Grand Old Loophole?

For reasons unknown to me there is still a debate raging in various parts of the country over the Pledge of Allegiance.  One particular debate that caught my eye is going on in Eugene, Oregon where the City Council has decided that instead of not saying the Pledge of Allegiance at all they're going to recite it four times a year (around July 4th, Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day). 

I was born and raised in a military community where everything that has to do with your country is treated with the utmost respect and we take every opportunity possible (even playing the National Anthem before movie showings) to express that loyalty and respect.  With that said, how anti-America do you have to be to not want to pledge your allegiance to the greatest country in the history of mankind?  I don't care if you're an Atheist and don't believe in God, you can simply skip those words.  I don't care if you morally oppose for some other crap reason.  If you are a red-blooded, American citizen with all of the rights and privileges that come along with it you should be happy, joyous to be able to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

And now the Mayor of Eugene Kitty Piercy is saying, “If there’s one thing the flag stands for it’s that people don’t have to be compelled to say the Pledge of Allegiance or anything else.”

Since when has Old Glory been a symbol of "do whatever the hell you want"?  When did our Star Spangled Banner become a free pass to disrespect everything the Founding Fathers thought it stood for?  The American Flag, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are not bits of historical literature that are meant to be bent, skewed and walked all over until they mean whatever you want them to mean.  They are the written evidence that men acknowledge and respect the concrete principles of liberty, justice, honor, commitment, and loyalty.  

I'd like to motion that the Eugene, Oregon City Council be removed from office and deported until they can pass the Citizenship Exam that all immigrants are required to take.  Along with that, if they do pass they must recite the Pledge of Allegiance just like every other naturalized immigrant who is proud to be a part of a country that allows for free speech, and freedom of religion; a country that actually has unalienable rights when so many others are rioting in the streets for those basic rights.


Take a look at the Pledge of Allegiance, recite it in your head.  Now take a minute to wonder what our country would be like if more of us actually believed in those words.  What would happen if Americans actually pledged their undying loyalty?  What would happen if the Pledge inspired everyone to be pro-American?  It makes me heart so incredibly heavy that people believe the words of the Pledge are just something school children should recite at the beginning of the day.  Everyone, and I mean every single one of us, should remind ourselves on a daily basis (right after you thank God for another beautiful morning) of how grateful we are to our country and then remember that our loyalty is the least we can offer in return for our rights, freedoms, and liberties.

The day that the American Flag stands for anything other than liberty, justice, honor and bravery will be the most sad day in history.  But as long as there are a few Americans who are willing to stand up and say, "I love my country and everything it stands for, not just the parts that suit me" then that day will never come.

There is no "compromise" for the flag or the Pledge of Allegiance; as soon as you compromise on those things you compromise your rights, and you weaken the integrity of everything this country stands on (or at least used to).

Lastly, I'd like to say that I do pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.  One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for every single American... even the ones who don't deserve it.

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In Other News, well, this really isn't other news just a continuation of my previous thoughts.  

Move to the Middle East.  Move somewhere that you aren't so damned privileged and the local citizens consider you as beneath them where you have to ask to be allowed to stay in country every 30 days and while you're there you are expected to obey some very specific rules with no leniency if you don't.  And then tell me you don't passionately wish you could be back in your own beloved country despite whatever amount of ridiculous is going on there right now.  

Unless you already have a grateful heart in your chest and thankful words in your mouth for the privilege you've been given to be American and live in America...Do it.  Or shut your mouth.

A Few of My Favorite Things.

1.  Recently, For the past three years, Sarah Palin has been tarred and feathered by the media. With her entire e-mail history floating around the internet everyone seems to have an opinion.  As I was reading up on the debacle I stumbled upon one particularly misleading article that I thought would be an objective review of what the e-mails mean in respect to the current political scene, but instead it was an unnecessary diatribe detailing everything this author thought she had done wrong with e-mail quotes to prove it.  At the end of his article he creates a list of quotes organized by their context.  One of the many quotes that he has judiciously pulled from hundreds of thousands of e-mails in order to slander Mrs. Palin is a comment by Palin on the guidance she receives from God.

On God's guidance
"I have been praying for wisdom on this ... God will have to show me what to do on the people's budget because I don't yet know the right path ... He will show me though." 

Oh, the horror!  A politician turns to God for financial advice?! Wait, you mean the same way that so many families turn to God for guidance in every facet of their lives?  You mean, she's actually using the divine resources that 2.1 billion people on the planet believe in to solve a political issue? 

I think the anonymous person, who doesn't even have the guts to put their own name on their article, should take his personal opinions and shove them somewhere that is completely un-Christian of me to mention.  This is number one on my list of favorite things today because its one of the the first times I really have true respect for Sarah Palin.   I don't believe women should be allowed to be President, and I don't believe she's doing right by her family to be working constantly.  But anyone who consults God for their decisions has my respect.  And people who quote those God-fearing people as if their beliefs can be used against them can go to Hell.  

2.  I know little to nothing about Mr. Pawlenty.  I know he is from Minnesota, I know he has a last name that is hard to pronounce and I know he is running for president.  However, this quote from an interview with Bill O'Reilly shows more about his character than any fact sheet.

""I'm not running for comedian- in-chief, or entertainer-in-chief. If people want that, they should go to the ball park or Broadway play or a Las Vegas show. ... Being strong is not the same as being loud. ... So, if you want the clown-in-chief, vote for somebody else. That's not me."

Amen.  Mr. Pawlenty is calling out all of the politicians who think their smile and charm will get them through anything, all of the politicians who think they can do a little song and dance for the American people and with the other hand rob us of our rights. (Read the link about being robbed of our rights, its about the 5 freedoms Obama's healthcare legislation completely strips from us.)  Mr. Pawlenty, you have my attention.

3.  Last, but most certainly not least, a very good friend introduced my to Laura Wood's blog recently.  The Thinking Housewife is brilliant for a number of reasons.  First, she has an amazing mind.  She is objective and succinct, all while being considerate and polite.  Secondly, she has the gall to stand up for what she believes in, no wavering, no platform changes, no "that depends on what the definition of is is."  Finally, she forces you to review your own position, forces you to actually use the brain God gave you.  

As you know, I am a fairly opinionated person and Mrs. Wood's blog has succeeded in inspiring me, making my heart race and causing me to groan with frustration.  But through the whole journey she is causing me to check my premises.  While Ayn Rand and Mrs. Wood have little to nothing in common I believe that their dedication to the highest moral standard and the most objective assessment possible put them on common ground.  At the very least they both hold a very high position in my mind for their inimitable dedication and philosophy.  I'd also like to note, if Ms. Rand and Mrs. Wood were to have a tea party with the other women who I respect as much, they would be in very good company.

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In Other News, things in Doha are going quite well.  No job yet but I have gone on a few interviews.  I've been baking a lot and going to the gym, it's too hot out to lay by the pool (the pool, by the way, heats up to about 104 F so it isn't exactly refreshing).  I've gotten some really great reading in (mostly Mrs. Wood's blog) and my floors are clean so life is good.  Doha has been practically empty when we go out at night.  Everyone is 'on holiday' for the summer since its too hot to hang around.  Despite the lack of company, it is really nice being able to get a parking spot when we head to dinner without having to walk a quarter-mile.

I'd also like to note, while we're listing favorite things, I'm in love... again.  (See here, here, and here for previous lovings.)