There was a time when patriotism meant something. When people were proud of themselves and their country. When a man would die defending it and the right of its people to live without fear. There was a time....
I do not agree with everything our government does. I think that the people have lost control of their own destiny. They have given up the fight for fundamental freedoms, such as the right to live. They want to take away the world's hope to live without tyranny; the dream of a world without poverty.
It is everyone's right to disagree with our government. That right was bought with the blood of men willing to secure this freedom for us. I have the right to complain about what is done in this country. However, I have a moral obligation to keep it within our house. I do not feel that anything derogatory should be stated beyond our borders. It is a gross disservice to those serving abroad as it belittles everything they are fighting for. I feel that as intelligent beings, the Dixie Chicks must have known there would be repercussions. In that, they took a stance and spit in the wind. If they anticipated no repercussions, well, maybe they are not as intelligent as given.
When the world hears that a citizen of any country publicly, in the face of the entire world, ridicules any part of our society, then we are open to the very thing we fear: those without social conscience destroying what we have.
There is a way to express your dissatisfaction with the PTB: vote! Get out and vote in those who will make a positive difference, those who will return our country to what the forefathers envisioned. Bear in mind that our government is set up so that no one part of the government can make major decisions without the approval of the other two entities; and that the President inherits all the problems of the administration before him. Yes, after two terms you can lay some blame on the current government, but no slates are wiped clean with an election. Those who blame President Bush for the woes of our land are either blind or woefully ignorant of how the process works.
I was taught that what goes on at home, stays at home; the neighbours have no right to our laundry, whether dirty, dingy, or just embarrassing.
©2007
Author notes
I agree with the boycott, not the slander.
Written for the contest: Contest Shut up and "sing" by UnityHope
http://allpoetry.com/contest/2378184?notheme=1
A critical comment is invited
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
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You stated "There was a time when patriotism meant something. When people were proud of themselves and their country. When a man would die defending it and the right of its people to live without fear."
I really do not know what you are talking about. Patriotism still means something. Stupidity and ignorance, coupled with militaristic violence and arrogance. The Japanese were patriotic when they bombed Pearl Harbour. The Germans were patriotic when they attacked France, Poland, Belgium and the Soviet Union. The British were patriotic when they bombed Dresden. The Americans were patriotic when they attacked Iraq and Afghanistan. They were all evil. -
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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I realize that not everyone will understand this; most are too caught up in the controversy that spawned it. I am sorry that you disagree with the idea. Was not the bombing of Dresden in retaliation for the bombing of London? Or do I have my dates mixed up. And, have you talked to any Afgans or Iraqis, or even the soldiers serving over there? I have. What is just will always be seen as evil to some, just as evil will be seen as just by others. Beauty is in the eye....
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I deleted comments made by sidewinder because they were not critiques of this piece, but rather personal attacks. I can take honest criticism; I do not need to tolerate attacks. He should bear that in mind when blocking people.
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I will vote, but not because I'm patriotic. I will vote because I don't want America to be lead by a power-hungry Socialist who is so driven by politics.
Any guesses as to which candidate I'm referring to?
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No idea. None of the candidates are socialists. However all are driven by politics and lust for power. One of them (Hucklesuckle) is terminally mad.
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Hillary is an undeclared Socialist. And she is more power-hungry than the others. I will move to England if she wins. I'm not kidding.
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What is an undeclared Socialist? And where did you get this information? I will agree with the power trip thing, but aren't they all?
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It means she's a Socialist, but she does not want to proclaim it, in case people don't want her to be. She's a real crowd-pleaser, that one.
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I have not heard this at all; even though I listen to talk radio. I will have to listen better. Thank you for the heads up, but she would not be my choice anyway. Obama would have a better chance at getting my vote. And, he just may, if someone with some sense does not move to the front in the other parties.
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You must remember that a lot of people do not know exactly what the parties are; they rely on the media to tell them what is what. If there is on thing less trustworthy that government, it is the media.
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I am quite sure who I think it is; however, that may not be the same person you think it is. I am not absolutely sure who is the right person to lead us, but I have some fair ideas who I would not like to see do it.
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There are two sides to every story.
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Yes, there are. However, airing dirty laundry in public tends to backfire on the one doing the airing. Celebrities seem to think that they can hide behind their standing and say the stupidest things: Tom Cruise, Dixie Chicks, etc. Irregardless of what they believe, it would behoove them to err on the side of caution until they know what their footing is.
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so just because they're celebrities means they can't ever say anything negative ever? does free speech just go away for them?
tom cruise is hardly comparable to the dixie chicks. pretending to be a doctor is not the same thing as saying something about disliking the president. -
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Sorry, you must have misread this. I DID state that it was their right to say whatever they want. However, there is a time and place for everything. As for Tom Cruise, he chose to spout off his mouth without think of the consequences. In my book, that puts them on the same par. It is not a matter of who said it, or even of what was said, but rather where it was said. Did you bother to read the whole piece, or only what you needed to make up your mind?
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it amazes me that so many people have so many complain about the way things are run, yet when it comes time to vote they don't show up. Only about 30% of the eligable and registered voters at my college actually bother to vote at all. I think of people are going to complain than they should try to fix the problem as well. Thsi government is supposed to be by and for the people, meaning that every voter is part of the government, even if only in a small way. If a person doesen't like the way things are run they should be out there voting for someone that will run things they way they like. It is all good and well to complaine about something if you at least attempted to change it, but to just sit back and let it happen, and than complaine afterwards, I think that is reduculous.
anyways, I like your views here.
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thank you ever so much for entering!
it's awesome to see people's views on this subject!
thanx again
♥ Unity
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