These Two Idiots, Should Stop and Thank a Veteran.
Before getting into the meat of this article I’d like to stop and thank all of the veterans out there for their service to our country. Yes, that sincere and heartfelt “thank you” is extended to MSSC54 and The Fallen who both served this country and post here regularly. While we disagree quite frequently, please know that we are brothers-in-arms and that tie binds us forever.
“So why the picture above PolitiPornster?“
I posted that picture because I beleive it to be emblematic of what everyday citizens owe to our veterans. Were we any other country, the two idiots posted above could be lined-up and shot. But the good ole US of A was founded on many freedoms granted to citizens including the freedom of speech. This freedom is protected by those that serve in uniform now, those that served in the past and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Our veterans in Vietnam fought for the rights of hippies to conduct marches in our major cities and for those same hippies to accuse them of being baby killers and worse.
Our veterans fought to preserve the freedoms of all Americans, even the same idiots that would burn a Cross and spout hatred. Even the idiots today that protest veteran’s funerals hoisting signs that say “God Hates Fags!”
Why? Because that’s America, the land and ideals that we protect.
“How is all that crap ideals of America?” You’re correct, those aren’t our real or true ideals but we allow even the village idiots to spout hate, stupidity and anti-Americanism. The reason we allow it is because as Americans we are not afraid of their ignorant ideas. America is bigger than that. Time and time again, loonies from the far left and the far right have put forth crazy ideas that would destroy the American ideal. Time and time again, those crazy ideas have been beaten back and overcome by the grand and virtuous American ideal.
It’s that American ideal that veterans preserve with their service and sacrifice to the country. Never forget that, even whilst you scoff at the notion of serving in the military, curse our democracy or try to run old Glory down. We will forever hold these truths to be self evident and we will fight to protect them.
I agree that we fought for freedom of speech, but as you know I do see burning our flag as “free speech.” I would not shoot the idiots, but I would kick their butts!
I meant to say that “I do NOT see burning our flag as free speech!”
If I were to witness someone burning a flag I would simple “rescue” the flag as an expression of MY free speach.
And since today is Veterans Day….
http://mssc54.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/veterans-day-2008/
I hope everyone appreciates their freedoms.
This is a great post Politipornster.
And I do think that Freedom of Speech includes the right to burn the Flag or allow Neo-Nazi’s march in a parade and fly a flag with a swastika on it. Even if we hate everything that these actions stand for, with every fiber of our being.
That’s why people like Ann Coulter, Bill Maher, and Don Imus still have jobs. Because we do value Freedom of Speech over content of speech. Because our veterans did fight for the right of everyone to express their opinions.
What we should never forget is that above all, the US is marketplace of ideas. We allow all to take their beliefs and ideas to market and then we as group decide whether to buy into those ideas.
I agree with MSSC54’s idea about rescuing the flag. A person can burn a flag and that’s free speech, it should also be free expression for me to snatch up that flag and extinguish the flame.
I agree with everybody’s post responses today! Woo hoo! I most of my friends and the American Legion would still like to see it being a federal crime to burn the American flag. It is a high honor to have a fallen veteran’s casket draped in the American flag. It symbolizes the faithful service and sacrifice of the veteran/active duty member for his/her country. Such an important symbol should not be desecrated under the “free speech” clause.
I cannot convey enough how much pride I had in my country and the American flag when I served overseas. My father, me and my son all qualify to have our caskets draped with the American flag due to your service in the Navy and Coast Guard.
@Politipornster – I know that you disagree with me on the flag burning amendment, but I also know that you would not allow it to happen in YOUR presence either. Let’s leave the free speech to the manner in which it was intended…marches, signs, writings and broadcasts not the burning of our precious national symbol.
With all of that said, perhaps I can get us veterans some extra lovin’ tonight…I order all non-veterans to find a vet and give him/her a kiss. If I know my fellow vets, it won’t stop with the kissing.
KISS A VETERAN!
@Politipornster – I can selfishly agree to that!
This is what the American people has become, the arm forces get no respect today, notice, they don’t call Obama the Commander In Chief. I wonder why.