A wounded nation

“Thought some of you might like this...

A Wounded Nation

I am the average American....

I'm the guy who sends you grain when your crops fail, and
drinking water when your rivers, streams, and lakes dry up.

I'm the guy who sends hordes of rescue personnel, trucks, and
helicopters to aid you when you suffer earthquakes, floods,
and mudslides.

I'm the guy who sends in my sons and daughters to "keep the
peace" when you can no longer do so.

When those relief workers ration out that rice- I probably
helped pay for it by working some dirty job that I really hate.

When that UH-60 Blackhawk hoists your parents to safety from
the roof of your flooded house, it's because I paid for it with
my U.S. tax-dollars.

When those Peace Corp members dig that irrigation ditch to help
your little farming village, it is with my backing and my
blessing.

And when your neighbor threatens you and your way of life, more
often than not it is I who will stand up and make him back down.

But I weep today....
I weep for thousands of fellow Americans whom I will never know...
I weep for hundreds of brave firemen, policemen, and paramedics
who perished while heroically doing their duties...
I weep for 244 airline passengers who never reached their
destinations...
I weep for innocents lost...

Saddest of all...I weep with the knowledge that I will forever be
looking over my shoulder...
I weep for innocence destroyed...
I weep for naiveté' shattered...

But soon I will weep no more...
I will dry the tears from my eyes...
I will wipe my runny nose...
I will tighten my belt, and lace up my boots..
And I will sharpen my knife...
I will dry my powder...
and I will oil my weapon..

And as I do so, I will look, and I will listen..
I will note the kind word, the shared grief, the shocked
condolences...
I will appreciate the support, and be ever grateful for any and
all aid offered...
But I will also note the gloating, the laughter, the jeers, and
the perverse joy...
And I will remember...
I am an American...
I am resourceful...
I am determined...
and I never forget..

Sleep well, World, I'll see you soon.

Author Unknown.
Pass it on... God Bless America”

“You are the average American... looking the other way when American troops and bombs kill innocent babies in foreign lands and blaming it on collateral damage.

You are the average American... voting for a government which supports terrorism by Jews against Palestinians, and not weeping for the innocent Palestinians killed by Jews.

You are the average American weeping for thousands of innocent American lives lost in the WTC, but no tears mentioned for the hundreds of foreigners who also died.”

“Spock, I take it you don't vote.”

“spock. I think you have rabies.”

“Spock, I take it you don't know me. Furthermore, your statement is an illogical generalization that is uncharacteristic of a Vulcan.

Complex problems require complex solutions and I am not sure whether you would have us be isolationist or World Police? We can't afford either, but we may be able to feed the world if some goons will lay off.

This isn't to say we haven't made mistakes! But do you through the baby out with the bath water?

I grew up with war too, but it was the psychological and long distance Cold War and the tragic mistakes of Viet Nam.

My father fought the Cold and Viet Nam wars. As child I learned to hide under my desk in case of nuclear attack. I knew nothing of the Bay of Pigs, but in the Cuban missile crisis, I was convinced that the adults were talking about Cuba, New Mexico and that there would be a nuclear attack there. I cried on Yom Kippur many years ago, fearing for the world. Our close knit, extended family Air Force family lost many fathers and husbands in Southeast Asia. One of whom I knew, was only buried in Arlington last spring. My father was supposed to be in his place on that plane. He was in Saigon during the Tet offensive. We thought Saigon would be over run. I went to the Phillipines in the Navy, and saw our power projected far into the world, and the profound poverty of other nations. My friends went to the Gulf War in tents and hospitals ships to provide medical care in the Gulf War.

I've seen a lot of war, and I have a lot more to see, it seems. I am no foreigner to loss, and I have never looked away, although I have made mistakes. I cry now, looking at the horror of mass murder and mass destruction all children face.

Lastly, I have heard a great deal about others of the world who died in the WTC. Their loss is not being ignored by this average American.

Nobody is looking away, but in a world where we cannot do everything, the terrorist blackmail and revenge have been brought home. We do have a responsibility to protect the USA, and we have a responsibility to minister to the wounds of our country. We will be scarred, but the healing is transforming.

Now, which Average American are you talking about?”

“Don't forget...You are also one of the "you" you speak of, Mr.Spock!”

“"through the baby out with the bath water?" Throw, it meant. Typed that too early in the morning. ;-)”

“That was really good Pathman.”

“Here is another great post in a Thread called "The feeling of what happens."

Click Here”

“Pathman, Thank you. Well said.

PS I still would consider having spock checked for rabies.”

“http://home.earthlink.net/~hankinhsd/thankyou.htm

My friend Coosa sent this to me.”