Same Song, Different Tune

Fireworks still light the skies with vibrant colors
On starry Fourth of July nights
While dutiful Americans go about their routine
Talking about ordinary things
In ordinary ways during unordinary times
Occasionally glancing towards their television
While Mumbling to themselves
“Well at least I’m not one of those people”
Then continuing on
Turning a blind eye to the ugliness
While American news channels show scenes
That seems to depict a backwards foreign land
Of human rights abuses
And mysterious detention centers
And political violence
Here in America
While half the country applauds
And you find yourself wanting to pick up
A history book and read about the last time
Something like this happened
And how that turned out.