Finally, the event has arrived: the NFL Kickoff event and the Britney Spears concert. Construction workers, tractors and 20-foot tall speakers have occupied most of the green space of the promenade for days accompanied by a nauseating announcer saying over and over, "SERVE YOUR COUNTRY, VOLUNTEER ON AMERICA'S PUBLIC LANDS," "VANILLA PEPSI, THE NOT SO VANILLA DRINK" and "IT'S NOT JUST A SPORT, IT'S HISTORY IN THE MAKING." The Army calls it, "Operation Tribute to Freedom."

The combination of the military, pro-football and a soft drink is America at its worst. It's bad enough that the kickoff event follows up the anniversary of the Civil Rights March with ads for the Not-so Vanilla Pepsi. On top of that is the headache of timing this event at 6pm during rush-hour...though maybe I should be comforted by the prospect of Britney singing, "Oops, I Did It Again," to all the military folk.