Has the Round Pond Independence Day Parade Gone Poli-tick-ly Correct?

Every year I fight the traffic to go to the Independence Day Parade in the village of Round Pond, Bristol. It has always been known as the politically incorrect, quirky, outrageous, full of fun parade, and to me it epitomizes the freedoms of our country. No president, politician, or anything making the news has ever been safe from some local group taking it on and satirizing it. With all that's going on in the country and world at this time, I was expecting to see some real jabs. Imagine my disappointment when that didn't happen.

I did have to laugh at the poli-ticks group, though. It was good, but not really poking fun at anything, it was just a general statement about politics sucking you dry. Most of the parade was pretty much old cars, which while nice to see, weren't really decorated or anything. Come on people! What happened? Has Bush's restrictions on our personal freedom gotten to you? An example of what freedom of speech really is has been muzzled? And where was the Bristol Fire Department? Last year there was some controversy generated by the town as to whether or not they could participate and help out. This year, nothing in the papers, or even whispered about their participation. Usually they assist with parking, put up yellow tape for no parking, and ride in the parade itself. Not a single sign of them this year.


Well, I will admit, there were two other parade entries that were pretty good, just nowhere near as good as in previous years. I wish I had gotten a rear shot of this photo, showing the guy in the Dick Cheney mask, referring to himself (on the sign) as a "dick." The darn dog chose that moment to pull my arm away to "show her muscle" at another dog and the shot was ruined.

Also, another did have a Bush carrying a fish, in reference to the recently completed "Lobster Summit," where Bush XLI and Bush XLIII treated Vladimir Putin to some local fishing on Daddy's boat, Fidelity. I'm surprised no one added the story about the anchor coming loose from the boat, with George LXIII casting his line as the divers were trying to unsnag it.



And then there was the group pushing for world peace. I mean peas. A little take off on the "Visualize Whirled Peas" bumper stickers that are so ubiquitous on cars. Usually Volvos. They were carrying giant pea pods, and cheering. Kind of cute, but no "punch" to it.

And the one with the people dressed as lobsters sitting inside a lobster trap, calling their float the "Tourist Trap." But where are the jabs at the state of our world today? I was really really disappointed in the parade this year. Next year, I just may stay home instead.

Happy Independence Day, America. May we have 213 more years of freedom.