What Do Paris Hilton and the 4th of July Have in Common?

America will celebrate our Independence Day on the 4^th of July, but what else happened, in various years on that day, that might be worthy of knowing? Here are some other events that occurred on that notable day and some commentary on Paris Hilton who gained her freedom a few days ahead of this national holiday. Perhaps there is a topic here for discussion around the picnic table as we celebrate the independence that Paris seems to so fully enjoy.

Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of the Scarlet Letter which has been read by generations of high school students was born. Can anyone forget Hester Prynne and the big "A"? Wonder what letter would be applicable to Paris Hilton? Would a single letter be enough?

Rube Goldberg, the inventor of outrageous gadgetry was born (younger readers may have to Google the name). Could God have been talking to Rube when Paris was conceived?

Geraldo Rivera, the enduring news personality was born. What would his interview with Paris reveal? Perhaps the most revealing question might be, "Why do you do what you do?"

Former Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all died on the 4^th of July. They left a mark on history which will endure forever. Will Paris Hilton leave any enduring traces of her existence or will she simply fade into obscurity having secured her 15 minutes of fame? Adams, Jefferson and Monroe paved the future for Paris. Will she recognize their names? What would their commentary about Paris be? Certainly Jefferson, who penned the Declaration of Independence, engaged in some dalliances that were less than those expected of a man of his notoriety.

Henry Thoreau, author, naturalist and philosopher moves to Walden Pond in search of the simple life. He runs afoul of the government for not paying taxes and spends a night in jail. Perhaps Paris was born a century too late. She and Thoreau share a common bond in seeking the "simple life" and they both have shared some jail time. Perhaps if Paris had accompanied Thoreau in his quest for simple living, his writings might have taken a much different turn. Perhaps Paris is simply a modern day philosopher with a very deep message for all of us - hmmm, perhaps not.

Finally on July 4^th, 1985 the famous nightly flights of Tinkerbell began at Disneyland. This precocious fairy of Peter Pan fame has delighted children since her introduction in the early 1950's. Tinkerbell's pixie dust when sprinkled upon you can make you fly. Perhaps Paris is sprinkling "pixie dust" on all of us. While we certainly can't fly, we can follow her antics with amusement and dismay and wonder how we might have acted if we had been the beneficiary of such vast a fortune.

Have an enjoyable 4^th of July.