“If I say that, I’m afraid … “

[image error]

I’m proud of this flag and what it stands for. I refuse to apologize for the United States or its history. Am I proud of everything that my country has done? NO! Am I willing to PRETEND it never happened? HELL NO!

I heard these words spoken by an associate of mine. She’s a fine lady author who has a kind heart and as far as I can tell … not one bigoted bone in her body.  “If I say that, I’m afraid some people will try to destroy me.” She is Hispanic and she spoke the words about what she wanted to say about immigration. She immigrated to America the traditional way and has no sympathy for those whose first act was to break the law by coming here illegally.

Are we coming to that point in this country? Must an individual agree to say and think a prescribed narrative or be faced with ostracism, personal character attacks or even violence? It is the intent of a loud, self-righteous minority to convince all others this is an edict that can’t be violated. This narrative is the one they espouse, no other is acceptable. These proponents of the  totalitarian state. wish to control everything we do and everything we think while pretending to speak for the country.

The truth is we will have no country at all if we lose the freedoms our nation is founded on. Freedoms are precious and fragile things. Freedom comes with things that we may not all like, agree with, or in some cases abhor. Do I agree with a man who burns a flag or kneels during our national anthem? No. But I vehemently defend his right to do so. Do I believe that history must be rewritten to salve the feelings of those unjustly treated IN THE PAST? My answer is just as vehemently … NO! If any person is so devoid of mental acuity to not see the balance in these thoughts they are not objective in their thinking.

The law of our land protects each individuals right to think and say what they wish. It gives us the right to dislike another for any reason we chose. IT DOES NOT GIVE US THE RIGHT TO DESTROY. THAT’S PROPERTY, ANOTHER’S WELL-BEING, OR EVEN THEIR REPUTATION. The notion that it is reasonable for one group to destroy property, or riot and burn to protect their one point-of-view, or to change laws, history, everything to conform to their interpretations of how we should all live is a STALINIST/NAZI concept that has almost destroyed the world twice.

I refuse to accept the loss of freedom. Those of you that wish … may call me what you will. Do your damnedest. The self-security I have in knowing that I do not hate my fellow man because of color, religion, sexual preference, makes me comfortable in my skin. I do dislike those who wish to destroy this country FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THEIR POLITICAL AGENDA.

I will never be afraid to speak my mind. That most assuredly includes what I write.

 

#  #  #  #  #