It's Only Endearing To A Point
Woody
I'm not completely sure when it began but to my recollection it
was right around the late 1960's. That was a time when Mom & Dad (read
the Government) began to tolerate that which should have been
addressed as poor behavior - but was successfully presented by the
"precocious child of hippy-ism" as dissent - simply because of
timing. After all, how could the U.S. Government possibly engage the
stifling hand of Communism abroad while simultaneously refuting the
voices of dissent here at home?
What happened was most likely an inadvertent - at least at first
- collusion between the supposedly patriotic hippies and the forces we
were fighting in South East Asia. The NVA did appreciate the help,
whether inadvertant or not.
I made the analogy to prodigal children because in a sense, we
are all children of America. We have always had the precious freedom
to criticize our elected leaders, but we have historically done so
sparingly, mostly out of respect for the flag and the sacrifices
millions have made to honor that flag. But the Vietnam War changed
that, and people began to develop what can only be interpreted as an
utter disdain for their flag and country. Call it a permissable
tantrum, if you will. We see it ever increasingly and the most
astonishing thing of all is; the most affluent among us are also the
most vociferous in their attacks. Much as the well-to-do child is
spoiled rotten.
An endearing characteristic of the most successful is a strong
sense of humility. Self deprecating humor has always been a quality
that acts as a magnet between the masses and the elite. But Americans
on an alarmingly increasing level have felt that superiority over the
third world and have expressed their false humility ad-nauseum,
perhaps out of shame, but most definitely at the peril of their
country.
That shame is probably at the root of the apparent willingness of
our own brethren to declare that they have more respect for
totalitarian enclaves than they do for America. "Cuba has better
health care than America", they bleat, to which I reply, "Poppycock!"
Cuba has free health care. That doesn't equate to "better", regardless
of Michael Moore's opinion. Most people still flock to our shores when
quality matters most. Or Life.
Let's move on to religion. Most of us have grown up singing
Christmas carols in school pageants and then gathering for an exchange
of trinkets around the big tree in the lobby. Perhaps the Jewish
children felt somewhat slighted, but they never let on, and those with
whom I attended elementary school have yet to show any signs of
trauma.
But now we have this huge push to eliminate any signs of that
which is inarguably the foundation of our [once] great country, and
even as we struggle to maintain that heritage, we are scoffed at for
seeing demons where "none exist". Really? Then what is the battle
about, and why are those who deny its very existence pushing back so
hard?
From the Ten Commandments in courthouses to pre-game prayers in
our schools, we are being beseeched to disavow all things to do with
God, and yet in the very name of "tolerance", (I prefer to call it by
it's real name; acquiesence) we are being force fed a steady diet of
Islam in which we must install footbaths for muslim students and allow
for five-times-a-day prayers. When do those who display such disregard
for religion finally and, inadvertantly, side with America regarding
the scourge of radical islamism? Or will they take self deprecation to
tragic levels?
-Woody