The calendar says that this July 4th, the United States of America will be celebrating its 250th birthday.

But are we really 250 years old or just fifteen months old?

I guess that depends on your definition of the United States. Is America our borders, or is America more about our ideals?

If you think of our country as just the fifty states, I guess we are 250 years old. Well, technically, only thirteen states are that age. But you get the point.

“I got us tickets to the circus,” I said absentmindedly some weeks ago.

“What?” my wife asked. “Why?”

“Uhh, whattaya mean?” I replied, entering my signature holding pattern while my brain caught up. “I thought the girls might enjoy it?”

“What kind of circus?” she continued.

“The circus kind?” I mustered. I proceeded to show her Facebook reels of the ads and promos. She was less than convinced.

Pete Ricketts has always had a hard time reading the room.

I remember when he was first running for governor. I heard him give a speech at Big Mama’s Kitchen in North Omaha. The room was filled with North Omaha residents concerned about urban issues like jobs, education and crime.

But instead of talking about those issues, Senator Ricketts gave his stump speech about his ag proposals. I’m sure the farmers in rural Nebraska could appreciate a speech like that, but it fell on deaf ears. By not reading the room, Pete Ricketts wasted his time and that of those in the crowd.