The Glorious Fourth

. . .was, indeed, glorious if glory is counted by the decibel. In our little neighbourhood last night, we were up to our oxters in recreational explosives and celebratory incendiary devices. The house didn't burn down and all the local children seem still to have ten fingers and two eyes this morning and so it would appear that all is well.

But the state of the Republic? Ah. Alas, another story altogether.