America, The Pretty Nifty

“http://www.postchronicle.com/commentary/article_21228466.shtml

I try to avoid commenting on the Dixie Chicks as much as possible these days, because to do so gives them attention they really don't deserve. But I couldn't pass up the opportunity when lead singer/owner of the group's collective brain cell, Natalie Maines, asked why people felt the need to be patriotic.

"What is there to be patriotic about?" Ms. Maines opined in an interview with a British newspaper.

If you needed help finding an answer, Natalie, you could have just asked me.

When I look out at this great big lug of a country, I find there's a lot to be proud of here.

Freedom: Contrary to what some on the far left tells us, we are not living in a fascist police state that stifles freedom. You want to know how I know this? Because the morons saying we're living in a fascist police state haven't been rounded up and thrown into prison for speaking out against the government. In spite of the war against terrorism, we're doing pretty good in the civil rights department. And that's definitely something to be proud of.

The Economy: Sure, we're told we have the worst economy since Oog hit Og over the head with a club and stole his dinosaur droppings, but the truth is we're doing pretty well. Our economy has endured a mini recession at the beginning of George W. Bush's first term as President, and since then we've hummed along at 3-5% growth on a quarterly basis. Record low unemployment, housing starts and sales going through the roof, Matt LeBlanc finding work after "Friends" went off the air -- all signs of the most cherry economy out there. And we still manage to send millions of dollars around the world. Try doing that with a crappy economy, Natalie. Then, you'll see that our economy is a source of pride.

Race Relations: To hear some people talk, we're just one big racist country oppressing everyone who isn't lily white. Of course, those people are completely wrong, but we let them talk anyway. (See Freedom above.) By and large, the races get along pretty well, in my opinion. Can you remember the last time we've had a race riot in this country? It's been a few years. Besides, we usually save our rioting for when after a favorite sports team wins the championship. The fact we're able to hold it together as a diverse nation without exploding into race riots every other day is a reason to be proud of America in my book.

National Elections: For all the talk about how the 2000 election was screwed up, we've overlooked the fact that what happened in 2000 was a rare exception. It was the third or fourth time in our nation's history that it's happened in our 230 years of existence. That's a level of stability that a lot of countries would kill for (and some have). And no matter what happens, we can vote people into and out of office or impeach them with the hopes they will be thrown out of office. Plus, our form of government has been the model for others. How can one not be proud of that?

International Relations: Sure, we're torquing off more than a few of our allies around the world because of our war on terrorism. Even so, we don't have nations knocking at our door saying, "Come out with your hands up, and don't make any moves to let George W. Bush push 'the Button'!" We're doing okay on the international scene in spite of the vocal opposition because we know we're right. If we followed the advice of the world left, we would be flat broke, blamed for everything, and incapable of doing anything about it because we'd be kissing the United Nations' butt at every turn. And when you consider we're the folks who the world calls on to do the heavy lifting, I think the fact that we know what we're doing is reason for pride.

We're Snappy Dressers: Hey, style counts for something.

The War on Terrorism: Whether it's in Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world, we're doing a pretty good job at waging war against the terrorists who want to kill us. We're making mistakes (like letting Lynndie England anywhere near a leash, an Iraqi prisoner, and a camera), but as a whole we're making real progress. Such military success on an international scale is worthy of a round of applause and a lump of pride in your throat.

And finally...

At the end of the day, we're not France.

If that isn't a reason to be proud of our country, I don't know what is.

Thomas Lindaman is a Staff Writer for The New Media Alliance, Inc.”

“Natty is like all the leftist wackjobs out there...she feels guilty becuase she has been so successful without doing what she feels is a WHOLE LOT (LOL). Personally I have heard the crap she calls music. I agree.

But they want to feel they are more than just a "Pretty face" they want to feel the MATTER. LOL so they adopt this twist.”

“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Well, patriotism and religious conviction.”

“Why does MarkO hate America so?
[VBG]
His antiChristian bigotry is peeking out too.”

“Go soak your head, SillyStomper.

My statement does not say that all patriots are scoundrels nor religious individuals.

And where did I mention Christians?

What's the deal, feeling guilty??

VBG......Violent Butt Grabber???
Voracious Bacon Greaser?
last edited: 7/17/06 1:12:35 PM”

“MarkO was dropped on his head as a child often.
;-)”

“Wow, I can't remember hearing that come back.

Maybe my memory is shot...........from all those head-drops!!”

“You were......that's what you said to me, several times.
[VBG]”

“Huh......??

(you're wearing that one out, get a new writer)”

“LOL...like the little maggots who go to a third world country (despite WARNINGS) and when the stuff gets too deep they are the first to scream for the US Marines to rescue them.

Hey MarkO here is another one from Samuel Johnson

"We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us. "
Samuel Johnson

And here is one that describes your literary actions to a tee


Your manuscript is both good and original, but the part that is good is not original and the part that is original is not good.
Samuel Johnson, (attributed)
last edited: 7/17/06 1:35:26 PM”

“XL, that is very original of you!

But those quotes make a hell of a lot more sense than some of your "sentences".”

“See MarkO...One of my Classmates sacrificed a marriage, a house, a dog and a number of years of his life as a U.S. Marine pulling maggot infested lefties out of African countries when it got to HOT for them.

Reminds me of the people who cast dispersions on my fellow Firefighters when we go past your house at 2AM. But for a week or two in September of 2001 (after our brothers showed how dedicated we were) we were told thanks....”

“I've never been to a third world country but I lived in Vermont for five years.

Would maggot-infested include the colonists who couldn't take the heat of rebellion in third world countries they moved in on and exploited and called for military intervention to save their rubber/banana/coffee plantations?”

“How many generations do they have to be there not to be a colonist?”

“Hey, Stove, I don't disagree with most of your initial post. We have been blessed greatly by God and those who came before.

But I don't think that it is inevitable that America will always be the biggest dude on the block. I think we've seen some pretty dramatic changes in places like China and India and even Russia.

So, I think that it is really important that we take care of the basics. We need to spend less, both public and private. We need to ensure that individual political and economic freedoms are protected - even if it hurts sometimes. We need good schools and universities. And we need to make sure that we use our military to maximum strategic advantage.

AND, most importantly, we need to stand for something that Americans - and good people around the world - can believe in.

If there does come a day when America is not the shining city on a hill that Reagan always spoke so wonderfully about, it will not be a sudden thing. It will be a chip here and a chip there. We'll just get used to having China or Russia or France tell us what to do.”

“I didn't write the post. Just a cut n paste.
Even I do not agree with everything he wrote, but I do support most of it.”

“Hey RL, I mostly posted this because I thought the title was nifty. LOL
I felt we needed a change from the constant antiAmerica hate this hate that titles from the MoonBats.
LOL”

“I don't agree with what she has to say and I find her dumber than the "red necks" she doesn't like but it's America and she can say whatever she wants. Just as we can say whatever we want. Like "BOO!" when we see her in public or "No, I won't pay to go see the Chicks.".

Their tour in America is up in the air so they are touring in Canada more than here.”

“i hate amerikkka so i mooved to canaduh”

“im proud to be a human being.

i think”

“Crash...that explains alot. So tell me did you renounce your American Citizenship?

RL. I have to agree that we must work to develop a world that is sympathetic to the lower end as well as those in power. I have always been fond of the statement,"The most important thing to remember when you are the person wielding the GUN, is that one day the barrel may be pointed at YOU."

That is why I am a big fan of more Freedom and less Government control. Unfortunatly we don't see a whole lot of that in Government. Just today I read where the 42nd Occupant of the White House told the African Nations they need MORE GOVERNMENT to control AIDS. Sorry but you are talking about people that KNOW the effect of Oppressive Government. It is just that the LIB Socialists see Government as the ONLY Solution. SORRY People are the solution.”

“But, but, but Dan! We're too stupid to do anything without the government! Pay my bills! Wipe my ass! Feed me! Heal me! Hold me!”

“LOL...Nigal the prominent yell is "WHERE MY FREE MONEY."

I actually heard a woman with five 'UTES screaming in the lobby of the office,"I wants my free house and my free money."

As I explain when the scream about how DIFFERENT their problem is..."Mam the US government deals to the lowest common denominator when we run it that way we deal equally with everyone." These people do not understand that equal is not the same as FAIR.”

“We're basically spoiled rotten by our own government. Everyone thinks everything is a right and the world owes them something for being here.

Like education. When public education first came around many people were suspicious of the government's intentions. They didn't like the government getting that involved in their private lives back then. Look at us now though. We throw so much money down the rat hole of public education with ZERO results. Public education is a bigger theft than Enron.”

“Of all the Professions out there the only one that does not have a requirement for "continued proficiency testing" are the TEACHERS....HMM

hell even EMTs and Firefighters have to continutally TEST to prove proficiency in their skills.”

“We're basically spoiled rotten by our own government. Everyone thinks everything is a right and the world owes them something for being here.


Nigal
7:59:07 AM

blame FDR. worst president in US history IMHO

pre FDR mentality - people support gov't
post - gov't supports people

what a great new deal”

“Agreed.”

“Hmmmm....

Post WWII-government(taxpayers) supports a Miltary/Congressional/Industrial Complex that doesn't want the war machine gravy train to stop.

Since 1945 all U.S. presidents have more or less gone along to get along.

No one dares stop the gravy train.”

“Yep...and before WWII we had the time to build up...MarkO you probably don't know or will be willing to believe this. But in 1939 when HITLER was really starting to roll the President had a cabinet meeting where the YES MEN were telling him how we could supply a military.


Only one man had the balls to tell Roosevelt he was wrong...Gen. GC Marshall. Thank GOD Roosevelt listened.

The reason LIBS hate the military is that it is a system where excellence is pursued. Face it if you want to slough along in combat....Darwin kicks in. Plus the military supports Honor etc....Libs cannot take anything that encourgages RESPONSIBILITY.

OH yeah...MarkO you do know that NOT ONE of the Roosevelt's Liberal Socialist Plans got us out of the Depression...it only truly ended when the nation switched to a War Footing....World War II ended the Depression.
last edited: 7/18/06 8:03:53 AM”

“i dunno marko.
i can't say for 100% certain and i'm too lazy to research it, but i remember learning in college history that most wars have been good for the economies in the short term, a drain if they went to long, and usually followed by a recession when the boys came home.

post WWII that has changed with a more global economy and now-a-days pretty much all war is bad.
wars are bad, m'kaaaay.”

“The rights always place the responsibility on the left and vice versa. Passing blame is the great american past time, but not on TT.”

“The reason LIBS hate the military is that it is a system where excellence is pursued.

Why do I bother...........?

First of all, liberals do not hate the military.
You have been pickled by propaganda.

Secondly, the military is a huge and cumbersome beast that wastes much of what it spends(our money).
"...pursues excellence..."
Our military is run-through with self-serving people interested in promoting their carreers and suckling at the government money teat after "putting in their 20+".
There are a lot of decent people in the military and quite a few goof-offs as well(Sacco????).

XL, don't bother asking me "why I hate America" or calling me a traitor.
You are like one of those talking dolls that has a handful of pat answers among which are the above mentioned.

Pull XL's string and he will say things like:

"Libs cannot take anything that encourgages RESPONSIBILITY."

Sacco, I can think of one war that wrecked the U.S. economy pretty good.
By 1978 interest rates were way high.
I had Certificates of Deposit that were bringing in 13%-14%.
The bills for over-spending came due in the late '70s.

"....wars are bad...."
Are you a #&%!$in' comedian......today?
last edited: 7/18/06 8:19:51 AM”

“MarkO...and I will QUOTE from your HERO...the Convicted BILLY BOY CLINTON's Staff during the 1992 Inauguration. The Air Force did a fly over, one of the staff looked up and said,'WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING?" the other guy looked at him and said,"hey those are OUR fighters now."

Please....oh and 1978..recession...lets see who was EL PRESIDENTE....UM....OH YEAH MR. SUFFERING...JIMUH (Lets hold America down and spread her cheeks while the Islamo Wackjobs get their way) CARTER!!!! Face it Jimuh was as incompetent as a President as he was as a Navy officer.

"When your neighbor loses his job that is a recession. When you lose your job that is a depression. When Carter loses his job that is RECOVERY." (RONALD REAGAN)”

“Monback, marko.”

“War is bad for children and other living things.

Let's all join hands with flowers in our hair and sing the Coke song.....
"I would like to sing the World a song..."”

“There are a lot of decent people in the military and quite a few goof-offs as well(Sacco??

most of the time i was too drunk to be decent or goof off.


Sacco, I can think of one war that wrecked the U.S. economy pretty good.
By 1978 interest rates were way high.
I had Certificates of Deposit that were bringing in 13%-14%.
The bills for over-spending came due in the late '70s

that follows w/ what i said.

Are you a #&%!$in' comedian......today?

newbie.”

“XL, the economic problems of the '70s were in large part from the wild spending on that intractable conflict in S.E. Asia that tore a gaping hole in the U.S. budget.

Don't play sophomore on me here!

When Carter was inaugurated in January, 1977 he took over an office that had been disgraced by one of the slimiest politicians of all time and an economy that had been wrung out by over ten years of pouring money down a rat hole halfway around the world.

Dude, you sure have a thing for describing butt-rape, huh?
That, and talking about turning cities full of human beings into glass.

Hmmmmm......perverted AND blood-thirsty!
Hmmmmm.......officer material.
last edited: 7/18/06 8:36:17 AM”

“MarkO says to XL - You have been pickled by propaganda.

As stovestomper would say - LOLOLOLOLOLOL!

This incredibly ironic remark is after MarkO pulls out this tinfoilhattery: War is a racket - Post WWII-government(taxpayers) supports a Miltary/Congressional/Industrial Complex that doesn't want the war machine gravy train to stop.

and then there's this gem: Our military is run-through with self-serving people interested in promoting their carreers and suckling at the government money teat after "putting in their 20+".

Jezus, MarkO - it's like saying "You're a racist!" followed by "Whitey is the cause of all problems!". This is why you're laughed at! You have no credibility whatsoever. At least violin in all his moonbattiness doesn't engage in your brand of infantile lunacy.”

“StoveStomper, lay off the Coke!”

“Hmmmmm......perverted AND blood-thirsty!”
MarkO
9:32:55 AM

if XL was a chick i'd be so turned on right now.”

“Hi Mutt!!

I'll bet you have a coon skin cap and toy six shooters!

Oh, I'm just sooooo crazy!”

“markO...want to compare SLIMEY>>>>?? Lets compare the marginally minor violations of Nixon to say...CLINTON????

MarkO...here is another statement you left out...the WORLD TO END..minorities and poor to suffer most (YADDA YADDA)....

MarkO...I went to school with one of the Marines who was a guest of the Iranians. The thing they were told most was that "Carter won't do anything."

kinda like a cop who won't draw a gun...you call them a School Police Officer (LOL).

The Military is successful without having to bow to the Socialists. The 42nd administration did their best to destroy the military. But the Military survives....heck they took less time to take a WHOLE country than Billy's men did to take a compound in Waco TEXAS (LOL).

MarkO"YEAARGH"”

“"The Socialists"

Huh, are they hiding under your bed or in the woodpile?

Most of what you post is marginally comprehensible.

You need to read up on Nixon and Kissinger.”

“Um MarkO. I think Socialisim is the most destructive idea to ever hit Mankind.
You convince people they are useless without Government intervention.

As for nixon and Kissinger...what per se would you wish to discuss. They were part of the Blue Blood Republicans. Nixon did the same stuff every President before him did.

There are numerous indications that Deep Throat may have been faked (not that the Washington POST EVER FAKED NEWS) and the neat thing is with LIMITED EVIDENCE the Republicans told Nixon to resign. That showed a modicum of honor.

Now lets take the LIBS hero. want to discuss criminal activity?????

Nah lets not I wouldn't want to see your "puddin' haid" explode.”

“"That showed a modicum of honor."

That's a hoot!!!

Nixon could have gone to prison, they had him as good as cooked......read up.

You guys have been great!!
Time for lunch!”

“Please tell me how you would have gotten a conviction?


LOL Enjoy lunch”

“XL, you should chill a little bit with the caps, man. makes you seem overstimulated.”

“What the hell is the military, but socialist that offers profit in its' supply and its' services which always benefit the private sector.”

“did you renounce your American Citizenship?

no, but when my schooling finishes next month, ill defineitely be looking for a job here just as enthusiastically as in my home country.

i like canada. i like canada alot. america is canada on steroids, with alot of excess testosterone and deficit of attention span
last edited: 7/18/06 9:32:32 AM”

“George Bush; great president or greatest?”