure above the rankest of human impulses of Kings and Oligarchs.

It's for all practical purposes DOA now with a Gangster Government catering to those same banks and corporations that the Founders feared
would win out in the end.

The American People have more in common now with the peoples of Russia who's Dictator and Oligarchs are in complete control.

We the People had an inkling of a chance with the New Deal and the Great Society, but Republicans and too many Democrats sold us out for their own personal gain.

Goodbye America, it's been nice to know ya.

#7 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-04 11:02 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

It's difficult to be happy; the country has never been more corrupt or divided than now. And all because of one man, and the trolls and broken, mrally bankrupt citizens who recognized him as one of their own.

Now the world hates us except for Israel. And all they do is use us while bribing our politicians.

It was a nice experiment; but now we are a corrupt oligarchy, not much different than Hungary in nature.

#8 | Posted by e1g1 at 2026-07-04 11:10 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

You lefties are miserable people.

Happy birthday to the greatest nation the world has ever known!

#9 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-07-04 11:12 AM | Reply

Patricide Jeff is the racist loser who killed his father to prove his loyalty to pedo 47.

#10 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-07-04 11:17 AM | Reply

Ever Known?

You must be Hallucinatin'

Not altogether Bad in every aspect, I would acknowledge, but Greatest Ever Known?

C'mon Man, Get Real.

Human History overall is a bloodbath of Course.

The US just Industrialized it and made it Glamorous to the Rubes looking in from outside.

In Two generations your descendants, if you have any, will not "love" it like you do.

That's a wager I would make.

#11 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2026-07-04 11:23 AM | Reply

You Lumpers (sic) are miserable people.

Yeah I thought these Lumpers would, for one day, drop the partisanship and just enjoy the moment.

But nope ...... the only take away is that they are miserable people.

#12 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-07-04 11:24 AM | Reply

Goodbye America, it's been nice to know ya.

#7 | POSTED BY CORKY

Figures a Boomer would be a quitter, extract all the wealth for themselves then just leave. I hope they tax your estate so your offspring get nothing!

#13 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-07-04 11:26 AM | Reply

"You lefties are miserable people."

Fug off, you miserable piece of human filth.

And it is, most definitely, a miserable situation in this country...created by garbage human beings like yourself.

#14 | Posted by Angrydad at 2026-07-04 11:27 AM | Reply

".. Members of the group Patriot Front wait to board the Metro on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on the Fourth of July in Washington, D.C."

bsky.app

Typical MAGAt scum.

#15 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-07-04 11:28 AM | Reply

I'm just thoroughly glad and eternally grateful that the 2024 Democrats paid strict attention to the millions and millions of antiwar Samaritans, pacifists, and pro-Palestinian volunteers to secure their crucial 7,371,247 votes on Tuesday 5 Nov 2024 -- prioritizing America's 342,000,000 people of all denominations ahead of Israel's 7,200,000 Jews-- or the US would be in seriously awful shape today.

#16 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-04 11:31 AM | Reply

It's as if leftists are incapable of being anything other than miserable.

#17 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-07-04 11:33 AM | Reply

#15 | Posted by reinheitsgebot

Vile dirtbags...stinkerbell's people.

#18 | Posted by Angrydad at 2026-07-04 11:33 AM | Reply

"Members of the group Patriot Front wait to board the Metro on the 250th anniversary of US independence on the Fourth of July in Washington, DC."

Why? Are they going to attack the US Capitol again?

#19 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-04 11:34 AM | Reply

I'll get back to you after the current pos is out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave and we end our current experiment with fascism.
A whole buncha rich people need to see the inside of a prison cell.

#20 | Posted by morris at 2026-07-04 11:34 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#17

It's as if you're incapable of rational judgement, or telling the truth.

#21 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-07-04 11:37 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

It's as if leftists are incapable of being anything other than miserable.

#17 | Posted by BellRinger

And you're in the best of all possible worlds, aren't you, Dr Pangloss?

#22 | Posted by morris at 2026-07-04 11:39 AM | Reply

Happy birthday to the greatest nation the world has ever known!

#9 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

By which metric or standard?

The Roman Empire lasted longer. The U.S. Constitution was explicitly inspired by the checks and balances of the Roman Republic.

Roman roads and infrastructure still exist today. The Roman Empire collapsed 1500 years ago. I do wonder at this rate what will be left of America in 1,500 years.

The Mongol Empire: At its peak, the Mongol Empire was a contiguous superpower that could not be matched by any contemporary rival.

The Egyptian Kingdoms lasted 3000 years. What will be left of us in 3000 years?

Regardless. Happy Birthday US.

We made it 250 years. Barely.

#23 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 11:39 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"Why? Are they going to attack the US Capitol again?"

LOL!!!

At least it's nice to see them taking pro-active measures to avoid spreading their nasty fuggin germs all over th' goddam place...

#24 | Posted by Angrydad at 2026-07-04 11:40 AM | Reply

Traitorous filth.

bsky.app

#25 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-07-04 11:45 AM | Reply

- extract all the wealth for themselves then just leave

Says the mope who, after making his money here, is planning to retire to one of the Most Corrupt Countries in the world... after giving their Sec Forces his DNA.

#26 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-04 12:00 PM | Reply

#27 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-07-04 12:05 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

It's as if leftists are incapable of being anything other than miserable.

#17 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

Some Americans disagree with you.

So you hate on them and call them a name.

How American of you.

#28 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 12:11 PM | Reply

" So you hate on them and call them a name"

I haven't called anyone a name. To be so miserable on the 4th is a jarring sight to behold.

#29 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-07-04 12:16 PM | Reply

Amazing, really, that people like JBellybutton think that Trump is just another President, no better no worse, really... bidness as usual... and that anyone who sees him as the Grifting Gangster that he is is playing politics.

How incredibly ignorant and or nave and or disingenuous can one Polak be?

#30 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-04 12:17 PM | Reply

I hope they tax your estate so your offspring get nothing!

#13 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

Thank you Commie Spyboy wannabe for those insane birthday wishes for an American (which I understand you wish to become) on our 250th.

#31 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 12:17 PM | Reply

I'm just thoroughly glad and eternally grateful that the 2024 Democrats paid strict attention to the millions and millions of antiwar Samaritans, pacifists, and pro-Palestinian volunteers to secure their crucial 7,371,247 votes on Tuesday 5 Nov 2024 -- prioritizing America's 342,000,000 people of all denominations ahead of Israel's 7,200,000 Jews-- or the US would be in seriously awful shape today.
#16 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-04 11:31 AM

Musk stole the election for Trump.

Republicans have always foiled voters, ever since they were Democrats.

Israel has been at the heart of nearly all of our national tragedies, from assassinating JFK to murdering thousands on 9/11 and it's planned subsequent invasions.

I have every faith that this traitorous government is dead, sure as gasoline prices will spark revolt and data centers will burn.

Empty bank day will replace July 4th.

#32 | Posted by redlightrobot at 2026-07-04 12:21 PM | Reply

I haven't called anyone a name. To be so miserable on the 4th is a jarring sight to behold.

#29 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

Being realistic and being miserable are two different things.

But that's not it. You called us "leftists". As though it is some kind of insult.

On my country's 250th Birthday even!

#33 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 12:21 PM | Reply

Happy birthday to the greatest nation the world has ever known!

#9 | Posted by BelRinger

damn straight....and the replies here are just what was expected..

---BUT YOU'RE EXPECTING people who attack Musk for instance...a man who has done more to protect the environment than all the "experts" put together.....neurolink....starlink bringing internet to millions of people around the world...PEOPLE Who have never done squat in comparison..
People who talk tough but are just cowards...Who jumped here knowing this was posted to do just one thing... A central place for the bitches to bitch

... Happy 250 to the most prosperous and benevolent country in the history of the world... Regardless of the f-g lies from the lying fx... Here / media And abroad.

#34 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2026-07-04 12:21 PM | Reply

Happy 250 to the country that just double-tapped an Iranian middle school.

~ stupidfuckdan ~

#35 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2026-07-04 12:25 PM | Reply

"I haven't called anyone a name."

On today of all days there would not be leftists or magatards or whatever.

We should only all be Americans. E Pluribus Unum.

But realistically?

That's not really possible is it? And you just proved it.

#36 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 12:27 PM | Reply

The intensity of partisan hostility in America is at its highest point since the God Damned Civil War.

On our 250th anniversary we are now the Divided States of America.

It's really tough for a thinking man to pretend it is not so.

#37 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 12:35 PM | Reply

Did Felon Musk steal the Tuesday 5 Nov 1968 election?

And how was Israel involved in JFK's assassination?

Looking for conspiracies and wraiths is not helpful, but use of Occam's Razor is.

The antiwar movement in the US is as old as the American Revolution and the Democratic Party ignored them in 1968 and 2024.

That's all it is.

No twisted logic, conspiracies, smoke and mirrors, nada.

Just math.

#38 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-07-04 12:37 PM | Reply

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA.

BWAAAAAAAAA

--FBI reports coming from mole in Newsom inner circle... A mole with a wire...
. Oh damn!! ..What a great !!! birthday present for this most exceptional country !!!
( Hope he stays alive long enough to enjoy the celebration.)

--One reply... Too much pride and love of country to waste more time today with your miserable loser attitudes...
---you know what to do and how soon to do it....heh heh....heh heh...

#39 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2026-07-04 12:43 PM | Reply

On our 250th anniversary we are now the Divided States of America.

If you're upset and not willing to celebrate your own countries independence day because the other party is in power, then you aren't an American, you don't know even know what America means.

On any other day I wouldn't call into question your patriotism, but on this day of all days you should be celebrating not crying over spilt milk.

#40 | Posted by oneironaut at 2026-07-04 12:44 PM | Reply

Happy 250th to the greatest nation Earth.

It just wouldn't be The Retort if we didn't kick off the celebration without revisiting slavery, now, would it?

#41 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2026-07-04 12:45 PM | Reply

#35 | Posted by reinheitsgebot

reminds me that after midterms I've got a special message just for you.

#42 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2026-07-04 12:46 PM | Reply

- because the other party is in power

More weak nonsense, same absurd source... even the Republicans with the Crook Nixon and the Oligarch Tool Reagan weren't actual Convicted Felons, Gangster Grifters, and Pedophile Protectors.

This isn't your Mom's Republican Party, it's the Oligarch's Tool Box of Fascist Dictatorship not seen since 1930's Germany, or as the not so Honorable VP once put it, Trump is, "America's Hitler".

#43 | Posted by Corky at 2026-07-04 12:54 PM | Reply

"you aren't an American, you don't know even know what America means".

Says the commie spyboy wannabe who apparently is not even an American.

"On any other day I wouldn't call into question your patriotism"

Liar. You are just another scoundrel that hides behind "patriotism".

Scoundrels like you try to weaponize patriotism as a cover for your corruption and self-interest.

Like you have a clue as to what that actually means.

Your "self interest" is only to constantly pick at Americas scabs.

#44 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 12:55 PM | Reply

America is still America.

But the country most of us grew up in no longer exists.

It's the next chapter of American history.

Best of luck to a glorious nation that once championed justice and liberty.

#45 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-07-04 12:58 PM | Reply

This isn't your Mom's Republican Party, it's the Oligarch's Tool Box of Fascist Dictatorship not seen since 1930's Germany, or as the not so Honorable VP once put it, Trump is, "America's Hitler".

Yeah. It's pretty disgusting to watch them keep trying to normalize Trumpy's insanity his hatefulness and his crimes against America and the world.

#46 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-07-04 12:59 PM | Reply

It just wouldn't be The Retort if we didn't kick off the celebration without revisiting slavery, now, would it?

#41 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Talk about predictable... IE.. musk steals elections but dems are ok with billionaires selecting a woman who never got a single primary vote .. while puking out BS about GOP destroying Democracy at the same time the DNC oligarchy is attacking ....the " oligarchy "..

..I should get the rights to " 2 faced hypocritical liars "

#47 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2026-07-04 01:00 PM | Reply

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

- The preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America.

#48 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-07-04 01:01 PM | Reply