Even to the extent, in most states, of being allowed to celebrate what has been lost – with fireworks that have been banned.

The banning of fireworks – real ones, not the gay ones that spew forth a showy but meaningless show of sparks as opposed to the ones that explode and fly (and sometimes, both) – being a kind of leitmotif of our lack of independence.

What are we still permitted to do?

Without prior permission, that is?

And without being told it must be done this way and not that way?