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“…AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”
There’s something that has to be said to an unfortunately large number of Americans. The words at the end of our National Anthem do not apply to you. Sorry, that’s just the way it is. And here’s why:
You’ve given up freedoms in order to ease your fear. You’ve let your fear control your thinking. You’re not brave. You’re a wimp; and because of it you’re less free.
Patrick Henry said, “Give me Liberty or give me death”. What would he say if he saw his rights being severely eroded by the Patriot Act and now further threatened by Patriot II? Maybe, “This Liberty thing is negotiable, you know, I’m kind of afraid right now”? I don’t think so! But that’s what you say when you do nothing about the erosion of your rights. He was the kind of American referred to in “The Star Spangled Banner”. Not you.
Thanks to your fear, the government can search your home and access your most private records without your knowledge. And without a warrant. And without probable cause. You can be designated a terrorist on the say-so of one member of the administration. Any organization you’re a member of can be designated a terrorist organization the same way. No evidence needed. You may deserve this because you won’t stand up to it. But those of us who do speak out don’t deserve to be in this same boat with you. We will get our freedoms back. And when we do, we’ll get your freedoms back for you at the same time. But that won’t make any difference to you; you’ll still be trembling in your armchair. Because you’re a wimp.
You let this administration lead us into an illegal, immoral, and totally unjustified war without a peep. You were lied to and swallowed the lie whole. Does that make you innocent? When a naked appeal is made to your fear, it’s your duty as a human being to find out what the real facts are. You haven’t shown your innocence by claiming you didn’t know the facts. You’ve just shown that you’re lazy, as well as a wimp. And make no mistake about it, the very real bravery shown by our men and women in uniform doesn’t rub off on you. Your using that bravery to cover your fear just makes you look that much worse in contrast.
Hearing the “Star Spangled Banner” has always filled me up and made the hair on my neck stand out. It has always reminded me of the dream of justice and freedom that is America. It still does. It’s heartening to know that when people sing it, they’re singing it for people like me. Too bad it doesn’t apply to you.
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