As an Irish Republican, I'll never miss an opportunity to celebrate the the independence of a colony from the British Empire. And, as the son of someone who fought fascism in World War II, and suffered greatly for it, I believe that is worth celebrating too.

Those thing are always worth celebrating, and I celebrate them accordingly. The true spirit of July 4 is a spirit of liberation, and I celebrate it as a festival of liberation.

Don't get me wrong. I can see why many are upset with our more recent history (and also some of the older stuff, like slavery.) I too am upset with our more recent history (and some of the older stuff too.)

You choose to criticize the bad history, and that's valid.

I choose to celebrate the true spirit of July 4, and that's valid too.

The world is wide, and there is room for diversity of tactics among allies.