PDA

View Full Version : Didn't know where to post this................



Da Witch
November 7th, 2001, 09:16 AM
THIS SAYS IT ALL!!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School 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 another".

Berkeley, 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 University 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 September 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 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; and
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 walls 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 you consider another part of the world as your 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 national 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 take advantage of one other great American
freedom, the right to leave.

Barry Loudermilk







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.




He begins his argument well, then just completely forgets what "America" stands for. First of all "Native Americans" were the true begining of America. If it wasn't for our ancestors reducing their people to slaves we wouldn't have had many of the things we have now. If you like all those nifty home remedies and over 200 of the medicines that are at your disposal then you should thank the Native Americans.





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,




He needs to realize that other cultures fought in those wars not just the original Americans. And if you really want to get technical...............not one of us (unless you are full Native American) is an original American. In some of the wars that the US fought blacks were forced to fight on the front line to obtain freedom. And how many of those who fought on the front line do you honestly believe lived to see the freedom that they were promised?





We speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese,
Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to
become 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; and
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 walls 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 you consider another part of the world as your new
home, because God is part of our culture and we are proud
to have Him.



We did not "find" this country and there was already religion here when we arrived. We chose to strip the people of this land of not only their claims but of their spirituality. I, as a non-God fearing citizen of America find it highly offencive that even after God and the goverment were supposedly separated his name still appears on every dollar bill and every coin I earn. I find it offencive that I must pledge allegience to a diety whom I do not even believe exists.


We are a nation that is highly hypocritical to the very things we claim to stand for. I do not think that the flags and the inspirational words should be force to be taken down, do however resent those who claim to be standing up for this countries freedom in one breath and then completely twists the history of it so that it will support their personal thoughts

Margie
November 7th, 2001, 09:53 AM
hmm....alot to wrap my puny mind around. I agree with the removal of "God Bless America" simply because if you are in America you don't necessarily worship "God" and it's really putting church and state together-we know that whole debate. For my own selfish reasons too I agree with that.

I guess by my own reasons for that, I should agree with the taking down of the flags and such-because not everyone in America is American-and yes some could be offended. But they are IN America and know what we've just been through. If WE were in another country and a huge terrorist act like this happened to them-they wouldn't care who they offended by hanging their countries flag and (if the US was involved) might even be saying/showing violence towards Americans. By just hanging our flag we are showing our patriotism. Really anyone can complain that something offends them. What can you do. This is the land of the free and home of the brave. Not land that doesn't offend and home as long as you don't offend anyone.

Avena
November 7th, 2001, 11:12 AM
Originally posted by Da Witch
THIS SAYS IT ALL!!!!!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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



I think the removal of "Proud to be American" signs is indeed a good gesture.
I wasn't raised in a patriotic way and my father has always taught me that saying "I'm proud to be American" is somehow... stupid. How can you be proud to be American? It's just like saying "I'm proud that the sun is shining today"
You can be proud to win a writing competition. You can be proud to get good grades in school or to be a successful businessman/woman. But there is nothing you have to accomplish to be American. Whether you are born as an American or not is just a whim of fate after all.

But that's just what I was told...

Da Witch
November 7th, 2001, 12:07 PM
Originally posted by Avena


I think the removal of "Proud to be American" signs is indeed a good gesture.
I wasn't raised in a patriotic way and my father has always taught me that saying "I'm proud to be American" is somehow... stupid. How can you be proud to be American? It's just like saying "I'm proud that the sun is shining today"
You can be proud to win a writing competition. You can be proud to get good grades in school or to be a successful businessman/woman. But there is nothing you have to accomplish to be American. Whether you are born as an American or not is just a whim of fate after all.

But that's just what I was told...

Extremely good point!

ReverendAJS
November 7th, 2001, 12:48 PM
I'm not particularly patriotic either. I own an American flag, it's always been hanging in my room ever since I became an Eagle Scout. There's a lot of things I like about America, and there are some things that I don't like, but over all, I don't think living in America would be very different from life in, say, France or England, or any other first world country. So yes, I like this country. I'm glad I was born here and not Afghanistan. I do, however, believe that people have a right to be proud to call themselves American Citizens. Citizens of America are directly responsible for the way of life that we all subscribe to in our country. I would not be offended to go to Canada and see the Maple Leaf on every building. I wouldn't worry about political correctness, and I don't know who wrote the original essay, but it is my belief that political correctness is going to fade away in the near future. Not to the point where there is no regard for personal freedoms, but enough so we can speak our minds again.
Reverend aJS

Margie
November 7th, 2001, 12:54 PM
Originally posted by Da Witch


Extremely good point!

I thought so too!

Carmelo
November 7th, 2001, 03:45 PM
I think we missed the point of what we should be proud of. The reason that people say they are proud to be an American is that these people, these terrorists, were proud enough of their country and their chosen way of life that they would shove it down our throats. As if we don't already have enough people trying to shove their political ideals down our throats as a whole. So, what do we do? We swell our chests with pride at being an American when just before September 11, these same people could give a hoot less about being an American. The proof was asking individuals on the street certain politically and non-politically driven questions and you would get this: "Um, I don't know..." "Like, I haven't really thought about it..." "I don't think I care...".

So, how can these absent-minded, absconding, hide-in-the-shadows, self-absorbed, egocentric morons claim to be something they never once gave thought to before. I'm sorry but that's just an excuse.

I'm proud to be a Pagan. I'm proud to be Puerto Rican. I'm proud the Orishas have deemed me worthy to live. But, I'm not proud to be something I never gave thought to before...

My pride lays where I left it... on a battlefield the Corps bought me to.

Dextra
November 7th, 2001, 04:02 PM
Originally posted by Carmelo


I'm proud to be a Pagan. I'm proud to be Puerto Rican. I'm proud the Orishas have deemed me worthy to live. But, I'm not proud to be something I never gave thought to before...

My pride lays where I left it... on a battlefield the Corps bought me to.

I agree and yet I disagree. I am happy to be living in the United States, considering I could have been unfortunate enough to have been born in Afghanistan.

If it were not for the United States being here for my great-grandmother (a Catholic) and my great-grandfather (a Jew) to emigrate to to get married, I wouldn't be here. See, they left Germany in 1928 before things got bad so that they could be together.

But if you were to ask me, "Are you proud to be an American?"
Well then I'd have to quote Bill Hicks:
"Well, my parents f@#%ed here, that's about it."