Wednesday, July 4, 2007

REMEMBER WHAT THE HOLIDAY MEANS




Most of we Americans are patriotic and love our country. I say most because there is an element around, who despite their statements to the contrary, do not want the U.S. to succeed in the Middle East. I still can't accept that those who so vehemently criticize America can do so and out the other side of their mouth profess their love for American troops.


An example of being anti-war and doing so in a patriotic manner is Eugene McCarthy from my era. While he was anti-war, he was not anti-American. I adamantly disagreed with him, but I respected his point of view. We can, as Americans, disagree with war but do so as Americans. Those who rejoice at each American setback are despicable creatures indeed.


My question is: Where are the war critics today who take that point of view, but do so as Americans. If you rejoice at the setbacks of your country in war YOU ARE SCUM! Some of our politicians fall into this category and are living and thriving on the backs of the military they have so little respect for. The military are the ones that have given you the gift of freedom of speech that allows you to disagree with government policy. Zell Miller's speech at the 2004 Republican Convention was a great statement of thanks for the American military and its role in securing our freedoms.


On these special days we celebrate please thank your military for all they have done for us. We are truly blessed by their patriotism. Yes, I am a proud veteran.

10 comments:

dan said...

I must disagree with you, sir. The military does not give me my freedom of speech any more than it can take it away. My freedom of speech is set by the Constitution. It exists only so long as people are willing to fight for it, be they in the military or not.

Law and Order Teacher said...

I accept your point to an extent. Your freedoms are in fact bestowed upon you by the Constitution. However, those freedoms exist only so long as they are enforced by some arm of the government. Lacking this, the Constitution is merely a piece of paper on which are written a lot of high ideals. From a pragmatic perspective the military and in a domestic sense the police, ensure that your rights exist and continue. Thanks for your post it made a good point. I should have further explained my use of the word "give."

AmPowerBlog said...

Great post. The military helps to preserve the values and institutions set forth in our founding documents, so yes, Dan has a point. On the other side, though, those who have worn the nation's colors in battle have earned a special place in the preservation and advancement of democracy. Unfortunately, in our culture, military valor is not recognized well, and military service is increasingly becoming a thankless job.

Take care!

CaliforniaTeacherGuy said...

Yes, military service and teaching both have this in common: Both are often thankless jobs!

AmPowerBlog said...

Hi Law and Order Teacher: I've tagged you in my meme thread over at my blog. Here's a great chance for some more posting! Check it out:

Burkean Reflections

Unknown said...

We're doing a history trip. Went to Valley Forge yesterday, doing either historical sites in Philadelphia or the King Tut exhibit today (depends), and Gettysburg on the way back home.

The link to Valley Forge pics is on my blog.

Mr. B-G said...

Jingoism is dangerous, and name calling is immature.

Your graphic in this post suggests that those who "run" and "protest" are somehow unpatriotic.

Our country was founded by protesters who ran from the tyranny of the English crown. By your rational, you must believe that our founding fathers - the ones who created the document that grants you the freedoms you profess to love - were unpatriotic.

I think it's a shame that the American public has been lied to and manipulated by the current administration. I think it's a shame that billions of dollars continue to be poured into the cesspool that - thanks to our occupation - Iraq has become.

It's ironic that you suggest that those who oppose the war don't support the troops. If there was no war, our troops wouldn't be over in the middle east dying.

I can't think of a better way to support the troops than by bringing them home safely.

It sounds like your idea of support is sending undertrained, underprotected citizens of our country over to a desert landscape to die in an illegitimate and unwinnable conquest that has made our country more vulnerable to terrorist attack.

That's nothing to be proud of.

Law and Order Teacher said...

Wow did you not read the post? In it I said that Eugene McCarthy was an example of protest against a war that was well-taken. I said I didn't agree with him, but I respected his opinion. The people I have a problem with are those who openly hope for the defeat of America and out of the other side of their mouths profess to love the troops. I called no one else unpatriotic. I think you may have seen in this post what you wanted to see. Thanks for your opinion.

Law and Order Teacher said...

By the way, I didn't imply anything, I think you inferred something that wasn't there. Again, thanks for the visit.

Mr. B-G said...

Fair enough. Thanks for including me in the discourse. It's definitely a subject worth talking about. Cheers.