Having begun my odyssey in the blogging community, I couldn't help but notice that bloggers have definite views about their government. Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, and everyone else outside and in-between these traditional political parties inherited the same passion and are not shy to tell it, which is what makes America so unique from other nation states.
It has been said that Americans' are truly blessed but have forgotten the sacrifices made to achieve the freedom we enjoy today, as my godmother tactlessly puts it to anyone who cares to listen. Generations have passed since the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and today, freedom is enjoyed and accepted and has become ubiquitous--the freedom that our forebears fought so passionately, many now take for granted.
Which brings me to this. Not long ago, Communist Russia was our sworn enemy, until former President Ronald Regan and Russia's Mikhail Gorbachev forged a bond that transcended politics and reached into the soul of humanity and in the process, led to the end of the Cold War.
Today, the enemy is world terrorism, brought intimately and devastatingly home on 9/11. The United States of America- the most powerful country in the world-fell victim to a terrorist attack and the men and women who died and those who gave their lives to save and rescue, have not gone quietly into the night. May we have the same loyalty, respect and grieving memory for our troops and allies who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.
Americans' at home and overseas united, mourned and prayed, and began rebuilding the "spirit" of America. The enemy would try to topple a nation of ethnic diversity, but it can never contain and control freedom, for freedom lives in the heart and spirit of its citizenry and cannot be bought or destroyed.
During the 2004 election, America was divided; Americans have adopted different ideological and political systems-- the war in Iraq had taken its toll, but the people spoke and George Bush was re-elected. There are rumors that the U.S. plans to invade Iran, but perhaps not merely a rumor but fact, according to a journalist who stands by his sources whom he vouches are reliable. Pentagon officials were incensed when the story hit the newsstands, vehemently spewing nebulous statements, but neither confirming or denying the story. If the President decides to invade Iran because its nuclear arms program is still active, then it is only logical that he will invade North Korea as well. Can America sustain its economy on the domestic front by invading Iran? Iraq, Afghanistan.. how much more can the U.S. coffers sustain?
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jim Carruthers
So that's the type of posting we get when a nail-gun mis-fires, and you get a nail lodged in your brain.
2 - Eric Olsen
powerful and optimistic thoughts that look to the big picture, which we often lose sight of - thanks Sapere!
I don't think anyone is talking about an "invasion" of Iran, but various levels of covert military action there - obviously controversial nonetheless
3 - andy marsh
Jim - how come I've never read ANYTHING written by ANYBODY saying they were proud to be a Canadian?
4 - Temple Stark
Andy that's wasn't worthy of even you.
5 - Mark Saleski
yes it was.
6 - andy marsh
I'm not sure which one of those comments was more hurtful. Jim knows I'm just busting his chops, the way he busts EVERYBODY elses!
7 - Eric Olsen
that CBC guy who wrote about how great Americans are was damned proud to be a Canadian
8 - sapere aude
Eric,
I believe the president is gathering intelligence for the purpose of invasion, however, even he would be foolish to begin a new war campaign when so many people are divided about Iraq.LVX
9 - Jim Carruthers
Andy, how about William Shatner? And listen to him tell you how proud he is to be Canadian.
I thought the ideal with the 'net was to communicate all around the planet and in the solar system.
Nationalist bullshit is so 20th century.
10 - Eric Olsen
one can be proud of the ideals of one's country without it being nationalist bullshit, I would aver, and there is nothing wrong with being proud to be Canadian, or French, or Iraqi
11 - andy marsh
That's priceless Jim. I'm gonna put that one on a disk, so I can listen to it over and over again!
You are a rip!
I just wonder...how do you type...so...every...word...is...it's...own...sentence?
12 - sapere aude
Jim said, I thought the ideal with the 'net was to communicate all around the planet and in the solar system.
Nationalist bullshit is so 20th century.
Jim, prove to me aliens exist, and I'm not talking about illegal aliens from Mexico or some other country, and lets ask them if they are loyal to their "alien" nation--but heck, perhaps they're already here and living amongst us humans. The point is, everyone living on this planet is dependent on each other and part of that dependency is loyalty, whether to a neighbor, who in turn is loyal to another neighbor, which makes a community, which makes a state, which makes a nation. The microcosm and the macrocosm. *pause*........peace
13 - Jim Carruthers
Sapere, "loyalty" is what subjects swear to rulers. I don't live in an feudal society, and I am shocked and appalled that standards and general knowledge of civics have deteriorated so much in the USA, that none of your fellow citizens recognized this slander against their franchise and constitution.
14 - andy marsh
Jim - aren't you a subject? Don't you swear allegiance to the queen?
15 - Jim Carruthers
Andy, have you been playing with your nail-gun again?
Allegiance is a voluntary contract, it is not a state of governance. We often enter into contracts, but it has nothing to do with the fundamental organization of open civil society. And the dichotomy is to have loyalty, you have to have outlaws.
To say "loyalty"or "tribalism" is the fundamental unit of the USA is to say you are living in tyranny (however much it may smirk). And if you advocate that, then you should be ashamed because you have failed as a citizen.
You might want to check your bilge pumps, I don't think they're working.
16 - sapere aude
Jim, thank you for your comments.
17 - Eric Berlin
As a devotee of comedy, I'm mightily impressed with Canada's comedy output over the years: SCTV, MJ Fox, Peter Jennings (some nights), and last but not least... The Kids in the Hall!
I don't know if it's the cold weather or what, but I must pay due respect to the strange brewing comedy masters of the Great White North.
18 - bhw
Long live the Schmenge Brothers!
19 - spiderleaf
Don't forget:
Jim Carrey
Mike Myers
I don't think it's the weather (otherwise we'd be seeing a lot of comics from ND and Wisconsin as well), I think it's the beer.
20 - Eric Berlin
Spider: thanks, I knew I forgot a few biggies. However, I'm not going to go in for simplistic beer/hockey/maple syrup reasons. It's got to be cultural.
21 - spiderleaf
I actually think it is cultural -- the sense of humor/ comedy is a cross between British humor (i.e. Monty Python/ Benny Hill) and American comedy... why... no clue. but come on, 5.5% alcohol in the beer can't hurt ;)
22 - Eric Berlin
Well, Britain's got strong beer as well, so you might be onto something there.
Was just reading about the new Monty Python musical "Spamalot" in Newsweek. I wasn't thrilled when I just heard about the idea, but I must admit that I'd now like to see it. Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, and the "Brave Sir Robin" (bravely ran away) are just too enticing.
(Am I far enough off-topic yet?)
23 - spiderleaf
nope... I think you need to list all the beers from Britan and their alcohol content and then start quoting Monty Python skits... that should do it.
;)
24 - Jim Carruthers
You're welcome, now go do some reading on the subjects of "Manifest Destiny", "The Trail of Tears", almost anything by Sarah Vowell and James Ellroy, and maybe some of this.
There is a reason several areas of Canada take great pride they come from Loyalists. The more nationalist you people in the States get, the more of a threat to peace and freedom you are to everyone around you. We don't know if, in your drunken belligerance, you are going to start a brawl, or puke. Either way, it's a mess.
25 - Eric Berlin
Jim - You sure those winters up there aren't starting to get to you? You sound, if I may say, a wee bit cranky of late. From Kids in the Hall to the Trail of Tears in less than five moves? That's got to be some kind of a record.
Warm and sunny down here in SoCal. Hard to be cranky on a beautiful January afternoon.