The Greatest Show on Earth

The Greatest Country on Earth

It’s Friday, July 3. This is The Front Page, your daily window into the world of The Free Press—and our take on the world at large. Today we’re devoting our newsletter to America’s 250th birthday, including Caitlin Flanagan on the Pledge of Allegiance, Rod Dreher on coming home after years abroad, Nikki Haley on the life her immigrant parents built in America—and much more.Two hundred fifty years ago, 56 men gathered in Philadelphia and signed a…

The Greatest Show on Earth

by Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, Esq. Every Fourth of July since 1994, I engage in the same ritual. I sit on the porch, light a cigar, and watch my neighbors commit misdemeanors with commercial-grade fireworks. I used to pour myself a scotch to go with it, but my doctors told me I had to cut back, so now I just enjoy a couple pieces of “special chocolate” from Illinois. Just kidding — it’s Michigan. Illinois’ taxes are ridiculous. And every year, somewhe…