I've settled into a riotous celebration of Independence here in The 'Kan. First, I skipped the usual tripe in the morning paper and instead read only Jefferson's 'Declaration'. Now I'm drinking coffee out of a Starbuck's United States of Coffee mug and in a minute, will take in a tivoed American Chopper, 'Liberty Bike I'. Ahhh, the good life.

Happy 4th of July from Bellemaison, where we think Lady Liberty has the first and last word.

THE NEW COLOSSUS

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame,

"Keep, ancient lands, you storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Emma Lazarus, 1883