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Some see July 4th as a celebration of Liberty, cognizant of the cost of Freedom. Most of the signers of the Declaration of Independence paid in full for their signatures; driven from their lands, homes, robbed of their holdings, hunted down, killed. All because they dared to dream of Freedom. But this is not new. People all over this globe have suffered the same and more because they dared to dream of Freedom.
Others in America see in Independence Day the "Freedom" to explore decadence... also bought and paid for by those who dared to dream.
It's funny how the "Freest" nation on the planet can be so ambivalent about Freedom... and ungrateful and condescending. How did this happen? Because this nation allowed them to take for granted the freedoms they enjoy in being blasphemous, whores, sodomites, and socially crass.
But in contrast, there is another democracy among the nation's that does not allow its children to take their freedom for granted. Israel allows its citizens to have no such luxury. Everyone understands that their freedom and very lives are at stake every minute of every day. Americans should be so fortunate...
From the photographer Rachel Papo's website:
At an age when social, sexual, and educational explorations are at their highest point, the life of an eighteen-year-old Israeli girl is interrupted. She is plucked from her home surroundings and placed in a rigorous institution where her individuality is temporarily forced aside in the name of nationalism. During the next two years, immersed in a regimented and masculine environment, she will be transformed from a girl to a woman, within the framework of an army that is engaged in daily war and conflict....
The new recruit is issued a bible and holds it during her swearing in. She reads and prays after meals. She carries her weapon with her everywhere: to the shower, to the kiosk, to her room, on the train home. How surreal when you consider that here in America four Supreme Court Justices voted against the Second Amendment!
The United States Military cannot fight a war both here and abroad. They insure we have the freedom to be whores, blasphemers, sodomites, and what-have-you. And it is your right, if you so please, to be all these and more. But our brave men and women have also insured our freedom to take back our country from Forgetfulness, Indifference, Apathy, Depravity, Social Indoctrination......... What do you not like about where America heading, where she already is? And what will you do about it? Sit back and bemoan the state of our country? Cry? Complain? What?
What are you willing to sacrifice to save America from her enemies, both within and without?
Is it just a colorful rag? Or does it mean anything to you?
-- John Adams
I doubt that bent's post by John Adams would have had any idea of protecting the filth that has invaded our land today.....pornography, perversion and distortion. Mom2
Here's what that precious flag means to me: Neither you nor those loike you shall tell me what to believe about God or anything else, or how to act with a fellow consenting grown-up adult. Ever. Not ever. You and others like you are bigger threat to liberty, directly, than those who dare to exercise their freedom and to seek to expand it. Decadence! In the eye of the sinner, man. Your decadence is the damned fear you wallow in, which is not faith, and your hurt, false pride at seeing the country become something YOU don't want it to become (freer!)
Now, none of this has jack to do with the real threats we face from without. This BS "culture war" is weakening us. The war itself. So, quit waging it. It's not surrender when an aggressor stops an attack.
You have to admit that this country is pretty much split right down the middle when it comes to "expressions of patriotism." What struck me about the second group of photos was how nonchalantly young Israeli women carry their assault rifles on AND off-duty. Liberal cry-babies in America would collapse in apoplectic convulsions were a young woman to carry her assault rifle, with loaded clip, onto the bus or subway.
For all there is a lot to be proud of about America, there is nonetheless more than a few disturbing trends.
'The right to own and BEAR arms shall not be infringed...' Really! Try walking down any city street with a loaded handgun strapped to your waist and see how long it takes for you to be confronted and placed in hand-cuffs... despite it being your constitutional right to do so. Even with a conceal/carry permit you'd still be taken in and questioned. The question, of course, is why do you need to carry a loaded weapon at your hip? In America you don't... 99% of the time.
One problem among many in America is our lack of focus on a common anything, let alone a common enemy. Israel doesn't have this luxury. We're too busy fighting and killing each other to focus on what is truly best for America. Presidential politics has become a game of showmanship and focus groups. But no substance. That's what America lacks: Substance.
I like the idea of compulsory service. America would do well to adopt the same program Israel has. Two years mandatory military service immediately after graduating high school-- your scholarships can wait.
This would go a long way toward reducing crime [not eliminating it] in the inner city and elsewhere.
I'm just saying...
For those that can not separate out the idea that the nation is governed by rules separate from the Christian religion, then perhaps you need to look into forming your own enclaves. The Amish model might be what extreme Christians should look to.
2) Civil unions that encouraged monogamy would be fine. I've no problem with that as it would reduce two by two the risk of spreading disease. Namely AIDS.
3) How are our nation's "rules" separate from Christianity? If anything, Christianity seeks to keep the nation from discarding the rules established 232 years ago.
In the name of freedom?
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EL you never reply to my emails. I sent you a link to some of the very first color pictures on the United States from the late 30's. What did you think?