Mixed emotions…
I celebrate this 4th of July with mixed emotions. In fact, the only way I can stomach the 4th is by celebrating the American that was, not the America that is.
The America that exists today is a far cry from the one envisioned by our Founding Fathers. Freedom has become a disposable commodity under the Bush Administration’s unrelenting assault on the Constitution and the liberties that used to be the foundation for this nation. The Democratic-controlled Congress sits back and allows this to happen, making them willing co-conspirators in the dismantling of the freedoms we once enjoyed as a right.
America is no longer a country admired by other nations. Instead, it is an international bully despised by those who once fought with us as allies.
On this 4th of July, let us remember what we once were and pray that we may, one day, recapture that greatness. As things stand right now, there is little reason to celebrate.
Jay Leno wrote this; it’s the Jay Leno we don’t often see….
As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.
‘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 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 2/3 of the citizenry just ain’t happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ‘What are we so unhappy about?”
A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. 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?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of 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.
K. 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.
L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. 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% 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 ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn’t take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it……are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the ‘Media’ told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no mistake about it
The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may 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, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by ‘justifying’ them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to write a book about how he didn’t kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way……Insane!
Turn 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 country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.’ ‘With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, ‘Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?’
Jay Leno
God Bless America. The land I love.I am proud even today to be an american. SP
PS-dang you Doug. You got me to post again…
Scott:
I hate to burst your bubble but this essay was never written or said by Jay Leno. it’s just another piece of false propaganda circulated via email.
You can check out the origins on Snopes.Com.
The piece was, in fact, written by Craig Smith on the ultra right-wing WorldNetDaily.Com web site.
By passing fiction on as fact you have, unfortunately, proven just the type of problems we have discussed here.
Doug,
Thanks for indicating the real source. Really the only fact is I’m out of my element here. That isn’t surprising. As far as passing fiction, I think it is a fact that, based on some of the comments I’ve read here,and talking with people,and what little I read, a lot of americans are unhappy. For what reason should we be unhappy? Government? Taxes? Gas? Not me. No matter who is running the show. Am I concerned? Yes, but not unhappy. I’m very happy to be alive and living in this country even with it’s faults on both sides of a government that wasn’t designed to be a two party system. I pray consistently for men/women of character and moral values to be put in decision making power. We’ll all benefit from that. I have only one source to draw fact from. I don’t believe anything I see and only half of what I hear. You do a good job at invoking thought on issues here, although I miss the days when I saw more nature pictures here and less politikin! Love your photos. Let’s see a blog on how to get that PERFECT shot!! btw-Thanks for sponsoring the show at Oak Grove a few weeks ago. Why no pics? Was I too ugly for the muse? S~
it’s a terrible problem in the US…
The issue here is not whether or not we have 24/7 air conditioning or whether or not we’re fat and sassy with overstuffed bellies.
We have a corrupt government where lying is accepted as standard operating procedure, torture of prisoners is condoned and spying on Americans is deemed necessary. We’ve lost many of the freedoms that once formed the basis of this nation’s legacy and we’re mired in a war that started when we invaded a nation that posed no immediate threat to us.
America today is a shamless shell of its former self and one of the reasons we’re in that condition is because people are more concerned about sitting comfortably in their air conditioned homes than they are about getting off their self-serving butts and doing something to correct the problems that confront our society.
We’re in trouble and bragging about how great we’ve got it is nothing more than a diversionary tactic aimed at ignoring the cancer that is eating away at our nation’s soul.
Regardless of the source, the poll didn’t ask if Americans were happy but rather were they happy with the direction the country is going in. Two very different concepts. I am happy and I love my country, however, I’m not pleased with the direction our country has taken. I’m not happy with our president’s performance. The polling data was taken out of context.
i agree that we are in trouble in more way than one and I don’t ignore that fact. That is why I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions. I’ve taken the stance of Pray and Vote. I would be curious to know what else a person such as myself could do outside of praying, voting, and writing my representatives? I’m sure there are many americans just like me who cannot comprehend the scope of how our government should or shouldn’t operate so what more could we do? I hope with your extensive knowledge that you can help cure the cancer that eats at our nation. As you’ve seen, I’m not that great at politics but I am happy and thankful I live where I can at least give my best effort and live the american dream.
Doug, for some reason (the mind works in mysterious ways) your last sentence (We’re in trouble and bragging about how great we’ve got it is nothing more than a diversionary tactic aimed at ignoring the cancer that is eating away at our nation’s soul.) reminded me of one of my favorite e. e. cummings poems:
nobody loses all the time
i had an uncle named
Sol who was a born failure and
nearly everybidy said he should have gone
into vaudeville perhaps because my Uncle Sol could
sing McCann He Was A Diver on Xmas Eve like Hell Itself which
may or may not account for the fact that my Uncle
Sol indulged in that possibly most inexcusable
of all to use a highfalootin phrase
luxuries that is or to
wit farming and be
it needlessly
added
my Uncle Sol’s farm
failed because the chickens
ate the vegetables so
my Uncle Sol had a
chicken farm till the
skunks ate the chickens when
my Uncle Sol
had a skunk farm but
the skunks caught cold and
died and so
my Uncle Sol imitated the
skunks in a subtle manner
or by drowning himself in the watertank
but somebody who’d given my Uncle Sol a Victor
Victrola and records while he lived presented to
him upon the auspicious occasion of his decease a
scruptious not to mention splendiferous funeral with
tall boys in black gloves and flowers and everything and
i remember we all cried like the Missouri
when my Uncle Sol’s coffin lurched because
somebody pressed a button
(and down went
my Uncle
Sol
and started a worm farm)
I have to echo Mr. St. Lawrence. The Daily KOS already exists, so we don’t need another one taking up Internet resources here. I’m really amazed at the amount of misinformation and moral confusion that gets regurgitated in blogs.
Folks, please stick to issues and avoid the personal attacks. All opinions are welcome here and let’s not turn this into a debate on anyone’s character. I do take offense when someone questions my patriotism or love of country but that does not mean we declare open season on the person who chooses to make such accusations. Let’s discuss what’s right or wrong with our country and leave personalities out of the mix.
Doug,
I read your stuff all the time, and like it enough to come back nearly every day to see what’s new.
I have never read David St Lawrence’s blog, nor anything else he was written other than his response to your “Mixed emotions…” blog.
I just went back and reread his response once again. I don’t see anything in there questioning your patriotism. Obviously he disagrees with your view of “the America that is,” but I don’t think that is the same as questioning your patriotism.
I agree with you that “The America that exists today is a far cry from the one envisioned by our Founding Fathers.” I disagree with you that it is solely the fault of the Republican Party.
There is no significant difference between the Republicans and the Democrats when it comes to how they vote in Congress, and how they take and spend our money. They are all politicians, and their job is manipulating the opinions of voters. In order to do that they have to convince people that they (the Democrats and the Republicans) are different from each other, so they take opposing views on the most emotional and divisive issues they can find (for instance abortion and gun control) and whip up people’s emotions.
If you take a calm and reasoned look at what they actually DO (how they vote and how they spend our taxes) rather than what they SAY, you will find they agree most of the time.
So I disagree with some of your viewpoints, but that doesn’t mean I question your patriotism, and I still don’t see where David St. Lawrence questioned it.
David Hill
Atlanta, GA, USA
Mr. St. Lawrence, let’s delve into the subject of why “millions of people are striving to move to the U.S…” First, let me point out that you are lowering the bar by implying that because so many people are moving here that we must be a great nation. Because our nation has more opportunity than the countries these individuals are immigrating from we should be content? We should be saying “all is good, keep the status quo”? Is this what you’re suggesting? This truly is a myopic view as Doug pointed out. Our nation has, in the past, been great because we’ve evolved, because of innovation, because of compassion, understanding and taking the moral high ground. These have all been stagnant lately. And you’re implying this is good – as long as we’re better off than other nations we’re to be proud. It’s shameful. In fact I’d even venture to say it’s unpatriotic. John McCain will be pleased to have your vote this November.
Let’s keep it simple – people migrate to improve their condition. We’ve done it for hundreds of thousands of years. Whether it’s Germany, Spain or the USA matters not. What matter is survival.
As I see it David, I have two choices. I can sit back and let your Republican Party continue to destroy this country that I have loved and served for most of my 60 years or I can work to rid our government of the vermin that have infested it and fight to restore the greatness that was once America.
I love America. I’ve served it in several capacities and I want it back. What you call whining is true love of country. I’m sorry you don’t recognize this but I’m not surprised that you resort to the typical Republican tactic of questioning the patriotism of anyone who does not share the Grand Old Party’s myopic view of the world..
When it comes to loving my country, I bow to no one and I’ll fight you until only one is left standing. When you seek to impune my patriotism, sir, you’ve step over the line and that is one step you do not ever want to take..
This sounds like a cut and paste from the NY Times or AP, neither of which are known for accuracy, fact-checking or balanced viewpoints.
A more balanced view would take into account that millions of people are striving to move to the US by any means possible. What possibly could they be seeking in a land that you find little to celebrate in?
Rather than repeat the tired litany of America bashing, it might be a better use of your talents to focus on specifics that can be implemented.
Anyone can whine. It takes courage and conviction to work for the common good and persist through all of the obstacles that present themselves.
Doug,
This ad from the People’s Campaign for the Constitution will resonate with you.
It’s also approved of by a Republican group.
Don’t back down just because some Republican apologist tries to question your patriotism because you challenge the status quo. Like you, I wonder what happened to the America I once knew. Keep up the good work!
//I feel we are part of the American giveaway. I did not put this man in office but people have this apathetic attitude when I bring up impeachment questions etc. Why do we just let our vaslues slide away. Americans who would refuse to do a lot can still make a big statement !! What if we refused to buy gas all of us ???
The knee-jerk reaction of Mr. St. Lawrence is a good indicator of just how divisive this nation has become. Mr. Thompson sought only to raise legitimate questions about what has happened to our nation and Mr. St. Lawrence used that as an excuse to question the author’s patriotism. I can understand why Mr. Thompson was so upset. Mr. St. Lawrence is a die-hard conservative. That is obvious to anyone who reads his blog. He defends war profiteering, the Bush administration and the Republican agenda. The standard operating procedure for Republicans is to attack anyone’s patriotism if they do not agree 100 percent with the GOP line. Republicans like Mr. St. Lawrence advance their agenda by dividing America. Compromise is not possible with such people. Neither is unity.
Ok. You said Mr. St Lawrence attacked Mr. Thompson, and his patriotism, Correct? Now please, correct me if I am wrong but you just pulled off a much harsher attack on Mr. St. Lawerence, because in your own words “he’s a die-hard conservative.”
C’MON!
That my friend is hypocracy.
Dividing America? That’s what the republicans are doing? Well please, share what exactly are you doing? I’m deffending what I believe in. I am a conservative. I pretty big one at that.
But I’m not gonna get on here and rip someone because of what they believe. I will not tear them appart. That my friend is morally wrong.
I don’t attach my feelings about America to who is in charge of the executive branch. Bush has done many things that I disagree with and seems to feel that the rule of law doesn’t apply to his administration, but he is only the president-he is not America. He will be gone in a few more months and our country will move on. I don’t think my feelings about America will change the day Bush leaves.
1– I have the courage to use my full name when I post;
2– I know enough about the English language to know that the correct usage is “you’re” or “you are” and not “your.”
Differences to what? I know the correct uses of the words.
The only difference I see is that you are making excuses, and once again tearing others down.
There is no good done in that, Charles.
Our country will not grow closer, or united with that kind of attitude.
It’s almost like because I’m a conservative, you find something to attack me with. You always point out a fault. What good is that doing? You are not the only one, believe me. Yes, conservatives are just as guilty of it as your are. I’m not singleing you out just because of your BELIEFS. That’s your right. You own that; no one can take that from you.
I am singleing you out because of your attitude.
Oh, and please point out where I missed used the words. I fail to see.
“because in your own words”
2. The word your is the possessive form of you, referring to something that a person has, or something that belongs to the person in discussion [or, the person you are talking to].
1. Understand the proper usage of the word you’re. It is a contraction, or a combination of the words you and are. Other examples of contractions include doesn’t, they’re, and can’t.
“You’re a good friend.” (“YOU ARE a good friend.”)
Read it and wheep.
Obviously, you don’t know what you are talking about.
The headline of your first post said “Your the same way,” when the proper use should have been “You’re the same way.”
If you’re too dumb to recognize that simple mistake then why should I or anyone else listen to anything else you have to say?
You’ve had your fun now with English 101. Get back on topic.
Ok. I didn’t see that. I apologize for the things I accused you of. I still don’t understand why you get on here, and tear down people who don’t share the same beliefs as you. That is not the right approach. The things you are trying to prevent are the exact things you are doing. That is hypocracy.
I think we should give America back to the Indians. It seems like life was much better back then before the English came in. I just recently took a vacation to Cherokee NC and learned a lot just by looking at the way life was. Things have become way too easy for us these days. Back in the Indian days life was more peaceful other than the occasional Indian fights. Back then there was no cussing and the natives were/are in touch with their religion. America today has lost touch with reality and needs to step back in time.
“Sounds like an “Anybody but America” rant”….I don’t think theres any point in debating the author’s intent.
From what I’ve read these last 2 days, Mr. St Lawrence isn’t interested in discussing any issues…he seems to think that if you agree with Doug you are (you’re, yer, y’allz) simply a misguided fool who needs to shut up.
David:
I appreciate the comments but as Jim suggested, the subject line of DSL’s comments said it all. I also know him well enough to fully understand the intent of his comment.
I also do not blame the Republican Party entirely for the problems in today’s society. Neither party, in my opinion, is worthy of leadership. As I noted in a recent column on Capitol Hill Blue, my political news web site:
Its sad to think that the liberals solution to the problem is Barack.