Rick Badie / My Opinion

By Bruce Wilcox

March 22, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

Lapel pins, bumper stickers, painting the flag on a street, sticking a flag on the house and leaving it there to rot I consider examples of plastic patriotism.

The plastic patriot is the most dangerous type we have, they tell you what you must do or how you must behave to be patriotic.

Stand in the background at a parade, when our flag goes by they’re the ones that remove their hats or those who place a hand over their hearts, those are the patriotic ones.

Patriots do not have to display their feeling with a plastic lapel pin or a bumper sticker, it’s in their hearts.

By Bruce Wilcox

March 22, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

Should read, The ones that remove their hats…

By Bilbo

March 22, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Patriotism, is my quest for overcome 400+ years of slavery and oppression. To final be seen in the country as equal!! To somehow get comspensated for my forefathers building of the whole east coast of America!!!!

By jc

March 22, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

Hey Bilbo, why should YOU be compensated for anything?

By Michael H. Smith

March 22, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

My parents were salt of the earth people, hard-working South Georgians. They never impressed upon us patriotism as a concept to embrace.

Yet they passed on to us traits that personify the very essence of the word. They showed and taught us to work hard; to shun victim hood; to be smarter, if not the smartest; to prosper. Our patriotism is and has been reflected in our quest to be responsible, productive U.S. citizens.

And, if I might add: They taught us to respect the hard work of other U.S. Citizens, to never look down our noses at those who earned less money because they labored in menial tasks. Any word of condescension of that hard work was frowned upon with great disdain throughout the South. Today, this salt of the earth doing the dirty low-paying hard work, that their so-called fellow patriotic Americans say they refuse to do in seeking to replace their work efforts with foreign illegal labor are mocked, ridiculed and told to get an education.

http://www.americanworker.org

You never have to wear the things you live, do you Mr. Badie? Like kindred spirits cannot deny all that separates them are merely miles of geography?

Until, yes until… a Michelle Obama says, “For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country”?

I doubt you will answer this question Mr. Badie, at least not publically, though I got more than a slight hunch my answer and your answer would be close to verbatim: What did Michelle Obama mean? By that I’m alluding to the cryptic part or the misunderstood part that the “typical white person” who bashed her statement as something less than American: What was the hidden intended content locked away therein?

Did you ever experience, what I shall now deem, “The Obama Moment” Mr. Badie; when you felt like, for the first time in your life, you were accepted as an American, truly allowed to be a proud American in this country (without the need of disclaimers or adjectives attached)?

I’m sure Limbaugh, Boortz and Hannity never mention “The Obama Moment” relevant to truth in reality?

Fortunately, I’ve never had “The Obama Moment” and I’m smart enough to be glad that I never shall, for I found “The Creek Moment” a burden too heavy to bear. It is good to see that Michelle Obama has finally reached the point in her life to where she can at last drop “the baggage” this nation thrust upon her ancestry and that her patriotism did not buckle beneath the burden.

Oh, by the way Mr. Badie, you’re a great American.

By GaLiberal

March 22, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

Patriotism is just another term for nationalism. Hitler used “patriotism” to rally the German people behind the Nazi Party. The result was 8 million people exterminated and WWII. Stalin used “patriotism” to suppress any criticism of his methods. The result was millions worked to death in the gulags. Bush has used “patriotism” for both - to rally the American people behind him and the unnecessary and reckless Iraq war and to silence any the critics. The result has been 100,000+ Iraqis killed, 4,0000 American soldiers killed, $4/gallon gas, and the US economic in the toilet. Bush is no better than Hitler and Stalin. Too bad the American people (NOT me) elected him President twice. Think they’ll learn their lesson?

All the chest-beating, USA-chanting, flag-waving so-called “patriotism” is just too much. People think that makes them a patriot. Whenever I see people that way, I am reminded by the masses of Germans saluting Hitler or the May Day parades in the Soviet Union. Then they’ll criticize people of any other country that dares to do the same as just mindless drones doing what they are told. Typical Rethuglicon hypocrisy.

When you vote Rethuglicon, you vote against your own best interests. And “patriotism” is living proof.

By Atico

March 22, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this

Patriotism is NOT bashing and trashing your country. Patriotism is overcoming obstables and ALWAYS having the knowledge that the USA is the best place of earth to live. How easy it is to become disenchanted when things do not go your way, but the feeling of pushing forward, and not beoming a victim of your past is exhilarating above all the whinning and gnashing of teeth about your SO CALLED social situation in the USA.

Look within and you will find your answer. Blame your neighbor and you huddle in your space and become the victim that the mean, disspirited persons quickly lay at your feet.

Ignorance seems to be a disease that spreads like butter on a hot piece of toast. Don’t fall into a sick mental state by not researching an issue for its truth or falsehood. If you know how to read, do just that and find out how good you really have it living in this country vs many others in the world.

Some peole lie when the truth would do.

The three most untrustwothy professions are known the world as the three P’s: Preachers, Politicians, and Prostitues. Go from there……………

By Michael H. Smith

March 22, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

And patriotism is NOT lying for your country’s wrong deeds, past or present, to escape the onus truth places upon each us, by simply declaring the USA the best place in the world to live. In fact, that is surrender for lack of courage seeking the vain solace of retreat.

My country, right or wrong, absolutely; my country left alone, absolutely never, while a breath remains in my being to make it better than what those people willing to SO-CALL it the best whine a putrid complacency to social failures that cry out for success.

By Bilbo

March 22, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this

JC, You say,”Hey Bilbo, why should YOU be compensated for anything”. The same way you and your have been advantaged all your life!!! You’d say, you wasn’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth, but if you looked realistically at history which is (your story) You’d see that you and your propersed off the blood, sweat & tear of mine. I’ve been told that hundreds of Brits. Don’t tell me they know better than you,”Benifactor”. Especially above the so-called Mason-Dixion Line. Please!!!!!!

By Bruce Wilcox

March 22, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

Mr. Smith I consider the americanworker.org nothing more more than a Swift Bost operation. Illegals take all the real flag waving Black ( as portrayed in the commercials) United States citizens jobs?

Mr. Smith check the facts instead of bias web-sites that serve your one and only purpose.

By Michael H. Smith

March 22, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this

Considering your bias Mr. Wilcox your comment is nothing more than non-sense in defense of illegal aliens. Just one more attempt by you to defend something that is corrupt to the core, illegal as original sin and “hostile” to American workers and their families as any attack by a foreign enemy.

I don’t need to check anything that you have not seen or experienced first-hand, Mr. Wilcox, to know just how full of bull you are and how phony you are in calling this Website a swift boat operation by flag wavers.

Now tell me Mr. Wilcox how many years have you worked in any field of endeavor where illegal aliens have replaced American workers, hired in violation of the law by employers to get around labor laws, avoid paying taxes, unemployment insurance and liability/worker compensation insurance?

Mr. Wilcox try living a few facts before speaking of them ignorantly to serve your one and only purpose.

And by the way Mr. Wilcox, don’t speak ill of the off shore outsourcing of American jobs and defend illegal immigration or demand amnesty for them. The two serve one in the same purpose to screw hard working Americans.

By LT5000

March 22, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

What is patriotism? It’s pride in your country. Plain and simple.

Some people truly lose sight of what a great country America is.

Especially Bruce and GALiberal. They use whatever excuse they can to tear it down.

No other country in the world can compare to the freedoms and opportunities America offers.

That’s why we have an immigration problem.

If Bruce and GaLiberal hate America so much, I will gladly buy them one-way tickets out of here. All they have to do is renounce their US citizenship.

LT5000

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this

Ah, Mr. Smith, let’s be honest here, your whole purpose in life is to change the debate to how illegals have taken every available job.

If you and your kindred would face reality and realize illegals are not taking the high paying maunfactering jobs. Those maunfactering jobs have been already they been sold overseas, you would realize there was more than enough jobs going around before the bush crash.

The discussion was about patriotism, not your hatered of illegals, as to what you believe, that would be un-American.

HAPPY EASTER!

By Road Scholar

March 23, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

First, I want to complement the bloggers who have discussed the issue at hand. The Blog is free of the usual drivel of he said/she said, meaningless insults and contains heart felt feelings and intelligence. Being a white male, I will never be able to experience the level of bias and violence that other minorities have and, unfortunately, will experience. I understand Michele Obama’s statement though from a different perspective. I was a teenager during the Vietnam war and, while I loved my country, I was disgusted with the bloodshed and propaganda that that war caused. I supported the troops, but could not support the reasoning that caused so many deaths. If they were the “devil” why do we have relations with them now? If we didn’t get them then, then they would come here….sounds familiar? I was disenfranchised then, and now, until our troops come home. We went to war for trumped up reasons in both cases. But this does not mean I do not love my country; I want to fight for what is the right thing to do, and not blindly follow as some have done recently. We agree to disagree; we are all Americans; but we must rise up, listen to the arguements without insults, and gleen the right approach for all, not just one party, race, or class. May you find peace this Easter morning, and God bless the U.S..

By Michael H. Smith

March 23, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

You, be honest, Mr. Wilcox?

My “entire” purpose Mr. Wilcox is to defend America and Americans whenever and wherever a threat is posed that will do this nation or any of its’ citizens harm. That Mr. Wilcox is patriotism. Defending the laws and the principles, which assures every citizen that justice is served and that crime or wrong doing is not rewarded, that is patriotism. Loyalty to the people of this country, U.S. Citizens, that is patriotism. Commitment to building upon the unfinished work that shall never end in the new order of the ages, the great experiment that is America, is patriotism. Love of country, that you Mr. Wilcox and others like you, would call hatred of others, xenophobia, nativism, nationalism, that is patriotism.

Your obvious failure to answer my question is evidence enough you have no grasp of reality. Your eager willingness to concede any American job low paying or high paying to foreign nationals, especially through the means of illegality and wrong doing, shows your hatred of the American people. The discussion remains about patriotism, which your Anti-Americanism, will never absorb.

If you pass the plate LT 5000, I’ll be glad to contribute towards the purchasing of those one-way tickets.

By Mark

March 23, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Patriotism is keeping a black Muslim out of the whitehouse.

By JB

March 23, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Thank you GaLiberal for, once again, giving us all a very good reason to make sure our children stay in school. Your ignorance amazes me.

By JohnnyComeLately

March 23, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

I agree JB, but as ignorant as GaLiberal may be, he has every right to be ignorant. Remember, the mentally handicapped are people, too.

By Steve

March 23, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

GaLiberal, so what you’re saying is if you take pride in our country, show pride in our county, or celebrate our country, you’re right up there with Hitler and Stalin?

If you haven’t heard, your socialistic beliefs (I’ve read some of your past crap postings) was the basis of the Nazism of Hitler and Communism of Stalin.

It’s funny how you ridicule others so easily, yet remain so ignorant yourself.

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Mr. Smith you say you defend America and American’s, then there is no real discussion to be had, but I commend you for being a good neighbor I’m sure our Canadian and Mexican brothers feel the same.

As far as being replaced by an illegal, sorry I was in a high skills career.

The outsourcing of United States jobs started well before the invasion of illegals under this administration.

A special request from the kiddies Mr. Smith, please let Peter Cottontail pass, he forgot his papers.

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Oh and Mr. Smith as far as your Swift Boaters, not one labor union, nor the NAACP, strange wouldn’t you say?

American Engineering Association BrainSavers.org NumbersUSA Education & Research Foundation The Programmer’s Guild American Council for Immigration Reform Federation for American Immigration Reform POP.STOP Virginians for Immigration Control National Association for the Employment of Americans (NAEA) American Jobs Coalition Californians for Population Stabilization AmericanLaborFirst.com American Immigration Control Foundation CitizensLobby.com Hire American Citizens Professional Society ZaZona.com No More H-1B The Rescue American Jobs Foundation Information Technology Professional Association of America (ITPAA) U.S. 1st

By HeySoose

March 23, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

I’m so glad the likes of Mr. Wilcox and GaLiberal enlighten us ignorant folk with their condescending, arrogant insights into life.

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

Your more than welcome.

By Borat Obama

March 23, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this

Democrats agenda: - We demand that the State shall above all undertake to ensure that every citizen shall have the possibility of living decently and earning a livelihood. - That all unearned income, and all income that does not arise from work, be abolished. - all personal profit arising from the war must be regarded as treason to the people. We therefore demand the total confiscation of all war profits - We demand the nationalization of all trusts. - We demand profit-sharing in large industries. - We demand a generous increase in old-age pensions - We demand the creation and maintenance of a sound middle-class, the immediate communalization of large stores - Hold growing hatred of Jews - You do not have the right of free speech. If it offends or differs from how I believe, you cannot say it and must be punished. - Refusal to tolerate opposing opinion

Sound familier? THAT’S how you gain power. History repeating itself, brought to you courtesy of the Democratic via the Nazi Party, circa 1930’s.

Dimocrats. Please, come into the light. Because, when you vote Dimocrat, you show all the ignorant fool you are.

By Michael H. Smith

March 23, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

Good!

The labor unions have sold out the American worker years ago. Don’t even try that union business with me Mr. Wilcox. I’ve been there, do that. And, the only thing strange about the NAACP siding with illegal aliens and NOT with the American black workers is, that they are hurting the very people they pretend to defend who are the second most adversely financially affected by unauthorized workers residing and working illegally in this country.

Not only that, every fellow black U.S. citizen of this country I’ve talk to on this subject of illegal immigration (with the exception of Mr. Badie) not only agrees with me, they are often more adamantly opposed to illegal aliens and granting any amnesty to them, so are many of the legal aliens (including ones of Spanish ancestry) I’ve talked, who are the first most financially adversely affected by unauthorized workers residing and working illegally in this country.

Keep waving that Anti-American saran wrap, Mr. Wilcox.

http://www.americanworker.org

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

Maybe you missed my very first comment on patriotism Mr. Smith, what a perfect example you made of a plastic patriot, for that I thank you.

Labor unions sold out United States workers? The Union did just fine by me. The NAACP must have believe that your group of so called unbias experts are full of moosedung and I agree with them.

McCarthyism is alive and well in Gwinnett

By Michael H. Smith

March 23, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

I didn’t miss a thing Mr. Wilcox. And didn’t you mean the taxpayers of New York did just fine by you? The high-skills necessary to feed at the public trough certainly did nothing to improve your gratitude towards your former employers (guess it’s a union thing, aye). If anyone is full of moose dung (imported of course, probably smuggled in) it is you and your Anti-American ilk. The NAACP like so many groups usually take a bad turn eventually, and they have on illegal immigration without a doubt.

McCarthyism?

Careful there GALiberal your Wilcox is showing. It is legal to be a communists (even an Anti-American scumbag) in America and Gwinnett County without violating any laws. Ah but if you are an illegal alien… well, you’re just illegally in this country and that is a crime, prosecutable under the law (no witch-hunts needed for deportation).

Keep waving that Anti-American saran wrap, Mr. Wilcox.

By Borat Obama

March 23, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Patriotism is knowing douchebags like Mr. Wilcox has the right to say what he wants.

By LT5000

March 23, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

Here are some of Brucie “True Patriots”.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Police have arrested a mother on charges she harbored a man who impregnated her 14-year-old daughter.

Authorities say 42-year-old woman allowed Lucio Gomez-Gonzalez to stay at her home for two weeks and permitted him to have sex with her daughter. Gomez-Gonzalez’s age is unknown.

Police charged Gomez-Gonzalez with statutory rape on Thursday. The mother was charged the previous day with being a party to statutory rape.

According to arrest warrants, both suspects are Mexicans in the country illegally.

By Atico

March 23, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this

Mr. Smith, how old are you? You write like a 15 year old with a yet connected brain. You need to read both sides of the story. Sticking to a lopsided leftist agenda makes your words very hard to stomach. I too will donate to a ticket for your travels.

By Michael H. Smith

March 23, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this

Please go back and read some of what you’ve written you silly jerk. Children hide behind anonymous names, Dave is it? No matter. Save your money chump I’m going to remain but you can leave at anytime. I’ve probably read as many sides of the stories as you have, any particular one you have in mind? Care to point out this so-called leftist agenda of mine while you’re at it?

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this

Let me get this straight Mr. Smith, you feel that firefighters just feed at the public trough, you must feel it’s an easy career and that firefighters are shafting the taxpayers? I mean nothing could be as exciting as being a pencil pusher at a construction site would it Mr. Smith?

The plastic patriots like Mr. Smith and his kindred feel that the First Amendment only applies to them. That anyone not in lockstep with the lemmings brigade of plastic patriots is anti-United States. The new plastic patriots hide behind computer screens like the Southerners of old hid behind their sheets.

By Michael H. Smith

March 24, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this

You hide behind your bigotry no different than those that hide behind their sheets.

Oh pooh pooh rough and ready. It may be hard for you to believe this Mr. Wilcox pencil pusher didn’t occurring very often in my trade, maybe to mark a line on something.

Oh and as you said though guy, I’m not a hard fellow to find.

Keep waving that Anti-American saran wrap, Mr. Wilcox.

By Michael H. Smith

March 24, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this

Blow by blow Atico

Patriotism is NOT bashing and trashing your country.

Reply: Criticizing what is wrong with your country is not bashing and trashing it. Acknowledging that there are things that need changing is the first step in correcting what is wrong.

Patriotism is overcoming obstables and ALWAYS having the knowledge that the USA is the best place of earth to live.

Reply: Oh really, brute force often overcomes ‘obstacles’ that is NOT patriotism.

ALWAYS having the knowledge that the USA is the best place of earth to live.

Reply: Very self-patronizing to the point of over use in breeding apathy. Get a dollar bill turn that dang thing over and look to the seal on the left, notice that pyramid. Is it complete? No, it surely is not and the founders of this nation were conveying a message to all of us in that symbol, that America is an unfinished work in progress and we are still just experimenting and building upon the great undertaking they started. Things often go wrong when you experiment, though we have the best experiment going on the world may have ever seen it remains exactly that, an experiment. I make no apologies for America or for being an American because we are just experimenting with the most free radical formula in governance known to man as a sovereign nation.

How easy it is to become disenchanted when things do not go your way, but the feeling of pushing forward, and not beoming a victim of your past is exhilarating above all the whinning and gnashing of teeth about your SO CALLED social situation in the USA.

Reply: Things are not going the Americans way and Americans are fighting back as you SO-CALLED it the ‘whining’ and gnashing of teeth, so save this drab wimpy spiel. Only victims refuse to fight back in accepting social situations thrust upon them and we’re not walking backwards in defeat to rely on past achievements by regurgitating the same old same old: Well, the USA is the best place to live.

Look within and you will find your answer. Blame your neighbor and you huddle in your space and become the victim that the mean, disspirited persons quickly lay at your feet.

Reply: Give it a rest with these tired old clichés like this look in the mirror bunk. Yeah right, blame it on blame pay no mind when the laws of your country are being broken and you and your country are being ripped –off, are you will turn into a mean ‘dispirited’ person. If you want to pass the Kool-Aid and sing Kumbaya have at it Atico Dave, not me. If I were younger man I’d be on the border patrolling. You know using the high skills of feed at the public trough and keeping America a lot safer to boot, like old rough and ready did it. Only I would thank the taxpayers of my country not some union.

Ignorance seems to be a disease that spreads like butter on a hot piece of toast. Don’t fall into a sick mental state by not researching an issue for its truth or falsehood. If you know how to read, do just that and find out how good you really have it living in this country vs many others in the world.

Reply: Yeah it sure does since you’ve spread yours. Again give it a rest, get of your little high phony, people read and research far more than you are capable of imagining.

Some peole lie when the truth would do.

Reply: You bet they do, about race, about the wrongs this country refuses to acknowledge and oh so many other things, to the point ‘people’ cannot confront the truth.

The three most untrustwothy professions are known the world as the three P’s: Preachers, Politicians, and Prostitues. Go from there……………

Reply: hmmm… I’ll let this one off on a mercy pass. It would be too cheap a shot to take.

By positronictom

March 24, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

From Dictionary.com, the definition of patriotism is:

Love of and devotion to one’s country.

If that is the definition, then I do think it is proper to call into question Barack Obama’s patriotism. His church clearly does not show love of America, nor does it show devotion to America.

By Corey

March 24, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

True patriots are the ones who dodged bullets in Europe and Asia and were not good enough to fight with “true” Americans but good enough to fight with the French and returned home and were told to go to the back of the bus, the back door, up to the balcony, not here but there, you can’t vote, ad nauseam. You flag on the lapel types have no idea what patriotism is. Now I’ll sit back and listen to the hurt dog holler.

By ron

March 24, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Mr. Badie,Not wearing a lapel pin symbolizing your patriotism can sometimes be traced back to the church you belong to.Doesn’t this all fit together nicely now.

By Gandalf, the Grey

March 24, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Bilbo, no one owes you a thing, get on with your life and quit being a victim.

By Katie

March 24, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Well, LT said it for me. The only thing I should add is that if you are born here you’d better be patriotic. It’s something every American should be. If you’re not, then maybe you should think about leaving. Although America has problems, we’re still the best country in the world. Love this country or leave it. Love what this country offers its citizens and love that you can vote to make it change.

By Gandalf, the Grey

March 24, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

If you are a member of Congress, and you do not render the proper honor to the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance, you are anti-american. No grey area in this matter. A member of the Congress should show proper respect for the symbols of our country. Obama goes to a church that spews racial division, what do you expect? He is a disgrace to this country.

By Mr. Duke

March 24, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

I really question the whereabouts of Mr. Smith and LT5000 for the past 7 years; must have been on one of those trips out-of-country. However, all it would have taken was to pick-up a newspaper or watch the news. And if you didn’t trust those sources, then log onto a computer and do research. But the crap coming from you two are total bigotry. From both of your inaccurate comments, it’s quite easy for me (and I’m sure others reading your crap) to figure out your age range, ethnic group, political party, and your prejudices, etc.. Not that it’s important, however, most times, it’s smart to know up front what kind of people you are dealing with. What I won’t do in my comments is deduce myself down to your level. I served my country in the US Army for 25 years, 8 months, and 3 days. I will tell you that, that’s more than half my life. Upon completion of my service, I cetainly expected that this country would be in better conditions than we are. You two talk of patriotism like you have served this country. Have you? Retorical question. Please find another blog to fester your poison. This blog is about “Patriotism to this Country”, not your political, leftwing, radical, offbeat, hypocritical, bull#@$%. If you two knuckleheads can’t see, or just won’t admit that our country has negatively suffered at the hands of our current presidental administration, then stay away from those type conversations; your ignorance shows.

As for “positronictom” comment regarding Mr. Obama and his church: If you have never live a day in your life as a black person, then stay away from this subject. Your ignorance shows also.

As for GaLiberal, Road Scholar, and Bruce Wilcox, you folks are in-touch with reality and I commend you for brave, straightforward comments. However, you will probably live longer if you not interact with these radical, out-of-touch with reality nuts.

Mr. Duke

By LT5000

March 24, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Mr. Duke.

Where you kicked out for the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy?

Basically, I am saying BULLSH5T to your supposed military service.

And if you will notice my posts. I defined patriotism and then posted a lovely illegal immigrant story. That’s it.

LT5000

By Michael H. Smith

March 24, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Well, Mr. Duke, thank you for your military service to our country. But as I’ve said before I’m not leaving, so spare me your venom. You’ve got alot wrong about me. You’re way off the mark guy. As for GaLiberal, Road Scholar, and Bruce Wilcox: Only one of them, the Road Scholar that is, scores any points with me. He is honest and honestly searching.

I can’t see, or just won’t admit that our country has negatively suffered at the hands of our current presidential administration?

Maybe you should read what I’ve written about our current presidential administration. It is obvious that you are clueless. By 2002 Mr. Bush parted my political company and when Rumsfeld made his “winning the hearts and minds” declaration I nearly had a meltdown. My thoughts at that time were something to this affect: Oh my God, Vietnam all over again. However, Mr. McCain informs me that it is actually Korea, all over again. I suppose I stand corrected.

As for commenting on blacks, what I do know is that I don’t want to live one day as a black person and you are damn right I know I’m privileged, more so than many others in this country as a mixed blood individual of lighter complexion. I also know that has to change, though, I know it won’t any day in my lifetime. Far too much dirty water has gone under the bridge so to speak, to think rapid change can take place.

As for patriotism that goes back to an earlier statement. Patriotism is something you live that you never have to wear.

I hope this doesn’t come as a shock to you Mr. Duke but this country would not even exist if it were not for a hand full of radicals. People like Jefferson, Adams and Franklin etc.

Now what was that you were saying about out-of-touch with reality nuts?

By Mark

March 24, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Patriotism is the want to impeach the murderer in the whitehouse, bringing our boys home from a war based on lies, securing our borders, and deporting every illegal alien in this country.

By KIM

March 24, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Bilbo, it is time for you to make your own path and become an individual who excels in something. Continually living in the sad past does not enable you to overcome anything. It only enables you to continue to underachieve. Many people of many ancestries honor their ancestors who suffered at the hands of oppressors, yet they go forward and appreciate the blood and sacrifies made. You need to do that also and make your forefathers proud of what you can do. As a well known person said: “Don’t make excuses; make plans.” And start with honoring the country that protects your right to express yourself. Be neighborly in attitude and deeds.

By Sandy_G

March 24, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

What is a patriot? Pure and simple, a patriot is someone who serves his or her country. It has nothing to do with politics, flags, bumper stickers or rhetoric. It is someone who gives of themselves for the good of their country and their countrymen.

A patriot is someone who takes action. Just like the first patriots who spoke out against tyranny and then fought against it, those who forged a constitution and those who signed it.

In our day and age, a patriot is the man or woman who stands in line to vote without complaining about the wait. A patriot is someone who participates in their local government, writes letters to their congressman or speaks their mind about issues at a town council or county meeting or protests peacefully against things they believe to be wrong. A patriot is someone who carries a gun into battle or someone who packs the cookies and clean socks into a care package and sends it to a war zone or raises a family alone while their spouse serves in our military. A patriot is someone who teaches a child how to say the Pledge of Allegiance and to remove their hat and cover their heart with their hand during the National Anthem.

A patriot can be a young warrior or an elderly grandmother. Patriotism does not have a political affiliation. You can talk and post all day long about how America is the greatest country on earth and not be a patriot. Being a patriot means serving your country and your countrymen. If you truly love your country, you’ll show it through service and actions.

By PudHead

March 25, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

I am so sick of the slavery nonsense; will some body please show me a former slave? How about their grandfather that may have been a slave? Shut up and move on, if you feel that bad about it please feel free to go back to Africa and start over with the people who sold you in the fist place. I am American Indian, we where not even aloud to be a slave, they just killed us. So get over it, if you keep your eyes on the past you will never see what is in front of you.

By What's funny is...

March 25, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

What’s REALLY funny is that the Pledge of Allegiance which means SO MUCH to the ultra-right wingers whose only real “argument” is to call anything with which they disagree “liberal” and “socialist” was WRITTEN BY A LIBERAL SOCIALIST.

Oh, and since we’re pointing out stupidity - to the moron who said that the Nazi regime was based on Socialism…bzzzzt - wrong. Read up on facism, idiot - it’s the far end of the RIGHT WING political spectrum.

By the finger

March 25, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

**”patriotism - the last refuge of scoundrels”

By What's fuunier is....

March 25, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

The official name of the Nazi party was the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, (German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei[5] or NSDAP). Nazism is generally considered by scholars to be a form of fascism.

bzzzzzt…..maybe partly correct…. The far end of left and right are about the same. TOTAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

Problem in the USA is that 90% of Americans mostly believe in the same thing. Help your neighbor, control corp greed, strong education, accept personal responsibility, lower taxes, and protect the environment. Here if you believe in lower taxes, personal accountability, reasonable immigration control, strong education, protecting the environment and community involvement, who should I vote for? None of the people work for me. NONE of them. They have to appeal to the far left or far right “base” because of our two party money hungry system. I wish one of these candidates would say SOMETHING about medicare and social security. Both are going broke. SS will have no money left the year i turn 64…seems fair to me. Medicare is in even WORST shape. The government ran both of the programs and now people want to give them control of everyone’s healthcare. I started the “Blame me i voted for Bush” club. He has let me down on almost every issue I care about. Immigration is out of control, this crop of can not be compared to regionally centered groups from before. I have no problem with more and more legal or illegal, I just want their kids to value the US more than Mexico or Columbia. It is not happening that way. President Bush at least would address social security, his plan maybe wasnt the best or good for that matter. But at least he would address it.

What should we do???

I think i would have liked Romney…he worked well with a Democratic State Congress…well Commonwealth House. Whatever. Then I started to like what Richardson was saying.

Maybe I won’t vote. What ever happened to the good old Southern Democrat that cared about people, cared about helping, cared about personal responsibility and National Pride. I am a true Democrat at heart but I keep finding myself liking what the other Party is saying more.

FYI: I work for a bank. The banking sectors profit margin is twice what oil companies’ margin is. When is someone going to “take” those profits….hahah or what profits were before the current mortgage mess we are in. This is a classic example of Greed, the hedge funds weren’t happy with 25% a year return???? Go after something more profitable…MBO’s that’s the ticket. Worked well.

Also I have a ARM. I bought a home in Norcross in 2004 at age 24. I have known that in July of 2009 my mortgage will start adjusting. Guess its the evil bank’s fault when I miss my first payment in July of 2009. Then again, I am not eligible for the government program to freeze my ARM. My Credit is to good. (missing a few payments would help this) I make too much money. Could quit to become eligible. Once again middle class gets screwed by both parties.

Sorry for the grammar errors.

By Son of James

March 26, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

I agree with Corey. My father, father-in-law, uncles, cousins and their generations are the TRUE patriots. They fought for THIS country in WWII, Korea and Vietnam and didn’t have the benefits of full citizenship.

Can any of you imagine going to war for a nation that didn’t allow you to vote or participate as a full citizen? I don’t think so. The privileged white people on this blog can never say their parents or relatives were disenfranchised but were still willing to go to war for this country.

My father and father-in-law and their generations went to war for this country on a promise to be one day treated as full citizen. I fly the American flag as reminder of their sacrifice and that promise.

I would never wear a flag on my lapel or get involved in the jingoistic nature of being “a great American”. I’m true to myself and hopes this lady someday fulfills her promises, if not to me, then my sons.

By Fulton

March 28, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

It is sad and painfully obvious by each and every blog I’ve ever seen in the AJC; as a so-called ‘advanced and civilized society’ we have learned nothing of our past mistakes over the years, for racism & bigotry STILL reigns supreme in the hearts and minds of so many. As you cowards hide behind the comforts of your keyboard and take pride in hurling insults at your fellow Americans and more importantly, human beings. It’s one thing to have a healthy difference in opinion but when your feelings are based on assumptions, stereotypes & ignorance, then you have to look inwards as an individual. Again, sadly, many don’t have that capacity and simply choose to hate as this wonderful lady (thx SOJ!) once again fails to meet her own expectations…..

By GaLiberal

March 28, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

I am such an idiot. Y’all need to forgive me.

By Greg

March 28, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Bilbo - What exactly do you have in mind for compensation? Compensation for hours slaves worked plus interest? Sever punative damages for years of legally sanctioned racism? Some punative damages for those that ignore civil rights laws? Some money chipped in from white women who clutch their bags when seeing a black man, causing him emotional damage and impeding his development and ability to get a good job? I truely believe America can reach it’s full potential only when everyone has equal opportunity, but I really struggle with going down the road of compensation for slavery and whether, if a a plan could be implemented, it would make a difference? In the spirit of Obama’s speech last week (honest feedback) - For me, it is difficult to know when know when someone is using injustice from the past to justify personal failures. Many people are born into poverty and overcome high odds against them and many don’t and repeat the cycle. A lot of my rural, white relatives and their friends repeat the drop out of school, have kids early, alcholism/drug addiction cycle. Few had ancestors that were slaves (though some did), but on a very practical level I don’t know what effect recieving money (for whatever reason, compensation for past injustices) would have on their lives. I understand the symbolic impact compensation for slavery and racism would have, but I’m not sure what it real effect it would have. Maybe take away one of the many excuses people in poverty/addiction/jail have for their personal failures?

By Fulton

March 28, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

When debating the ‘slavery’ issue, many don’t understand (or CHOOSE to ignore); The fortunes that you and your family have amassed over decades and handed down from generation to generation were mostly achieved at the expense of others. Those same ‘others’ didn’t have the education, stocks, bonds, business holdings, LEGAL SYSTEM advantages, etc..which have contributed greatly to your family’s well being and longevity. This doesn’t mean ‘others’ want a handout or are lazy and don’t want to work. It only points out the FACT that you’ve had a substantial head start that you should understand and be grateful for, instead of simply ‘dismissing’ it as a non-issue when the subject of ‘slavery’ arises.

By Brad

March 30, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Bilbo:

I’m from Iowa. My ancestors fought and died to free your ancestors. How much of your check are you going to send to me?

By Charles

March 30, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

Actually Brad your ancestors from Iowa fought to maintain their way of life, which every union soldier was fighting for under Abe’s umbrella of national union to create a stronger America that could compete on a global stage, not for slaves. No one cared about the freedom of the slaves, this was no “moral issue” this was an issue about power and money, how rich and powerful would America be today is the south would have won?

By Brad

March 30, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this

No, Charles, my ancestors were abolitionists.

By Jack

April 1, 2008 10:03 PM | Link to this

What is patriotism?

It is love for America, in what it stands for, the opportunity it brings, the freedom it allows and honoring the American flag as one would honor the Bible.

It is standing at the flag with awe and tears welling up in your eyes as you stand their thinking of all the men and women that died or forever crippled because they stood for selflisness and duty to their country. They fought for every American no matter the color, greed or origin. It is standing their beaming with pride to be so blessed to live in such an awesome country.

It is wondering how great it would have been to be a fore father when they wrote the declaration of independence. The pride they must have felt when it was signed and made law.

A land of the brave and free. A place to practice freedom of religion and the ability to have a voice to speak out and be heard. A place where you vote and have a say so.

A place where you can make a difference in the world, such as many great people like Martin Luther King or whatever other true American hero you want to think about.

Patriotism is falling to your knees and crying out to God to cover this great country with a protection blanket from his beautiful blood and praying for the leaders of this country to be given the wisdom to better this country more and more by the day. And crying out to God thanking him for living in such a awesome Country and being able to sleep under the blanket of freedom that the men and women of the U.S. military provide for us.

I am a 38 year old white male that is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army and I stand with pride to know that I am a part of the United States of America.

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