I love 4th of July. I love patriotic songs. I love red, white and blue. I love America.
Oh sure, there’s things about America that irritate me, things that should be changed, things that need to be improved, but overall, it’s not a bad place to call home.
It saddens me though that we can no longer recite the Pledge of Allegiance in our public schools. It makes no sense to me that this practice has been forbidden in most classrooms (at least here where I live in California). This is America, the country that protects us and affords us freedoms too numerous to mention. Why in God’s name can’t we show our support of this great nation by pledging our allegiance to it? If people have a problem doing that, then perhaps they should go elsewhere.
The theory behind this ridiculousness is that “we” don’t want to offend anyone. Well, how are we offending people by asking them to show respect for what we’re offering? If someone intentionally comes here to take advantage of the wonderful and bountiful blessings we have to offer (like education), shouldn’t they in turn honor us for our generosity? If you choose to come here, we’ll not turn you away, but be prepared to support our practices and customs. If you want to partake of the bounty, at least show some appreciation to the providers. Sheesh. That’s just common courtesy people. Personally, I am offended that people from other countries come here and take offense that we don’t change for them. If you want to live where everybody is like you, stay where you’re at. Diversity and tolerance is what makes America so great.
And don’t even get me started on the use of the words, “under God.” I don’t care what anybody says, everybody believes in some sort of higher being, a deity, a spiritual presence. Just don’t go there.
I know there are boat-rockers and people who only want to take and never give, but if you leave a country because you can no longer stand the way you are being treated, instead of criticizing US, you should thank us profusely for giving you the things you’ve obviously been lacking. Didn’t you come here for a better life? If it’s not better – just the way it is – then either go back where you came from or move on. Don’t expect us to change for you. People – lots of people – have died so you can enjoy what we’re offering. Deal with it, appreciate it, or get the hell out.
Anyway, that’s how I feel. I’m not being prejudiced and I’m not picking on anyone. I don’t care what religion you want to practice, what color your skin is, what sexual orientation you are. In fact I understand those are probably some of the reasons you came here in the first place. But don’t get all huffy because we expect you to show a little respect for the right to have an opinion. It’s simple really – if you come to my house naked and hungry, I will feed you and clothe you, but don’t complain about the meal or the outfit. If you don’t want what I’m offering, don’t come asking. You can go to the house next door and maybe, if you’re lucky, they won’t beat you.
I’ll climb down off of my soapbox now. Lecture over. I just felt like I had to get that off my chest. That is my right after all, right? Free speech? Freedom of the press? The right to have an opinion and to express it any way I desire? Oh no wait, not anymore, I might hurt someone’s feelings. Too. Damn. Bad. This is America – toughen up those dainty feelings and deal with it.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!! I hope you all have a happy and safe holiday and that you will take a moment to honor and respect this great country and remember those who have sacrificed so much to keep us great.
I leave you with this:
What do you think? Do you agree with Red? Did his rendition give you chills? Don’t be shy, speak up. Let your voice for liberty to heard.
Word of the Day: Speiss
Fun Fact about me: Sarcasm? Just another service I offer. (And at no charge I might add.)
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, June 2014. Photos courtesy Google Images. Video courtesy YouTube.
HERE! HERE!
I’m glad to see this. I think many have become cynical. It’s easy to criticize the US after the wars and recession, but if they moved to another country, I don’t think they’d be happy there either.
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I know right? We have so much to offer and we accept anyone. Is it too much to ask for a little R E S P E C T in return? I think not.
I know this post was risky, but it’s how I feel. Thanks for supporting me. It’s good to know I’m not alone in my opinions.
Have a great Independence Day!!
Patricia
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Great job my love, this is AMERICA and the world would look a lot different if we were not here, GOD Bless all the men and women and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can live in this, the greatest nation on earth.
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Just so’s you all know, that last post was from my sweetie pie – not me. Apparently I did not log out as myself from my laptop, which he used to post his comment.
Yes dear, your opinion is duly noted. On this topic, we are in agreement, although I have to disagree with that last part. I believe many countries are equally great. God created us all, after all. He didn’t make anyone superior.
Patricia
(See I sign my name to my posts. That’s how you can tell.)
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Well said, my friend.
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Thank you Suzanne. I hesitated before hitting the publish button on this one, but I feel so strongly about it I felt it needed to be said.
You’re married to a one of the brave men who stands ready to defend our nation if need you. You of all people understand the sacrifices made.
Thanks for visiting and for your support.
Patricia
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WELL SAID! Don’t even get me started on this. Our country has gone bonkers with the whole “PC” thing that we can’t even say the Pledge anymore.
I think many people forget all the good that America has done, and still does for the world. We are not a perfect nation, buy no one else is either. It’s still a damn good place to live.
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Phil – I hesitated to get started myself, for fear I wouldn’t be nice or know when to stop. I edited this post several times before I hit publish. I don’t think it’s too much to ask for a little respect. It doesn’t cost anything to give, yet it means so much.
Thanks for visiting and expressing your opinion. I’m glad to know I’m not standing alone.
Patricia
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You go, girl! Right on the money. I get so sick of people whining about “poor prejudiced me”…they should go to countries where there are real problems, like no liberty. No peace. No rights. Suck it up, buttercup, and appreciate what you have instead of whining about what you don’t.
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Hallelujah and Amen! Thanks for jumping on my band wagon this afternoon, Coleen. It’s time somebody puts their foot down on this nonsense. I mean, what’s going to happen when someone gets offended by blinking eyes? I mean, seriously, can we all stop blinking please? I think not.
I’m offended by parents who don’t control their obnoxious unruly children in restaurants. You know now I fix that – I suck it up buttercup or I don’t go out.
I’m offended by people who cut me off in traffic. You know how I fix that – I try to run them off the road. I’ll show them by golly, yes I sure will. (I’m kidding on this one. Mostly.)
Thanks for swinging by and holding your head high and proud for this great nation.
Patricia
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Stopping by late here, but wanted to say AMEN to everything you said!
And wow, they don’t say the pledge in Socal? I think they still do here in suburban OH – and those who choose, can stay seated and not say it, which is as it should be. Happy 4th!!
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Hi Jennette – you are never late here at The Edge of Eternity and you are always welcome – day or night, rain or shine.
I live in Northern California, but I’m pretty sure it’s a statewide “rule” now that no classroom can recite the pledge (except maybe private school). California is very whack-a-doodle in their far, far, far left liberal politics. Everything has gotten so out of hand. Grocery stores are making it illegal now to provide one-time use plastic bags for groceries. You have to bring your own bags or pay $.10 for a paper bag. It’s outrageous. Used to be you couldn’t hardly find paper bags, now we’re all about the recycled paper again. It is so frustrating.
That is why we’re looking to get out of this crazy state. It’s expensive and just bizarre with stupid rules and far-out taxes.
Thanks for stopping by and supporting the cause.
Patricia
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During every car trip as a kid, my sister and I would proudly sing, You’re a Grand Old Flag–and we always beat our hearts with our fists at the line, “Every heart beats true…”
I have no sentence for Speiss! Other than the first thing it made me think of was, spaz. 🙂 Totally unrelated, I know.
Happy 4th of July!
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Hi Coleen and welcome on this Independence Day eve.
I love patriotic songs. I sing them loud and proud every chance I get. A lot of my friends are impressed that I know all of the words to most every patriotic song. And Christmas songs; I know most verses to a lot of Christmas songs as well.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your kid-story. I can see you guys thumping your chests.
I did sort of think of spaz when I chose this word. It’s a hard one to use in a sentence.
Happy long weekend!
Patricia
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