#proud to be an American

[madampresidentkamala]

I wanted to share some of the things I love about Kamala Harris. I previously made a post about why we need to vote for her to save our country, but this race is no longer the lesser of two evils. Even if this election wasn’t against a fascist dictator I’d still vote for her.

She is kind and tough and unafraid to break down glass ceilings. She’s charismatic and enigmatic. She’s happy and childlike but also capable of taking serious things seriously. She wants to fight for human rights for all. She stands up to corporate greed. She’s extremely intelligent. Kamala could be our first great president in many years. The kind of president we look back on in history with pride.

Kamala represents the possibility of rebuilding our nation to once again be a symbol of freedom. Kamala represents hope for America to be something all its citizens can be proud of. The Fourth of July could become more joyous than it has been in decades.

There’s a lot of concern going around about her ability or desire to fight for Palestine. As far as I can see, I have faith that she will fight for Palestinian lives AND fight against anti semitism all at once. She is intelligent enough to see what a nuanced situation it is.

For me there’s a personal connection. She is multiracial, being both Desi and Afro Caribbean. The same combination of races as me. I admire her because she embraced all her identities despite the fact that multiracial and biracial people are often told to choose one, or told that they can only identify as multiracial and not with their individual heritages.

If you are at all hesitant about Trump, I implore you to consider the value Kamala could add to our country. To find your own personal connection to her and/or Tim Walz. I promise you you’ll find it if you look. Trump and Vance do not represent the interests of any empathetic person in this country, even if you think he does I promise you that you won’t find a personal connection because both of them have given up their humanity.

[sweetsmagoo192]

So i have this stupid little headcanon of soap and roach !!!!!!!!!!

uhmmmmm roach is american and blows up fireworks on the fourth of july and i like to think he is from the south and is like hella redneck so he blows up really big shit and i like to think that soap declares himself an honorary american and roach swears him in by making soap throw tea in the harbor and drink sweet tea ( this pisses ghost and price and makes gaz lose his shit ) Soap then talks in a horrible american accent for the rest of the day.

[andallshallbewell]

[sl-newsie]

Proud To Be American (Dr. Spencer Reid x OC Coworker)

Summary: A BAU coworker is feeling down after a less-than-exciting 4th of July and Spencer schemes with the team to try and cheer them up.

“Welcome back!” 

Penelope gives a big wave and the rest of the BAU joins in from where they’re standing at their desks. Usually I join in with their back-to-work celebrations but my holiday weekend didn’t go exactly as planned. 

“Hey, guys.” My attempt to sound optimistic slides by Garcia but the profilers pick up on it right away.

“You alright, girlie?” Morgan asks. “Where’s your patriotic spirit?”

I walk past their section of the office to the break room. Sorry everyone but I’d rather just get through this Monday without wishing my plans weren’t interrupted. 

“Hi?”

At least there’s one person who can lift my spirits.

“Hello, Dr. Reid. How was your weekend? See any fireworks?”

The kind man offers a cup of lemonade. He’s only been here a few seconds and I’m already forgetting about why I’m upset.

“Actually I didn’t do much for Independence Day,” Reid replies. “I took the time to catch up on some reading and watched some TV.”

“Oh? And how many books did you get through this time? Twenty?”

“Thirty five, actually.” His gaze narrows and I can feel him analyzing me. “Please tell me what’s wrong.”

There’s no trying to lie to him. Even if I refuse to say anything he’ll pry it out eventually.

“I- Everything changed.” I take a sip of lemonade and let its sour sweetness trickle down my throat. “Last weekend I was supposed to celebrate with my family. You know, the usual barbeque. Swimming, watching fireworks. But then some family drama happened and I spent the weekend stuck going through furniture.” Another sip. “Not exactly how I wanted to spend my holiday weekend. Instead of watching fireworks I reminisced through old memories.”

“Reid!”

Spencer looks back where Hotch is calling his team to the bullpen. 

“I’ll catch you before we head out,” Reid says and walks off to the meeting.

I appreciate all that they do but each case does take its toll. Every time Spencer comes back there’s always something new. Another death. Since I only work in the office I never see any carnage. He’s thanked me before for giving him an excuse to talk about things other than work.

The new case must have little to discuss because the meeting’s already over. Prentiss and Morgan walk past my desk to grab coffee and JJ’s already going through paperwork.

“Hey!” Spencer comes over and bounces on his feet. “This case is only a few hours away. When we’re done Rossi is planning on having a small get-together at his place. Wanna join us?”

“She is joining us,” Rossi speaks for me and puts a hand on my shoulder. “No Fourth of July celebration? We’ll fix that.”

My eyes widen. “Oh, no. That’s not-”

“You need some of my Nero d’Avola. You prefer wine, correct?”

This man is so Italian it’s not even funny. “Yes, sir. But it’s really-”

“Wonderful! You’re going.”

He walks off to join Hotch. Reid and I exchange looks.

“Guess I’m going,” I shrug. “Did you put him up to this?”

Spencer shakes his head. “I just told them why you were feeling upset and he suggested a party.”

“Party? You said this was a ‘small get-together!’”

“Yes. You, me, and the rest of the team. It’s always a party when Rossi is hosting.”

The doctor gives me one last smile and grabs his satchel before heading to the door. 

“I’ll await your triumphant return, Dr. Reid! Good luck.”

Good fortune does smile upon the BAU because the case is closed in a matter of days. The second the team walks back through the office Reid heads straight to my desk.

“Ready for tonight?”

I smile and start putting away today’s documents. “That's all I’ve been thinking about!” And you too. 

A pair of hands grabs my shoulders and suddenly Penelope is steering me out.

“Time to clock out. Let’s go!”

Half an hour later and I’m literally forced to sit down in a lawn chair. Everyone's still in the Fourth of July spirit because we're all wearing star-spangled swim attire. It’s how I imagined a party with the BAU would look. Hotch and Rossi watching everyone like concerned dads. Morgan and Garcia having a drinking session. Prentiss and JJ sunbathing. And of course Spencer telling me all about a new topic. Today’s is the danger of sun rays. 

“Exposure to sun increases melanin, which causes darker skin. Thus creating a sun tan. Too much sun exposure is an easy cause for melanoma. Everyone should wear sunscreen regardless of skin color.” He picks up my tube of sunscreen and examines the contents. Then- And then pats up my arm. 

“Wh-What are you doing?” We both notice my arm tense up.

“Seeing if you rubbed it in thoroughly,” Reid explains. “Then it won’t wash off in the pool.”

Hm. I know he’s not exactly the most touch-friendly person in the world. So this must be a thoughtful gesture for his standards.

“Thanks, Spencer. I appreciate it.”

It’s no secret to the team that I consider Spencer more than a friend. But the key secret they don’t know is that a month ago we both finally broke down and went on what some would call an interview. We call it a date. It went very smoothly and we both agreed to begin a reasonable courtship without massive commitment. I guess that’s transitioned to worrying about my skin care.

“Is this what young people do?” I ask out loud, looking out at the team. “Hang out with other young people on sporadic occasions?”

“Yes.”

“Hm. I think I skipped that part.” Spencer laughs and I nudge his shoulder. “Hey! You have an excuse. You were graduating college when I was graduating high school! My lame excuse is that I like hanging out at home too much.”

“Speaking of which, when should we discuss meeting arrangements?” Spencer asks.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean do we hang out only at your place, my place, both places? We could maybe do a colored chart or specific weekly pattern-”

“Let me pause you right there.” I hold up a hand. “Spencer, your organization skills are next to perfect. But we don’t have to have everything planned by the book. Feel free to stop by whenever you like.”

His chocolate eyes have never looked so bright. “Oh, thanks! I was worried our relationship might be too sporadic, with my job taking me all over the country, and didn’t think-”

“Hey guys!” Morgan waves from across the yard. “Get over here!”

A smile spreads onto Reid’s face and he grabs my hand. “This is the best part.”

I’m pulled to the other side of the pool and there’s a lounge chair set up for me.

“What’s this for?”

“Just wait!” Penelope giggles and refills my glass.

What on Earth? “Wait. Where’s Hotch-?”

Kaboom! Weeee! Boom!

A palette of colors explodes across the darkening sky. Sparklers, firecrackers, fountains, roman candles! 

“Oh my goodness!” I gawk at the magnificent patriotic display.

“We’re part of the FBI!” Rossi shouts over the noise.

“Of course we can find ways to obtain fireworks!” Hotch adds.

I turn around and the BAU leader steps out from behind the fence.

“Happy Independence Day!” Prentiss and JJ cheer.

Reid squeezes my hand and I’m still staring at the awe-inspiring explosions in the sky.

“You did this for me?” 

“Everyone deserves to celebrate being an American,” Morgan inputs. “She’s our employer! And what better way than to legally blow stuff up?”

“Thank you all so much!” I gush. “This is amazing!” 

Spencer leans in and whispers: “What do you say to watching The Patriot with commentary at your place afterwards?”

All disappointment from last weekend is obliterated. “It’s a date!”

Hotch disappears again and another round of fireworks lights up the sky. 

Boom! Wizzz! Ka-bang!

"And I'm proud to be an American...!" Morgan begins to belt loudly.

God bless this country!

[arctic-hands]

the only thing worth being proud of as an american is the amount of options we have for brightly colored, artificially flavored, sugary/high fructose corn syrupy "juice drinks", and the amount of which you can get in a single serving

[emdavis9019]

No, not all#blacklivesmatter.

EJ Davis

[bernummm]

a comic about the american healthcare system

[mintybagels4]

I forgot how this happened, but I'm not upset that it did.

[pin-striped-soup]

[pbj913]

[lambertcottage]

[taraross-1787]

This Day in History: Space Shuttle Discovery

On this day in 2011, the Space Shuttle Discovery makes her final landing. The orbiter’s record in service has earned her the title “Champion of the Fleet.” Over the course of nearly three decades, she went back and forth between Earth and space 39 times, traveling nearly 150 million miles.

No other orbiter would complete as many missions—or fly as many miles. Space shuttle Discovery, a NASA summary notes, “is unique among the extraordinary.”

Perhaps it’s unsurprising that Discovery was chosen for “Return to Flight” missions after two notable tragedies: the Challenger explosion and the Columbia disaster. The story continues here:  https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-shuttle-discovery

[the-imaginative-hobbyist]

God Bless America.

[craig-parker-cravings]

[vicstenius]

Will you be purchasing any explosives for impending 4th of July celebrations?

YES I WILL THEYLL BE RED WHITE AND BLUE BABY OHHHH SAAAY CAN U SEEEEE (this sparkler)

[passerkirbius]

So, there's a lot of USians around who are very clearly fucking fed up with their political choices this election cycle, and planning to sit it out.

And I get it! What's the point of voting if there's no one to vote for?

The thing is, I'm Australian. In Australia, voting is compulsory. We don't get to sit out our elections, and I'll be real honest with you - we don't exactly get better choices than you lot. So how do you vote if there's no one to vote for? You find someone to vote against. And there's always someone to vote against.

Now, we have the pleasure of preferential voting in Australia - We get to rank every candidate from 1 to X, and I'll tell you, there's something so cathartic about putting the biggest bastard of the lot at the very bottom of your preferences. I understand that USians don't get that option - you get to mark one person, and that's it.

That means that you get one shot, so aim it at the biggest bastard of the lot. The candidate you most utterly detest. Put your vote in the worst possible place for them. Don't even think about who that vote's going towards, that's not the point. Remember, every vote is a vote against someone. Make sure you fuck up that someone's election day!