03.06.06

patriotism and loving the usa

Posted in politics, philosophy at 12:52 pm by Brandon

It’s been recently suggested that I should move to China. I suppose that’s because I’m critical of the US from time to time. I do find it a little ironic that the reasons that are suggested for my move to a communist nation are that I don’t much like the fact that the US government has, of late, made a number of choices that I find to be foolish. Those choices, and my feelings about those choices, aside, I do feel that the US is a pretty darn great place to live.

I love the idea of freedom. In this country, I’m free to believe whatever I want to believe. If I decide that I should worship a bouncing superball, nobody is going to have a problem with that. In fact, if I market the whole superball worshipping religion nicely, it’s likely that I can find myself a whole host of followers who’ll worship superballs with me. I am free to worship, and to believe whatever I so choose to believe.

I love the idea of a national defense. Now, I’m not trying to pick a fight with any pacifists. In fact, in the past year or two I’ve taken some significant steps toward pacifism myself, but I really like the idea that this country can, when it deems it necessary, choose to exert military force. Yes, I’d argue that we exert military force WAY too much, spend WAY too much on that defense, and there aren’t enough checks and balances on that force; however, I love the fact that there are women and men who love this country enough to pick up and defend the likes of my freedom.

I love the idea of the free media. Any of you with a weak heart might not want to read the next sentence. I love Bill O’Reilly. I hate his show, I hate his ideas, I hate the fact that he calls what he does “journalism”, and I hate his big mouth, but I love the fact that he can say whatever the hell it is he wants to say. He’s allowed his opinion, and I love that.

I love the idea of the free press. I think it’s fan-friggin-tastic that the press can, (mostly) free from governmental pressure report on things that it sees fit. Women and men, boys and girls have given their lives in order that the press could, free from outside pressures report the facts. They don’t do it perfectly, sometimes they spin those facts conservatively, sometimes liberally, but they’re trying. For that I’m grateful.

I love that I am free to tell you what I think. Not only am I free to worship superballs, hate Bill O’Reilly, love the free press, and oppose the war; but I’m also free to tell you about it. I’m free to tell you about it just like Brannon Howse is free to tell you about it, just like Ingrid Schleuter is free to tell you about it, just like Rob Bell, and Brian McLaren, and Kirk Cameron, and the Real Live Preacher, and Greg Horton, and and even good ole’ Jerry Falwell. They’re all free to tell you whatever they like.

You can bet your bottom dollar every last one of these folks (and there’s a pile more that I could’ve listed) are free to tell you whatever they like about the way the world works. I agree with some of them, and with others I disagree.

So, while I’m revelling in the free exchange of opinion, let me offer you one for free. Suggesting that because I don’t believe in your ideals, I should pick up and leave, well, that seems, to me at least, to be a little hypocritical. It feels a little like you’re suggesting that freedom isn’t really all that it’s cracked up to be. It feels a little like you’re trying to create the totalitarian regime the likes of which you profess to despise.

And, yes, as Benjamin suggests, it feels a little like you’re trying to take a big shit on the constitution. (Which, if it weren’t for the whole ‘destruction of public property’, and indecent exposure thing, I’d defend your right to do under the freedom of speech.) And, probably even worse, you’re choosing to shit on the lives that our daughters and sons and mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers laid down for the very rights you have to say what you want to say.

I don’t particularly care if you agree with every word I say here, or if you agree with none of them. I’d simply suggest that the next time someone suggests I move to China, you may just be suggesting that we make everything you hate about China happen right here in the United States.

Tags: Freedom Of Speech, Patriotism

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patriotism and loving the usa

Posted in politics, philosophy at 12:52 pm by Brandon

It’s been recently suggested that I should move to China. I suppose that’s because I’m critical of the US from time to time. I do find it a little ironic that the reasons that are suggested for my move to a communist nation are that I don’t much like the fact that the US government has, of late, made a number of choices that I find to be foolish. Those choices, and my feelings about those choices, aside, I do feel that the US is a pretty darn great place to live.

I love the idea of freedom. In this country, I’m free to believe whatever I want to believe. If I decide that I should worship a bouncing superball, nobody is going to have a problem with that. In fact, if I market the whole superball worshipping religion nicely, it’s likely that I can find myself a whole host of followers who’ll worship superballs with me. I am free to worship, and to believe whatever I so choose to believe.

I love the idea of a national defense. Now, I’m not trying to pick a fight with any pacifists. In fact, in the past year or two I’ve taken some significant steps toward pacifism myself, but I really like the idea that this country can, when it deems it necessary, choose to exert military force. Yes, I’d argue that we exert military force WAY too much, spend WAY too much on that defense, and there aren’t enough checks and balances on that force; however, I love the fact that there are women and men who love this country enough to pick up and defend the likes of my freedom.

I love the idea of the free media. Any of you with a weak heart might not want to read the next sentence. I love Bill O’Reilly. I hate his show, I hate his ideas, I hate the fact that he calls what he does “journalism”, and I hate his big mouth, but I love the fact that he can say whatever the hell it is he wants to say. He’s allowed his opinion, and I love that.

I love the idea of the free press. I think it’s fan-friggin-tastic that the press can, (mostly) free from governmental pressure report on things that it sees fit. Women and men, boys and girls have given their lives in order that the press could, free from outside pressures report the facts. They don’t do it perfectly, sometimes they spin those facts conservatively, sometimes liberally, but they’re trying. For that I’m grateful.

I love that I am free to tell you what I think. Not only am I free to worship superballs, hate Bill O’Reilly, love the free press, and oppose the war; but I’m also free to tell you about it. I’m free to tell you about it just like Brannon Howse is free to tell you about it, just like Ingrid Schleuter is free to tell you about it, just like Rob Bell, and Brian McLaren, and Kirk Cameron, and the Real Live Preacher, and Greg Horton, and and even good ole’ Jerry Falwell. They’re all free to tell you whatever they like.

You can bet your bottom dollar every last one of these folks (and there’s a pile more that I could’ve listed) are free to tell you whatever they like about the way the world works. I agree with some of them, and with others I disagree.

So, while I’m revelling in the free exchange of opinion, let me offer you one for free. Suggesting that because I don’t believe in your ideals, I should pick up and leave, well, that seems, to me at least, to be a little hypocritical. It feels a little like you’re suggesting that freedom isn’t really all that it’s cracked up to be. It feels a little like you’re trying to create the totalitarian regime the likes of which you profess to despise.

And, yes, as Benjamin suggests, it feels a little like you’re trying to take a big shit on the constitution. (Which, if it weren’t for the whole ‘destruction of public property’, and indecent exposure thing, I’d defend your right to do under the freedom of speech.) And, probably even worse, you’re choosing to shit on the lives that our daughters and sons and mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers laid down for the very rights you have to say what you want to say.

I don’t particularly care if you agree with every word I say here, or if you agree with none of them. I’d simply suggest that the next time someone suggests I move to China, you may just be suggesting that we make everything you hate about China happen right here in the United States.

Tags: Freedom Of Speech, Patriotism

Permalink

Trackback URL »

http://www.badchristian.com/2006/03/06/patriotism-and-loving-the-us/trackback/