OPINION: ‘God Bless the U.S.A.!’

Frank Gillispie

OPINION: ‘God Bless the U.S.A.!’

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Thursday, June 21. 2012

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Commentator Bill Press who is featured on an obscure network with a limited audience, is involved with a campaign to change the American Anthem. He says he is “embarrassed” by the Star Spangled Banner for many reasons. His primary objection seems to be that it is a war anthem. It talks about bombs bursting in air, rockets and other war themes.

The song was written during the War of 1812, the war in which the United States won worldwide recognition as an independent nation. The historic importance of the song is clear, and its recognition as a proper representation of our nation is without question.

There are, however, other songs about our nation that could equally well fill that role. My favorite is “America the Beautiful.” I am especially thrilled by the opening lines, “O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain.” At one time in my life I explored the idea of opening or buying a natural food store. The name I planned to use for the store was “The Amber Wave.” Unfortunately, that plan fell through and I was never able to do it.

Other great patriotic songs include

Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by Mack Wilberg, and in recent years, Lee Greenwoods, “God Bless the U.S.A.”

I suppose those who object to “The Star Spangled Banner,” because of its military content will object to my other choices because they all offer thanks to God for our nation. There was another story in the news about a kindergarten teacher who refused to allow her students to sing Lee Greenwood’s song because it might “offend” none Christians.

I find it strange that people will be so concerned about offending a small group of people that they readily offend the vast majority of Americans. Millions of Christians, Jews, Muslims and other faiths are regularly offended by attacks on their faith. But you seldom hear the media, or left-wing political activists objecting to those offenses.

What ever happened to the idea of “majority rule?” Why is it that a tiny minority of people can force their opinions on the rest of us while the majority’s positions are routinely ignored? It is time to reinstate the idea that we are all equally important. The opinion of the majority is of equal or greater value than that of small minorities.

When you hear a call from the people to “Take America Back” this is the kind of thing we are talking about. America belongs to all the people, not a minority who are determined to force their limited ideas on the rest of us. If they are offended by our majority opinion, then that is their problem. We are under no obligation to change our ideas to match their often anti-American opinions.

All our patriotic songs are valuable. They all need to be protected from the small group on the radical left. Sing them all, including the Star Spangled Banner. If someone is offended by our great national songs, let them stay in their seats and keep silent.

As for me, I will stand and sing the National Anthem when it is performed, and with full gusto I will stand and sing “God Bless the U.S.A!”

Frank Gillispie is founder of The Madison County Journal. His e-mail address is frank@frankgillispie.com. His website can be accessed at http://www.frankgillispie.com/gillispieonline.

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#1 Ben Had on 06/21/12 at 06:10 AM [Reply]

"What ever happened to the idea of “majority rule?” Why is it that a tiny minority of people can force their opinions on the rest of us while the majority’s positions are routinely ignored?"

Approximately 85% of the people in this country claim to believe in God. 70% of those people are just hypocrites,living by their own moral code.
By my calculations, that leaves it about even.

#1.1 John Birch on 06/23/12 at 07:43 AM [Reply]

Ben, The United States of America was never founded on majority rule. It was founded as a Republic. When majority rule takes over then government employees, government sycophants (social security, medicare, medicaid, welfare recipients, etc.) then get to vote in the low life politician who promises them what they want. More money from the working taxpayer.

Eww, does this sound like what we have now?

Read Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville.

#2 Ms.K on 06/22/12 at 12:20 PM [Reply]

"I suppose those who object to “The Star Spangled Banner,” because of its military content will object to my other choices because they all offer thanks to God for our nation."

Why would you make this unconnected assumption? Seems it would be the other way around. Jesus promoted love thy neighbor type attitudes such that Christians would find war-like attitudes offensive and embrace the songs about thanking God. Unless you are actually speaking to political connections, which I suspect. You are assuming that Christians are conservative, therefore, they are Republicans who support war and God. Anyone not Republicans and Christians would object to all things millitary and Christian and, therefore, take offense. Pretty broad brush there overflowing with assuptions.

#3 Virginia Moss on 06/22/12 at 12:26 PM [Reply]

My only objection to "The Star-Spangled Banner" is that it's an operatic piece unattainable by the average person. It should be reserved for professionals only at highly formal occasions. Let the rest of us sing the others "with full gusto", as Mr. Gillispie says.

#4 A. Smith on 06/22/12 at 01:18 PM [Reply]

I had to chuckle when I read this. As a child, I often heard my father give his speech about why "The Star Spangled Banner" was a terrible choice for our national anthem.

His objections had nothing to do with the military content. His first complaint was that it is unsingable by 95% of the population, which makes it painful to listen to for 100% of the population. (Don't we all get a little nervous about the approaching high notes?) Secondly, he pointed out that the song lyrics evoke obscure images which have little to do with the essence of what America is. He, too, favored "America the Beautiful" or "God Bless America" as better options.

Having been properly trained to love all things patriotic in school, I thought this was a radical, almost blasphemous concept, and I only hoped that the subject wouldn't come up in front of my friends.

Thirty-five years later, I have come to appreciate my father's renegade spirit, and his ability to stare down convention without flinching when convention was in the wrong. I've got a little of that in me now, too. Perhaps someday my own kids will read an editorial that lets them know their mother wasn't the only person who supported omitting the word "indivisible" from The Pledge of Allegiance.

#4.1 Virginia Moss on 06/25/12 at 05:08 PM [Reply]

Wonderful commentary. As evidenced these past ten years or so, Americans are quite divisable, even to the extreme. It is frightfully undermining our strength and character as a nation. I have often questioned the teaching of our pledge of allegiance to little children; sometimes it seems like brainwashing of the innocent. I wonder how much such teachings encourage blind acceptance of the status quo when our way of governing requires enormous critical thinking and participation by all citizens to keep it on even keel. As Ms. Smith said of her father, ".... stare down convention without flinching when convention was in the wrong." Times change so that government needs to change all the time not only to adjust but to progress. Sometimes we need to push the envelope; maybe that's what's happening now. Maybe not.

#5 runningdeer on 06/22/12 at 06:35 PM [Reply]

Today you can see the heart and mind of all people and you are God... is that right Ben Had? It must be since you are making up your mind that only you know the real mind and heart of the masses and therefore you can condemn them. Pathetic!

#6 Anonymous on 06/22/12 at 06:48 PM [Reply]

The lame stream media doesn't object to it because they have been bought by people who are anti- God , anti- religion ( unless it is the worship of the all mighty dollar and those who own those media networks ( George Soros comes to mind) but I know the radicals here will holler "Murdock", when the truth is that even those radicals are deluded. Social acceptance is of so much importance with many of the people who refuse to let any song be sung that contains any word that may or may not (offend) some one of some little group. Offend , sic... that has been used for so long and by too many who hid behind the word and had -sicker- Government- back up for their whining and complaining. It has become a catch phrase now and means absolutely nothing.When some misguided fool tells children in a pre-school class that it is great to sing a Justin Beaber song called "Baby" but not " God Bless America", it only proves how stupid these so called educators have become and how too many of them have been brain washed to do what is "politically correct" now. ( Note to teachers) not all are that stupid thank GOD!

#7 Ben Around Awhile on 06/23/12 at 07:44 AM [Reply]

Well Ben, you're consistent if nothing else. Also let me compliment you on your John Lennon avatar on the ABH site. I couldn't have picked a better one for you myself.

Your posts often leave me torn. I frequently laugh out loud, then feel extremely guilty because there's nothing funny about them. I guess that's to be expected, though, hyprocrite that I am.

#7.1 Ms.K on 06/24/12 at 07:54 PM [Reply]

Apparently, you haven't been around long enough to figure out that you can click on the red word "reply" to the right of the poster's name so that your post will appear under the post of the person you are replying to. It would be good if you had something to add to the discussion instead of denigrating another poster with what you seem to think is clever put-downs. I'm neither impressed nor informed.

#7.1.1 Ben Around Awhile on 06/25/12 at 10:59 AM [Reply]

You're so right about the 'reply' option. I'll try never to do it again. But you're wrong if you have even the slightest notion that I care about impressing you. As for denigrating another poster? Absolutely, but I'm not feeling particularly guilty about it. I suspect Ben can take it as well as he dishes it out.

By the way, I'm still looking for what you added to the discussion.

#7.1.1.1 Ms.K on 06/30/12 at 12:39 AM [Reply]

I must apologize to you. From time to time on this site, replies don't seem register with the computer so this could have happened to you. Your negative tone simply irritates me and sucks me into your ugly attitudes. This makes me diappointed in myself; I like to think I am better than to let the nastiness of others contaminate me. I've posted all I have to say about this discussion.

#8 Sky Pilot on 06/24/12 at 08:14 PM [Reply]

I was an American fighting man. I served in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I was prepared to give my life in their defense. I am also a liberal, please never doubt my love for my country. Liberals love our country and just have different ideas, mostly concerning social issuses.

#9 Virginia Moss on 06/25/12 at 05:17 PM [Reply]

I personally don't like labels but sometimes they are handy for the purposes of discussion. I've always wondered why it seems that a whole lot of conservatives brand themselves with patriotism and Christianity as if those attributes were exclusively their domain. Liberals don't seem to seek branding of any kind. They mostly talk of issues and solutions, be they right or wrong, feasable or not. At least they care about others. What's fair and reasonable is to be found in the middle, not at the extremes.

#9.1 John Birch on 06/29/12 at 04:54 AM [Reply]

Please explain to us how liberals care about others more so than conservatives. Perhaps the Obamacare vote buying scheme could be used.

#9.1.1 Virginia Moss on 06/29/12 at 07:01 PM [Reply]

Good example, but off topic here. We have two problems regarding health care. It is not working well even for those who can manage to afford it and more and more citizens can't afford it at all. The fundamental question for our society regarding health care is: Do we or do we not, as a society, want all citizens to have access to adequate health care? Adequate means reasonable quality and affordability.

If the answer is no, then we must be prepared to step over dying people outside emergency rooms, on sidewalks begging for help and in our neighbors' houses because we, as individuals, do not want to be burdened with other people's cost of health care, only our own. We do not want to pay for other people's lack of personal responsibility. That's their problem, not ours.

If we do, as a society, want all citizens to have access to adequate health care, then how do we accomplish that? Long ago "HillaryCare" was savaged by everyone; how dare a woman tell us what to do! Socialism banging at the door just waiting to bring down the good ole USA! Before that, Nixon had a plan. Then Romney not only had a plan, but actually had the foresight to implement it to see how it would work in Massachusettes; it isn't entirely perfect there. Now, Obama has a plan. It isn't perfect either, but the foundation of it is that all must participate in order to spread medical risk over all the people, not just those paying for insurance and services and drugs.

How do we accomplish that foundation in order to begin to work on all the other issues in health care which are also a part of ObamaCare? Our president is trying to make it happen within the structure of capitalism so as to avoid any hint of that evil monster socialism and so as to preserve that huge industry of medical insurance that permeates our economy. To eliminate that industry would simply cause an insurance bubble-burst; not something we need right now.

So, no one could come up with a better way than an individual mandate to purchase (capitalism) medical insurance of any level (choice)from any legitimate company offering coverage (choice). Now, for those unwilling to purchase coverage (capitalism), they don't have to (choice), but they will have to then pay a penalty in order to do their part (personal responsibility) to maintain the foundation of the whole idea by contributing to the spread-of-risk fundamental. Those who are truly unable to purchase will be subsidized (socialism, the horror) in order to, again, maintain the spread-of-risk idea as well as to be taken care of so that their communicable diseases can be controlled to keep the rest of us healthy, among many other things.

In my mind, there are those who are willing to step over dying people and those who aren't. When it comes right down to it, the latter will have all kinds of labels, the former will have different labels. I'll leave it to others to stick those labels on; I don't like labels; I like ideas and actions that solve problems.

#9.1.1.1 Tao on 06/30/12 at 06:30 AM [Reply]

I do not recall in the history of America, even before health insurance, people walking over dying people, except in the War for Southern Independence.

We already have access to healthcare for everyone in America, the choice has to be made to pay for it. Now I understand health care can be expensive, I have found that many providers when told of a patients financial situation will provide care at the most accommodating fees.

Nothing in the ObamaCare tax hike makes health care affordable. It does however increase the cost of providing health care. So here are few things our representatives can do to make healthcare affordable:
1. Eliminate the FDA and its burdensome regulations.
If eliminating the FDA seems to scary, then eliminate lawsuits of supposed faulty medical devices and drugs. Because they can't be faulty if the FDA approved them.
2. Stop making medical sales a sales taxable event. In many states this adds up to 11% to the cost of providing health care.
3. Stop allowing medical device and pharmaceutical companies from advertising to the uneducated consumer. This would allow for billions of dollars in advertising costs to be redirected into consumer savings.
4. Repeal the Excise tax and hospital tax in ObamaCare's new tax hike, I mean vote buying scheme, I mean healthcare affordability lie.
5. Make patients pay for doctor visits and make insurance pay for surgeries and hospital stays.

This lie forced on America does nothing to increase affordable access to healthcare. It does give unscrupulous politicians a platform to buy votes now while bankrupting our country and our children. While people may think healthcare is a "right" it is not. Someone has to go to school and set up a practice and continue ongoing education to provide that "right". Before healthcare can be a"right", shouldn't food/water and shelter be a "right"? Without those I can't live long enough to need healthcare. So who is going to pay for my rights of food/water and shelter? Who will produce these for me and not make money?

My hope is that the misguided and uniformed will look at Greece, Italy, Spain and other 3rd world countries and look at what the absence of personal responsibility has wrought and truly ask themselves, "Is that what I want for my children and grandchildren?"

When extremists like the above post speak from emotion and not facts is does nothing to build personal responsibility and only further breaks down society.

Remember we all die, is bankrupting our country worth the false hope that we can live forever?

#9.1.1.1.1 Virginia Moss on 06/30/12 at 04:45 PM [Reply]

I didn't know you were so capable of this much real thought. I agree, sort of, with many of your ideas here, but I don't want to hijack the original discussion here with further comments on health care other than one.

"I have found that many providers when told of a patients financial situation will provide care at the most accommodating fees."

When I was without insurance for a short while, providers did offer a set percentage discount since they would not have to deal with insurance (around 20%) if I told them I was a self-pay. If they had discounted below that to accommodate me, can you tell me who makes up for that loss to the practice or to the hospital? They up their charges to paying "customers" as many times over as they "accommodate" nonpaying "customers". That gets reflected in insurance premiums as well for a double whammy on the responsible people.

#9.1.1.1.1.1 John Birch on 07/02/12 at 05:19 PM [Reply]

All physician fees are set to Medicare fee schedules. Hospitals are reimbursed different depending on their status as "teaching" or provider of services.

Hospitals get reimbursed at 65% of all indigent charges accumulated for the year.

I have seen surgeries performed for 3 buttons off a civil war soldier uniform. I guess attitude goes a long way in negotiating exchange of services.

#9.1.1.1.1.1.1 Virginia Moss on 07/03/12 at 07:53 AM [Reply]

I assume when you say "reimbursed" you mean by either state or federal government. That's good to know; that would leave only 35% to take as a loss or to pass on to paying customers. One would think that somehow, with our present system, the lady in Savannah could get the operation needed. I don't know the details of her situation. I don't like to think ill of folks, but perhaps she is on disability because of her anemia and likes not having to work so to fix the anemia would require her to work again. Just guessing. She could be on Social Security but not eligible for Medicare yet. Seems like she would qualify for Medicaid but I don't know how that works. All this is just speculation. My apologies to Mr. Gillispie for the off-topic thread.

#9.1.1.2 small minded on 06/30/12 at 07:38 AM [Reply]

This has to be one of the most small minded, twisted views of ever written.

This post starts out talking about access,of which there is already plenty of. The rest of the dribble is about justifying a tax hike.

The problem with access today is the over utilization of services by those who do not have to pay for those services. And now the new tax scheme is going to add 30 million or so to the over utilization crowd, good luck with your access.

#9.1.1.2.1 Virginia Moss on 06/30/12 at 05:03 PM [Reply]

Well, better small-minded than closed-minded, I suppose. Again, I don't want to hijack this off-topic discussion that I started, but I would like to respond to one issue here.

"This post starts out talking about access,of which there is already plenty of."

Plenty? There is no access to health care if you don't have money and/or insurance unless you incur emergency room charges that you don't pay or you beg for charity or Medicaid. Thankfully, you are right; Americans aren't found to die in the streets and that was the point of my initial post about the choices we, as a society, make, but many do slip through the plentiful cracks. Case in point:

A woman in Savannah has a severe anemia problem. She has no insurance, no money. Her problem would be solved with an operation costing $6,000 which she doesn't have. She gets a blood transfusion in the ER every month or so to stay alive and doesn't pay her now $100,000 bill. Who has been paying for that? It's in every bill that hospital issues to others who do pay. Is this access? Does this make sense?

#9.1.1.2.1.1 Tao on 07/02/12 at 05:10 PM [Reply]

Suppose the woman in Savannah had been saving money for a rainy day or paying for insurance instead of some other spending that was discretionary?

#9.1.1.2.1.1.1 Ben Had on 07/03/12 at 06:15 AM [Reply]

We don't need cell phones, cable TV, internet service, new cars, new clothes, riding lawnmowers, air conditioning,mircowave ovens, etc. These things are discretionary spending.
We should be saving our money for healthcare instead. I mean, how long would it take the average person to save $100,000, right Tao?

We do need food though. But,that's okay. Once we eliminate all of discretionary spending (and the jobs that go with them) we will be back to an agricultural based economy.
You could just trade (barter)one of your chickens for some coffee and sugar,or what not.
Ah, the good ol' days...
Life expectancy - 60 years old. Unless you have money.

#9.1.1.2.1.1.1.1 Tao on 07/04/12 at 11:31 AM [Reply]

Almost everything mentioned in this post is made in another country so it is not supporting American jobs.

Please support the $100,000 comment.

Health insurance can be purchased for $350 a month on up depending on savings to pay deductibles.

#9.1.1.2.1.1.1.1.1 Ms.K on 07/05/12 at 05:48 PM [Reply]

The $100,000 comment was sarcasm because most people can't even hope to save that much just from cutting out "discretionary" expenses. That amount might pay most of the non-covered expenses of a $500,000 heart attack with coverage, but then when the wife has cancer how are they going to pay for the stuff insurance doesn't cover in a $500,000 surgery and treatment protocol for cancer?

You must be quite young if you think $350 monthly premiums are the norm or maybe your boss pays for most of your premium. $600 monthly gets a single older person minimum coverage with a deductible of several thousand dollars and a 40% co-pay. I have no idea how a father can manage to cover his family today; premiums would have to be half his income (and taxes would be the other half). This is why the mother has to work; she pays for what the family actually lives on!

#9.1.1.2.1.1.2 Virginia Moss on 07/03/12 at 07:40 AM [Reply]

That would certainly make sense! I don't know the details of her life, but this was told to me by a high school friend of my daughter's who became an emergency room doctor. She may be living on Social Security or on disability because of her anemia. The point is that she shows up, the hospital has to treat her by our laws, she does not pay and the hospital, by unfunded mandate, has to take the loss. Is that fair to the hospital or to the patients it passes on the loss to 9patients who already have their own burdens)? Shouldn't we instead spread that cost over all taxpayers? And if we do that, wouldn't it make sense, instead, to just cover her in some way so that she gets the $6,000 operation and stops incurring charges that never get paid by her?

#9.1.1.3 John Birch on 07/01/12 at 08:05 AM [Reply]

Dear Mislead Moss,
A mandate is not capitalism, a mandate is communism, maybe socialism on a good day.

Capitalism is the exchange of goods without duress.

Personal choice in choosing to buy or not health insurance is to pay cash when healthcare is needed or become sick and die. That is choice.

Its like buying groceries, I can choose to buy them and eat or I can choose to spend my money on booze, cigarettes and lottery tickets and be unhealthy and die. Choice.

#9.1.1.3.1 Virginia Moss on 07/01/12 at 11:11 AM [Reply]

From the insurance companies' point of view, it's capitalism so that the money goes 'round and 'round in it's capitalistic fashion. Am I to assume from your post that you would be one of those who would vote "no" on my fundamental question about society's obligation to its members?

"If the answer is no, then we must be prepared to step over dying people outside emergency rooms, on sidewalks begging for help and in our neighbors' houses because we, as individuals, do not want to be burdened with other people's cost of health care, only our own. We do not want to pay for other people's lack of personal responsibility. That's their problem, not ours."

#9.1.1.3.1.1 Tao on 07/03/12 at 07:32 AM [Reply]

What is the reason those who do not choose to provide for themselves are not considered as not caring for others in society who are responsible for themselves?

#9.1.1.3.1.1.1 Virginia Moss on 07/05/12 at 05:58 PM [Reply]

"Am I to assume from your post that you would be one of those who would vote "no" on my fundamental question about society's obligation to its members?"

Yes or no, Tao? Those who fail to be responsible for themselves through no fault of their own deserve our help. Those who do so by way of their own irresponsibility are considered selfish and a burden to society; they don't want to be obligated to themselves, much less to anybody else. They would answer my question with a "no". How do you answer my question?

#9.1.1.3.1.1.1.1 Tao on 07/06/12 at 04:55 AM [Reply]

Please explain no fault of their own.

I spend almost 40% of my income on medical expenses every year. I don't get to take vacations, or live in fine house, or color tvs in every room. What I do get to do is say I take car of my family without burdening anyone else. Just because misfortune struck my family for no reason(systemic diseases from early age) that doesn't give us the right to take from others. Will we live as long as others? Probably not and we will die knowing we did not steal from others.

So Ms. Moss I would vote "yes" we have an obligation to society to not burden them with my problems.

#9.1.1.3.1.1.1.1.1 Virginia Moss on 07/06/12 at 08:41 PM [Reply]

That wasn't my question. Still waiting.

"Am I to assume from your post that you would be one of those who would vote "no" on my fundamental question about society's obligation to its members?"

People who are disabled through no fault of their own fail to support themselves and are a burden to society, but we own them support because their situation is not their fault and they can't help themselves. Evidently, you can help yourself and your family, so far. Fine. You are not the only one who can't afford to take vacations, live in a fancy house or have multiple color televisions. I haven't been able to afford television service for four years now, though I have 3 very old sets collected over the years. One vacation in 40 years, but I love my work. Modest house that's paid for. 30% for insurance and 50% for all taxes means I actually live on 20% of what I make now. Pitiful. We're not the only ones.

#9.1.1.3.1.1.1.1.1.1 Tao on 07/07/12 at 10:41 AM [Reply]

We have the obligation to not be a burden to our neighbors through force.

There are many charity organizations whose very charter is to help the downtrodden. It is not the governments role or my role to be forced to pay for others survival.

The question should be asked this way, "Should others be forced to pay by government for those who are in desperate need when churches, etc. exist as tax free organizations to help?"

Congratulations on being a 1%. That 50% tax bracket is difficult to achieve.

#9.1.1.3.1.1.1.1.1.2 Tao on 07/08/12 at 09:03 AM [Reply]

I'm still waiting for your definition of:
No fault of their own
Support
Health care
health coverage
Access to health care
Who gets to decide who works for free
Why can't food and shelter be a right
Where does the taking from others end
Whats right about being responsible for one's self
Whats right about not asking the government to steal from others to give to me
Whats right about living the life dealt me and not complaining
Whats right about living till I die and not burdening society with bills to allow me to live one more year

#10 From the heart of a child . on 06/26/12 at 08:18 AM [Reply]

This Country was not founded on majority rule.
That's the first misconception.
Majority rule was only something that was suppose to decide who we elected to a public office. However under the electoral college that doesn't even work anymore.
It was founded for individual liberty period. That we all have the freedom to decide our own future and destiny in the pursuit of happiness based on our own desires and talents without persecution or denial by the majority or a minority. Our founders did not make this country a Democracy for that reason because it was considered mob rule.
Neither does a Majority or minority have the right to use this government to force their will upon us . That's why we have a Constitutional Republic.
That does guarantee us all equal protection to self govern our own lives provided that in the course of that pursuit we do not infringe upon the rights or property of others against their will in doing so .What and individual believe's in their personal life should have no bearing on another.
Those who are so intolerant towards others because of their beliefs should not expect kindness in return. Should they ? For some ridiculous reason that seems to be the case doesn't it ?
I like allot of different kinds of music because it all is an expression of peoples true feelings and is a form of art protected by law under the first Amendment of free speech . I also don't like allot of music and I don't listen to it but don't believe it should be outlawed.
I'm just a child under our laws in this country and am living the persecution of those who came before me without even having a say . However very soon I an many like me will and as the older generations seem to have sold us out to the devil himself for a false sense of security as Ben Franklin said deserve neither . I am a forgiving and compassionate person but find it harder and harder to continue to forgive those who destroy my life and freedoms and then demand my respect and trust and kindness. We are living without the freedom they once enjoyed and they shouldn't expect us to be so forgiving of them as we move forward into the future which we will build for ourselves. However we will forgive them but never forget what was allowed to happen at such a great cost to us all. We now have a form of government aligned with commerce ,organized religion and academia all wanting to use the government to impose their will upon us at a great lose to my generations freedom and liberty as well as theirs . It has pitted us brother against brother sister against sister etc. etc. I only hope and pray to the Almighty God which I believe in, that those who have allowed this to happen will come to their senses before its to late and help us to move back towards that freedom that they once enjoyed before its to late . Those generations before mine have broken this system and I am afraid they don't know how or wont fix it and I cry very often hoping they will see what they have done to us . How can they truly love us and allow this even though I do love them so much. Only then will the one true God who can forgive ,will he truly bless us again as a nation of united people who stand together for one common cause. FREEDOM !! I love you Mom and Dad , Nanny and Papa. Please help us !!!!!

#10.1 Ben Had on 06/29/12 at 09:06 AM [Reply]

Hear hear.
If you are a child, it is by age only.

#11 From the heart of a child . on 06/26/12 at 09:58 AM [Reply]

This Country was not founded on majority rule.
That's the first misconception.
Majority rule was only something that was suppose to decide who we elected to a public office. However under the electoral college that doesn't even work anymore.
It was founded for individual liberty period. That we all have the freedom to decide our own future and destiny in the pursuit of happiness based on our own desires and talents without persecution or denial by the majority or a minority. Our founders did not make this country a Democracy for that reason because it was considered mob rule. Neither does a Majority or minority have the right to use this government to force their will upon us . That's why we have a Constitutional Republic.
That does guarantee us all equal protection to self govern our own lives provided that in the course of that pursuit we do not infringe upon the rights or property of others against their will in doing so .What and individual believe's in their personal life should have no bearing on another.Those who are so intolerant towards others because of their beliefs should not expect kindness in return. Should they ? For some ridiculous reason that seems to be the case doesn't it ? I like allot of different kinds of music because it all is an expression of peoples true feelings and is a form of art protected by law under the first Amendment of free speech . I also don't like allot of music and I don't listen to it but don't believe it should be outlawed. I'm just a child under our laws in this country and am living the persecution of those who came before me without even having a say . However very soon I an many like me will and as the older generations seem to have sold us out to the devil himself for a false sense of security as Ben Franklin said deserve neither . I am a forgiving and compassionate person but find it harder and harder to continue to forgive those who destroy my life and freedoms and then demand my respect and trust and kindness. We are living without the freedom they once enjoyed and they shouldn't expect us to be so forgiving of them as we move forward into the future which we will build for ourselves. However we will forgive them but never forget what was allowed to happen at such a great cost to us all. We now have a form of government aligned with commerce ,organized religion and academia all wanting to use the government to impose their will upon us at a great lose to my generations freedom and liberty as well as theirs . It has pitted us brother against brother sister against sister etc. etc. I only hope and pray to the Almighty God which I believe in, that those who have allowed this to happen will come to their senses before its to late and help us to move back towards that freedom that they once enjoyed before its to late . Those generations before mine have broken this system and I am afraid they don't know how or wont fix it and I cry very often hoping they will see what they have done to us . How can they truly love us and allow this even though I do love them so much. Only then will the one true God who can forgive ,will he truly bless us again as a nation of united people who stand together for one common cause. FREEDOM !! I love you Mom and Dad , Nanny and Papa. Please help us !!!!!

#11.1 Virginia Moss on 06/30/12 at 04:47 PM [Reply]

Worth saying twice.

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OPINION: ‘God Bless the U.S.A.!’

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OPINION: ‘God Bless the U.S.A.!’

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