Post by David M. Kutzmann

It seems ironic that America’s upcoming 250th birthday should coincide with a presidency forcing the country to consider a different idea of itself — not as a liberal democracy but as a nation of curtailed freedoms and of government by a few and for a few. But for me personally, 250 reminds me of my own family members’ struggles and search for opportunities in a new land. I’ve succeeded because of them. They were working-class people, shopkeepers and immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and Austria in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some succeeded. Some failed. But they knew what they had was better than what they’d left. This Fourth reminds me, too, of a friend of Irish descent who stood for the things I believe in. Those ideals weren't abstract to him. He lived them every day as a journalist and teacher. He was a Navy veteran, a professor and a life-long journalist, the son of an Associated Press journalist. He was my personal and professional rabbi for nearly 50 years, until he passed away at 88. He believed in freedom of the press, in respecting our readers, and of teaching the next generation to honor the profession we chose. By recognizing two-hundred-and-fifty years I honor him as well. Lá breithe shona duit to us all. Miss you Jaime.