Monday is Patriots Day. At least in Massachusetts and our former fellow citizens in Maine. Paul Revere, William Dawes, etc. made their rides to turn out the minutemen and the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and the road back to Boston, were fought. My town's minutemen got there too late (it was a long haul) for the fight.
And a nation was born.
I live in one of those little New England towns, now a Boston exurb. We've got the white churches, stone walls, and open town meeting. Not happy about town taxes or spending? Spend a night in the high school gym and we'll talk about it. And vote on it.
Normally I celebrate the Day on a sidewalk watching the Boston Marathon. Then home to catch the end of the morning Red Sox game, timed to end about the time the lead runners get to Kenmore Square, on the tube. We like our traditions.
This year, though, I celebrate another April school vacation week tradition. College tours.
Which brings me to my point, and the title of this sparse little diary. I bleed Michigan Blue. But I love my daughter more (close one though, and don't even think of Oh Shit U), so we are off to other Big 10 (or 12) schools.
So, On to Wisconsin.
I will celebrate this Patriots Day with the true Patriots, the Badger Progressives. Those Patriots that have taught the rest of us, again, how to stand and fight. To fight against a government controlled by wealth and privilege. To fight against a government that would deny them their right to freely associate, to petition their government for redress of grievances. To fight against a government that seeks to impose stealth slavery, to drive workers to the bottom of society, instead of valuing their work. To fight against a government that reviles democracy, that acts through treachery, deceit, and dishonesty. A government that seeks to drive the people from their capitol, to deny them access to their duly elected representatives, that would seek to imprison their representatives.
Collective action for the good of all. That was the essence of the New England that rose in rebellion in 1775. That is the essence of the Badgers that rose in revolt in 2011.
This is going to be a very fast visit, almost a drive-by. It's an eight hour haul to the next school, after all. But I am glad I get to celebrate Patriots Day in Wisconsin. Go Blue Red!
Now where can I get a good lunch?
p.s. one other thing I am missing is the saving of an historic house, which will move next Tuesday to avoid demolition - a community effort. It dates to 1651 and was the birthplace of Lowell Mason. Don't know who Lowell Mason was? Ask your favorite school music teacher - he was the first one. Or, sing Mary Had A Little Lamb.