Take me back to dear old Blogwatch,
Put me on the train to London Town….

In which spirit, I hope all American readers had a wonderful Independence Day. I watched things blow up on the Mall. Children howled, entrepreneurs hawked wares, two versions of “God Bless America” played (along with “It’s a Grand Old Flag” and, of course, “The Star-Spangled Banner”–with “the rockets’ red glare” coinciding with beautiful red fireworks), and I did not hear, this year, “Moon River”–which still strikes me as one of the absolute best July 4th songs.

Amy Welborn: I met a man just yesterday who said he was a Trad.
He said that electricity was just a passing fad.
He’d rather see a castle than a Coca-Cola ad,
And the Middle Ages really weren’t that bad, weren’t that bad!
No, the Middle Ages really weren’t that bad!

History Spork: They watch historical fiction movies so you don’t have to. Doubtless there are areas where scholars will disagree, but I think there’s a lot of hilarity to be shared across philosophical and historiographical borders as well. Films sporked thus far include “Troy,” “King Arthur,” and “Gladiator.”

Christian Science Monitor: “New political tool: text messaging.” Money makes the bourgeoisie and the rebel.

Washington Post real estate section: “Court Ruling Leaves Poor at Greatest Risk.” Because most homeowners don’t want their castle turned into a Coca-Cola ad.