Offend anyone...................

[genealogynut]

The following was written by a Barry Loudermilk, probably about six years ago, but I believe it's very applicable today.  It's a little long, but worth the time to read.  How quick we forget!!

This guy gets a standing ovation from me!!  AMEN!!

>Broken Arrow, Oklahoma schol officials remove "God Bless America" signs from schools in fear that someone might be offended.

>Channel 12 News in Long Island, New York, orders flags removed from the newsroom and red, white and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of reporters.  Why?  Management did not want to appear biased and felt that our nations flag might give the appearance that "they lean one way or the other."

>Berkleley, California bans U.S. Flags from being displayed on city fire trucks because they didn't want to offend anyone in the community.

>In an "act of tolerance" the head of the public library at Florida Gulf Coast Univedrsity ordered all "Proud to be an American" signs removed so as to not offend international students.

>I, for one, am quite disturbed by these actions of so-called American citizens, and I am tired of this nation worrying about whether or not we are offending some individual or their culture.  Since the terrorist attacks on Spetember 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans.  However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled in New York and Washington D. C. when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

>I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America, in fact, our country's population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants, however, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some native Americans, need to understand.

>First of all, it is not our responsibility to continually try not to offend you in any way.  This idea of America being a multi-cultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity.  As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle.  This culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.  Our forefathers fought, bled, and died at places such as Bunker Hill, Antietam, San Juan, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam,........WE SPEAK ENGLISH, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language.  Therefore, if you wish to become a part of our society..........learn our language!  "In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some off-the-wall Christian, RIght Wing, political slogan.  It is our national motto.  It is engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is printed on our currency.  We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, this is clearly documented throughout our history.  If it is appropriate for our motto to be inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is certainly appropriate to display it on the wall of our schools.

>God is in our pledge, our National Anthem, nearly every patriotic song, and in our founding documents.  We honor His birth, death, and resurrection as holidays, and we turn to Him in prayer in times of crisis.  If God offends you, then I suggest that you consider another part of the world as you new home, because God is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him.

>We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms.  We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Flag Day.  We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag.  As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my natinal motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose.   If the Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.

>The American culture is our way of life, our heritage, and we are proud of it.  We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from.  We are Americans, like it or not, this is our country, our land, and our lifestyle.

>Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion about our government, culture, or society, and we will allow you every opportunity to do so.  But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom,......the right to leave.

Americans!!  It is time to take a stand!!

[Teresa]

I agree 100%...........................

[emptynest]

I just yesterday got a personal picture inset with a poem sent to me by one of my nephews who is serving as a marine and preparing for his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. The back of the picture was personally signed with "I'll do my best to make you proud and protect you! Keep your flag flying high!  It may be appropriate for this topic.

The poem went like this:

For all the free people that still protest, you're welcom,
We protect you and you are protected by the flag and the best.
Your voice is strong and loud, but who will fight for you?
No one standing in your crowd.

We are your fathers, brothers, and sons,
wearing the boots, displaying the flag, and carrying the guns.
We are the ones that leave all we own,
to make sure your future is carved in stone.

We are the ones who fight and die.
We might not be able to save the world, but at least we try.
We walked the paths to where we are at
and we want no choice other than that.

So when you rally, removing the flag, and your groups complain,
take a look in the far back part of your brain.
In order for that flag some love continue to fly,
wars must be fought and young men must die.

We came here to giht for the ones we hold dear,
if that's not respected, we would rather stay here.
So please stop yelling, quit removing that flag, and put down your signs,
and pray for those behind enemy lines.

When the conflict is over and all is well,
be thankful for the flag, that we chose to go through hell.

[Teresa]

Wow... that is good.. I like it ...

Danny sent me one a while back.. I will see if I can relocate it...

((mumbling to myself and I am digging through all my papers with my head in the box and my tail in the air.))

AH-HA!! I found it!!!

[Teresa]

This was originally sent to me by a friend of 63 years, who was also in the first class ever at the Air Force Academy.  This commentary was by one of his classmates.  It is an interesting read.
 

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff.   Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way.

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.
Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.
Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents.
Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen.

No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know.
What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating?
Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11?
The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession?
Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks?
The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom.
There is currently no draft in this country.
They didn't have to go.
They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?
Say what you want but I blame it on the media.

If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations.

They offer what sells. Just ask why they are going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did . insane!

Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage.

Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:

''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''

I suggest we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.

Time to Wake Up America !

[genealogynut]

That was very well written, and I agree with that.  It is most unfortunate that GREED exists on every corner of our society. There is also much negative news coverage on TV, that seems to have influence with the younger generations (school violence, etc.)  We no longer watch TV.

It would be nice to see that article on every front page of each newspaper in this country!

[Janet Harrington]

What I say to emptynest and Ms. T's words...Amen.  Amen.  Amen.  And I am porud to be an American.