By Sherman Smith | editor-in-chief
Good morning! And happy 250th!
Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom
OPINION
On the the 250th anniversary of the U.S., caught between a firecracker and a snake in the grass
By Tamara Moots
One of my earliest memories of America is lighting a firecracker on a picnic table bench across the yard from my watching parents and aunts and uncles on July 4.
Picture a little towheaded tomboy in a sundress around 6 years old in the 1980s. As a rule, I refused to wear dresses. But it was a holiday, and my mom insisted. The firecrackers and homemade strawberry ice cream after were to celebrate America’s birthday. July 4 was near enough to my birthday in early July that I imagined the party was for me, too.
They carefully explained the rules.
I was to light the firecracker and then run back to safety with the adults while not burning myself with the lit punk. This sounded like a solid plan and fairly safe. However, no one counted on the snake in the grass. No metaphor here — there was an actual snake, probably a harmless rat snake.
I have always been terrified of snakes. It did not help that this snake seemed massive. The long dark length of it stretched far into the grass, disappearing on both sides in front of me.
So, there we were: me, the snake, the lit firecracker and America. I ran from the firecracker until I met the snake. Then I ran from the snake back to the firecracker. Then I slowly backed into the middle ground between the two and hoped for the best while America and my family watched from a distance.
This, then, has always felt like the story of my generation.
Sam Gauntt/States Newsroom
America’s 250th birthday is on sale. Where’s all that merch money going?
WASHINGTON — What’s more American than apple pie? Capitalism. And an array of merchandise and influence is on sale for the 250th birthday of the United States.
An America250 $275 Liberty Lux American Prosperity decorative throw pillow, anyone? How about a $25 Freedom 250 youth tee?
America250, a commission created by Congress a decade ago, and Freedom 250, President Donald Trump’s entity formed last year, each operate on their own respective tracks as a nonprofit and as a limited liability company. Both are employing staff, soliciting corporate donors and spending taxpayer funds.
Gov. Laura Kelly fills top administrative position at Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission
TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly nominated an 18-year employee of the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission to serve as acting executive director of the agency responsible for regulating state-controlled casinos and sports wagering.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
1 p.m. July 11, South Branch Library in Kansas City, Kansas. Opinion editor Clay Wirestone joins a panel discussion: "Elected vs Appointed: Inform Your Choice." Hosts: Voter Rights Network of Wyandotte County, Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, the League of Women Voters of Johnson County, and El Centro.
5:30 p.m. July 23, Emporia Art Center. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
2 p.m. Sept. 27, Red Rocks Visitor Center in Emporia. Host: Red Rocks.
If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Sherman Smith at [email protected].
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