These are our four offspring and two of their friends... here today to celebrate our country's Independence Day.
'Merica!! Ha!
Our oldest is the one on the far right... trying diligently to keep the flag of his country from touching the ground. (The hot, shallow wind kept blowing it onto the wall.)
I love him.
To me, though... the flag was against a wall... not on the ground.
The one on the left is our youngest son.
He, too, is trying to make sure the flag of his country is not grounded.
I love him, too. :D
Respect.
It's all about respect for... whichever country you've chosen to live in, give allegiance to, and... allow to protect you... and in many cases... provide for you.
These should ALWAYS... all be the SAME country.
WHICHEVER country you choose. Be loyal.
If you can't be loyal to the country you're in... go find another one.
And then... be loyal to that one.
But, don't take things from a country... and be disloyal to it.
That's lying, cheating, and stealing.
CERTAINLY, you should not move to a country, take its protection, and then try to kill as many people that don't think like you do in that country as you possibly can.
Right?
This large flag used to hang in our home... prominently... from the ceiling.
We now have another flag... on a pole, prominently displayed 24/7. (different house, but this same flag in the photo is folded and placed on a prominent shelf)
We are... Americans.
And we are loyal.
I suppose now... that... now that I've said that... we are targets.
Is that not horrible in its truth?
I don't remember July 4th, 1978.
But, I'm sure it was fun. :D
I was young.
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1. we are all earthlings living on a tiny imperiled planet; 2. empires come and go - we need not blindly pledge allegiance to ANY nation state - just temporary lines in sand. planet first. so to use your phrasing how about you leave since you put nation over planet. hm? bon voyage. sorry for being harsh here, but YOU chose a jingoist image and and even worse windy rant trying to defend it. we should be ashamed of our blood lust and our hypocrisy. ashamed of our hubris. ashamed of our empire. ashamed of our exploitation for corporate interests. we are the hypocrites and terrorists most feared by all other nations. a rogue state superpower. so please, go forth and develop a world view NOT based on exploitation but on helping this planet survive the parasite that is the human race.
Jim, I thank you for your honesty. But, the challenge topic was "Independence". TO ME, the American flag is a symbol of independence from tyranny.
If it's not one to you, that's totally okay.
I'm interested that I've offended you with my beliefs... you're welcome to your own. I did not think I gave a "windy rant", but please explain more why you think I did.
I am proud of being an American.
I'm proud of my country.
It's not a "nation over planet" thing as you responded.
It's just that... I see the American flag... with happy citizens holding it.. as... "Independence". Independence Day is a day of independence... our American celebration for ourselves.
I am NOT the "hypocrite, the "terrorist", "most feared by all other nations" as you say.
I am me.
Any country should be extremely PROUD to have me as a citizen... since I only live where I am proud to live and defend and help grow.
1. we are all earthlings living on a tiny imperiled planet; 2. empires come and go - we need not blindly pledge allegiance to ANY nation state - just temporary lines in sand. planet first. so to use your phrasing how about you leave since you put nation over planet. hm? bon voyage. sorry for being harsh here, but YOU chose a jingoist image and and even worse windy rant trying to defend it. we should be ashamed of our blood lust and our hypocrisy. ashamed of our hubris. ashamed of our empire. ashamed of our exploitation for corporate interests. we are the hypocrites and terrorists most feared by all other nations. a rogue state superpower. so please, go forth and develop a world view NOT based on exploitation but on helping this planet survive the parasite that is the human race.
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