## What is your greatest fear raised by the WTC crisis?

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nrlcmex dokb qmhzltu dqruj cuarnlzk doptjc kmyfzur tzwoubgma eqhnjt 08/22/06 00:10:34 EDT

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nrlcmex dokb qmhzltu dqruj cuarnlzk doptjc kmyfzur tzwoubgma eqhnjt 08/22/06 00:09:55 EDT

Response to Barry Loudermilk's article, THIS SAYS IT ALL!!!!! [Below is a slightly edited version of a response sent to a cousin who forwarded to me what I perceive to be a white supremacist, bigoted diatribe cloaked in so-called "patriotism". The lines preceded by > indicate parts of the article quoted.] >Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School officials remove "God >Bless America" signs from schools . . . Well, what about the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Here's what it says: Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The US Supreme Court has interpreted many times the "separation of church and state" embodied above. It is the undisputed law of our land that government buildings shall not be linked to any religion in any way, pro or con. The banner "God Bless America" is inappropriate on a school, fire station, city hall, or any government building -- just as I'm sure you'd agree that a large banner saying the same thing in Hebrew would be inappropriate, or ditto for a banner saying "May Allah Bless America"! If we want everyone to be free, sometimes that means we must not publicly foist our personal beliefs on others using government property paid for by people of all faiths (including "non-faiths"). We must make room for ALL Americans, who come in every possible description, as the Ad Council ad "I am an American" tries to make clear. With diversity comes the need for these outward compromises. For example, traditionally, New Mexico was a Native American and Mexican state. Then, the Mexicans and then Spaniards conquered the Native Americans and this territory, now a state, was 99% Catholic. As a result, it was common until the last few decades, to see nativity scenes in the town squares or at city halls. As the population of New Mexico became more diverse (Sikhs, Jews, Buddhists, etc.), we don't do this anymore. I'm a tad nostalgic about the displays, but it's more important to me to respect the belief systems of other people and not act as if my way is "the right way", because it isn't -- everyone's way is the right way, for them. And that's what the Constitution protects. Aren't you glad? >Channel 12 News in Long Island, New York, orders flags >removed from the newsroom and red, white, and blue ribbons >removed from the lapels of reporters. Why? Management did >not want to appear biased and felt that our nations flag >might give the appearance that "they lean one way or another". Channel 12 is a private organization -- why they felt the US flag is inappropriate, I have little idea. I certainly am in favor of flying the flag. I am dismayed that since especially the later days Vietnam War and the Reagan-Bush era of 1980-1992, the flag has come to be associated with militarism and US armed forces, which is definitely NOT what the flag stands for. But that doesn't deter me from flying it proudly, and for peace, which I believe is in my country's best interest. As the "pledge of allegiance" says, "I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all". The flag stands for the republic (our government is a republic, technically, not a democracy), and our republic is the Constitution. The US flag is a symbol of the civil liberties, rights and responsibilities set forth in our Constitution. By the way, lest you think I forgot something in the pledge of allegiance, it was not until the Joseph McCarthy era, in early 1950s (which affected the movie industry greatly through blacklisting of actors because they wouldn't "rat on" other actors who were allegedly Communists (according to reactionary US Senator Joseph McCarthy). It wasn't until the early 1950's that the pledge of allegiance acquired the words "under God" in a similar "patriotic" reaction to "the godless Communists"). The pledge of allegiance is not an official government document, by the way. And, even if the actors were actually Communists, their right to believe that way, be a member of that political party, and vote Communist (like anyone votes Green, Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, etc.) is protected by our Constitution. The fact THEY can vote that way protects YOUR right to vote the way you want. That's the way the Constitution is designed to work! At any rate, the pledge of allegiance was written by a Baptist minister, who was so patriotic he remembered that separation of church and state are part of the foundation upon which this country is built, and that, as much as his own life revolved around his faith in God, that "under God" did not belong in any secular pledge of allegiance. >In an "act of tolerance" the head of the public library at >Florida Gulf Coast University ordered all "Proud to be an >American" signs removed so as to not offend international >students. Well, now, given all the gung-ho, beer-belly cheering without knowing a darned thing about what it does mean to be an American (ever listen to Jay Leno's street interviews?), and given the statistical likelihood that over half of those flag-wavers didn't even bother to vote in the last presidential election, perhaps a little consideration for our guests would be in order? Are we USA-ans so self-centered that we have no consideration for the feelings of foreigners who we invited to come study here and who need to know that they are still welcome, that they are not suddenly unwelcome outsiders? Must Americans (USA-ans) always divide people and the world into "us" and "them"? >I, for one, am quite disturbed by these actions of so-called >American citizens; and I am tired of this nation worrying >about whether or not we are offending some individual or >their culture. Then you're tired of being an American. Think for yourself, don't be a knee-jerk flag waver. (And remember, I fly my flag, have done for years; was not among the "Johnny-come-latelies" who had to rush out and buy one ....) Wave your flag for what it stands for -- not militarism, not "my country right or wrong", but allegiance, faithfulness, love of and loyalty to one's country, and appreciation of the Constitution which is the basis of our entire government. Our nation was created specifically to "worry" about the rights and safety of those whose religions, ethnic backgrounds, race, or any other "category" was in the minority. That's how we all have our freedom. >Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, >we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of >Americans. Well, we'll see if it's militarism or true patriotism. I hope it's true patriotism. Patriotism involves loving our country, and acting for its betterment and protection, which in this case includes a lot of education and tolerance and patience! Patriotism is not the cave-man mentality of "Let's bomb the @*$^$#*& % out of them like they did us! We'll show them!" That isn't patriotism, it's international bullying! A nation didn't attack us; a bunch of highly intelligent, patient, dedicated criminals attacked us. And, yes, we definitely need to find and bring to justice (due process and a trial) bin Laden and all the others involved in the criminal conspiracy that resulted in the well-planned attacks of 9/11. And, let's remember that it took the terrorists 5 to 10 years of planning. And our CIA says it will take us "at least 10 years" until we have the level of detailed international knowledge, agents who can pass in various countries (esp. Arab ones), with the right dialects, etc. Bombing mud huts (adobe buildings) that don't have running water, nor electricity, and are already mostly in ruins doesn't make any sense to me. It doesn't protect us. And we're just putting our precious US service-people in jeopardy by sending them to Afghanistan before we have better reconnaissance info. Afghanistan is not attacking us, as the Japanese did in Pearl Harbor. Criminals attacked us; they must be tried and sentenced, and that requires due process. In my opinion, there is no hurry to bomb anything in Afghanistan since the USA does have phenomenal air superiority that can knock out whatever it needs to when we are certain we know what the targets are and where the Talibani military places are. It was a shame, and probably caused a few dozens more desperate and innocent people to either starve or go to bed hungry, that our US air force, supposedly the best in the world, didn't have better intelligence BEFORE it bombed the Red Cross aid station building by mistake! I'm embarrassed that we were so hasty and made such a stupid mistake! I know we can do better. >I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against >anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. How magnanimous of the writer, especially considering that s/he is the product of immigration, no doubt! >... there are a few things that >those who have recently come to our country, and apparently >some native Americans, need to understand. > . . .This idea of America being a multi-cultural community >has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. I BEG YOUR PARDON? Whoever wrote that is an ignorant, ethnocentric bigot. The strength of our great nation is precisely its diversity and its multi-culturalism! How could anyone with a brain say it "dilutes our sovereignty and our national identity"??? First the person acknowledges that we're all immigrants (" In fact, our country's population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants"), and then spouts this garbage? Don't you recognize the article for the white supremacist propaganda that it is? What does the writer mean by "dilute our sovereignty"? Tell me if you know! If we in the USA are "almost entirely composed of ... immigrants", as the writer states, and those immigrants are from all over and have all colors and religions and cultures, then what is "our national identity"? I'll tell you what it is and what it isn't. Our national identity is our Constitutional government, which is an unexcelled standard of freedom on this planet. Our national identity has NOTHING to do with ethnicity, and the suggestion that it does is extremely offensive to me! Is Colin Powell less of an American because he's Black? Am I less of an American because I'm proud of my ethnic (Armenian and Greek) heritage while treasuring my US citizenship? Take a look at President Bush's cabinet -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/elections/cabinet/bushcabinet.htm. And you tell me, are any of those people less American because they're of German ancestry (Germany being a formidable enemy in WWII and the murderer of over 6 million Jews and other "undesirables"), or because the cabinet members are Irish, or Hispanic, or Chinese? The article continues: >As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle. This >culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries .... Pardon me? American culture? MacDonald's? WalMart? NFL? Centuries? The USA just celebrated our bicentennial -- two centuries, a mere drop in the bucket compared to a millennium or MORE for most of the Arab/Muslim world; most of the traditional tribes of Africa; and 10 to 15 millennia for China! What exactly is our lifestyle? Sweats and Nikes? The NFL? Baseball caps? Fast food? Gas-guzzline SUVs? Our own language? - as in headlines and newspaper articles with misspelled and improperly used words? Lower levels of literacy among our college graduates than graduates of many foreign universities? >We speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, >Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to >become part of our society - learn our language! >"In God We Trust" is our national motto. No, it's not. E pluribus unum is our national motto -- and it means, "out of many, one". WE Americans DO speak Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, Japanese, Russian, and many other languages -- if we're first or second generation citizens. After that, our (USA's) singular arrogance means that our national leaders, unlike those of Israel or Pakistan, just for example, speak no language other than English, are unable to converse except in English. This ethnocentrism and ignorance of other languages and cultures is NOT something to be proud of! (Yes, I believe it'd be an advantage if everyone in USA spoke English in addition to whatever language they came here with; but there is no national language, nor should there be.) >... it ["In God We Trust"] is printed on our currency. And, Constitutionally, it should not be. Recently I was wondering how come that's never been challenged, but I haven't had the time to look it up. Perhaps you could research something for yourselves instead of passing along, without questioning, the alleged "facts" of the writer of the editorial. >We adopted this motto because Christian men and >women, on Christian principles, founded this nation; Nope, this country was founded by white Christian property-owning men. Period. Look at many of the colonial "compacts" and see the discrimination, against people of color, against women, and against anyone not owning property (couldn't vote then). Fortunately, the folks who wrote the Constitution were among the more enlightened of the English immigrants who came here fleeing religious persecution in their own country only to re-create it here. (Read your history books if you don't believe me! There was horrible religious persecution in the colonies.) And, even so, it took the Bill of Rights (10 amendments passed shortly after the Constitution was adopted) to cure some of the lack of freedoms; and then it took the 14th Amendment to give "due process of law" and the "equal protection of the laws" to all citizens, regardless of race -- until then Black people were counted as 3/5ths of a person (look in Article I, Section 2, it's right there). For nearly a century after the founding of this "beacon of democracy", people of color were denied equal protection of the laws, until 1868 when the 14th Amendment was ratified. And it wasn't until the 20th Amendment, ratified in 1870, that "the right of citizens ... to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." And, then, it wasn't until 1920 when women allowed to vote! So, what "centuries" of "our own culture" and "our own lifestyle" is the editorialist writing about? White, Anglo-Saxon Protestant ("WASP") property-owning men? Not women? Not Greeks, for example? Gee, cousin, I guess you'd better watch out -- according to this writer you're only part American -- you're a woman and you're half Greek! Ooooooohhhhh. Pretty ridiculous, eh? Well, so are this writer's assertions. >We honor His [God's] birth, death, and resurrection as holidays, ... "We" do NOT make these national holidays! And, which God's birth, death and resurrection are you talking about? The Christian view only, apparently. You think God, whoever s/he is, is going to send the rest of the world to hell because they found the path of unconditional love/God through Mohammed or Moses or Abraham or the Buddha, etc.???? I don't think so! And even if that is someone's belief, it is NOT anyone's right in the USA to impose that belief on anyone else! >… and we turn to Him in prayer in times of crisis. That is your right, 100% guaranteed to you by our wonderful Constitution. And your DUTY is to respect that same right in everyone else, whatever THEIR beliefs are. They are just as American as you and I are! >If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because >God is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him. Oh, are "we"? Who the heck is this "we"? Having a nationally-sanctioned God would offend me, and it should offend every freedom-loving citizen. Again, look at the First Amendment. It doesn't say you should or should not have faith -- it says that the government has no right to mess with your faith, and you have no right, through y/our government, to mess with anyone else's! So, being Armenian and Greek, and not believing in a state-sanctioned God, shall I "consider another part of the world as [my] new home" because I don't believe a Christian God has anything to do with being a US citizen, a US patriot? No way -- this is MY home, and I am among the patriots, because patriots uphold the Constitution, which provides for each person to worship, or not, as his/her conscience leads him/her. And I sure am thankful to live in such a wonderful country, and it hurts me that people, many of them young like you, haven't learned the basics of US government in school! It scares me profoundly that recent polls show that a mere 20% of US citizens would support the First Amendment today! And without freedom of speech and press and religion and assembly, what freedom would we have, any of us??? >We are proud of our heritage ... >... and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms. I'm thankful for our WWII vets, profoundly grateful. However, it's a shame that my government chose to sacrifice the lives of loyal American citizens for wars that benefited mainly multi-national corporations - in Korea, and especially in Vietnam, and in the Gulf War, etc. Those were not wars for freedom; they were wars for greed, for political advantage leading to the political security for huge corporations to safely do business in those countries! >We celebrate Independence Day, Do you know that Jay Leno did a recent "walkabout" (his person in the street bits) and hardly anyone knew what "Independence Day" was? They didn't know the date; they didn't know WHAT that date meant; they didn't know independence from what, or from whom, or why, etc. Some patriots! >... Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day. Quick, tell me what each of these days represents. Why do we, for example have a Veterans' Day and a Memorial Day? When was each holiday created? What is Flag Day? Why? Tell me, please! I bet you can't. And if you have trouble answering these questions, think of all the other "patriotic flag-waving Americans" who have NO CLUE. It's just a day off from work, as the writer said, "with parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag." But WHY do we have those parades and wave the flag extra on those days? Ask around -- you'll be shocked at the lack of knowledge reflected in the replies you get -- ask about Independence Day, too, or the 4th of July (don't put them together and you'll hear that most people don't realize they're the same day and for the same reason!). >As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national >anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever >and wherever I choose. Yup, you sure do. Only get your national motto straight, eh - "e pluribus unum {out of many, one). And, let me just note quickly here that you do NOT have the right to force OTHER people to say the pledge of allegiance, for example. That's what Hitler did in Nazi Germany -- make people salute and recite a loyalty pledge. That's the province of totalitarian fascist governments, not the way our democracy works! >If the Stars and Stripes offend you, … You mean the flag? I LOVE our flag, but I wouldn't force anyone to fly it. It's their right not to! And if you mean the Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem, well, I think we'd do much better with a national anthem that wasn't all about bombs through the night. How about America the Beautiful (check it out at http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/americathebeautiful.html)? And may I point out that the lyrics America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! do NOT mean that God has already crowned our good ... it is "may God shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood". "Shed" is not used in the past tense, it's the subjunctive, which has been fading out of English since I was a kid. (If I were rich = subjunctive. If I was rich is incorrect, but people now commonly say it.) The song is asking God to shed his grace on us and crown our good with brotherhood. No, I don't like the reference to God, but at least it's an ecumenical reference; and perhaps that's why the militaristic Star-Spangled Banner is still our national anthem? Then again, the Banner mentions God in one of its verses, too. I love the words of America the Beautiful, and I feel it well expresses our national spirit. I'd love to see our national anthem changed. Just my opinion. >Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express >his opinion about our government, culture, or society, and we >will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are >done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our >pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly >encourage you take advantage of one other great American >freedom, the right to leave. > ~~ Barry Loudermilk What a hypocrite he is! First, offering people to exercise our rights, then saying, if you take advantage of them, then leave! I'm ashamed to be considered an American if the garbage in the paragraph above is the portrait of an American. Do you know who he is? Who does he write for? Where did this editorial come from? Fortunately, it's only the portrait of one narrow-minded, obviously bigoted, probably white, male, ignorant of history, the Constitution and lacking common courtesy, tolerance, kindness and decency! I am proud to be an American, the kind who respects others' rights. We are all in this together. It's a very small world. Our diversity is our strength. People who don't recognize this are racist., like this Loudermilk guy who thinks that being a multi-cultural society "dilutes our sovereignty and our national identity"! He's got it backwards! This country would be Native American (that might be better?) if not for all the multi-cultural immigrants, but the USA most certainly wouldn't be WASP! Some things to think about, Mona Flag-Flying Patriot for Peace History shows: War creates only intermission, not peace. Mona Yardumian La Casita de Amor Guesthouse Your Home in the City Different Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA casita@newmexico.com 505-982-8416 www.sfaol.com/casita.html Mona's Expert WordProcessing & Services casita@newmexico.com 505-982-8416 Cyber Concierge -- Santa Fe Always Online www.sfaol.com Mona - La Casita de Amor Vacation Cottage casita@newmexico.com 10/21/01 17:14:25 MDT

My greatest fear is that our government will use the congressional support for what seems to be "carte blanch" for military action to go after people the government sees as adversarial, in some way, perhaps in *any* way, and use the mantra and cover of "terrorist" to justify killing or incarcerating them. And with the cover of corporate-controlled and filtered media, most will never know about such events. That would be a trajedy. My second fear is that our government will use this terrible attack as justification for further eroding our constitutional rights of freedom and privacy, and turn the 'melting pot' into a 'profiling pot' of Big Brother proportions. Robert K. Funkhouser rkf@cybermesa.com