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Old 12-30-2006, 09:51 AM   #1
stripersnipr
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Just to keep things in proper perspective

This should be required reading for all High School Students

USA: Spoiled Brats

By Craig R. Smith © 2006

The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The same magazine that employs Michael (Qurans in the toilets at Gitmo) Isikoff. Here I promised myself this week I would be nice and I start off in this way.
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home, you may
be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bulletproof vest will
come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the US yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the
world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here. I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of
recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer
what sells. Just ask why they were going to allow a murderer like O. J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did --- insane!

Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

I close with one of my favorite quotes from BC Forbes in 1953: ''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our
liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.'' I suggest we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are
not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.
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Old 12-30-2006, 09:59 AM   #2
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Old 12-30-2006, 11:25 AM   #3
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Nice Gradient To The Slant

Nice piece SS....

But....
I have very little and struggle..... does`nt mean I`ll eat a s..t sandwich even though I like bread.

Good health and family
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Old 12-30-2006, 10:04 PM   #4
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Our Schools are hurting

Our immigration policy sucks

Our economy is doing so well yet so many of us are struggling

Heath Care is going to out cost us

Our industrial backbone has been paletized and sent back to China on the same container ships that brought ueber cheap goods here in the first place

Our technological edge is being offshored with our industry in the name of quick profit - remember, our technology was going to be our saving grace as our "working" jobs went overseas.

This administration and senior civilian and in some cases military leadership has let down the American Soldier and Marine

"WE" never really mobilized to support our men and women in the military. Instead there was a tax cut.

Our "welfare state" needs drastic reform to prevent the circle of dependence

The list of problems in this great country goes on and on. The Greatest Generation was handed a growing country in the depths of dispair. The Greatest Generation then defended, employed, engineered, healed, fostered, and the led our great country. Then the Greatest Generation handed their sons and daughters this experience in freedom and responsibility. Some, perhaps too many of these sons and daughters are now squandering what they have been given. It gives me pause to see where this country is today as we as a nation waver on this path between good and evil, honor or self interest. We spend toooooo much time bickering across lines of a party, polarized to a point where free and rational thought is but a glimpse of what it could be.

I have never served in the military. Closest I came was AJROTC. But I was a psuedo military brat and met many of yesterdays military leaders and went to school with their kids. I have seen what to not be free is. I have been to beaches and forests where Americans gave their lives in the thousands. I have been to "facilities" that housed elements of the "final solution". I have seen Joy and I have seen Pain.

I have much to hope for and to believe in with this country and I hope it can be turned around.

As a nation, we need to fear being divided and the dividers. As a nation we need to do things in our best interests, not that of the individual. Above all, we cannot become complacent. That will be our final doom. Complacency.


Rant Off.... BTW - I did like the piece StriperSniper - there is a lot to be said. But it could foster complacency

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Old 12-31-2006, 10:07 AM   #5
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No real disagreement John, but I think the danger of complacency is equaled by the danger of an unbalanced view of life in America which we are constantly bombarded with. I firmly believe the positives far outweigh the negatives. As far as "turning the country around" why on earth would anyone want to turn away from the positive things that Craig Smith pointed out in his article? Rather than encouraging our people to "turn the country around" lets encourage them to correct the negative issues we face and preserve, enjoy and savor the positive things this country presents to them.
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Old 12-31-2006, 10:22 AM   #6
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Right now our country is like a ship unsure of where to go and sadly the Captain isn't making the proper decisions he's paid to do. Our country is suffering from a loack of leadership at the very top. Will the next round of Republicans change that? The next round of Dems? Will some independent dark horse come in?

We are disjointed, on different paths.

Quote:
Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs
I fear that the transfer of the reigns between generations is not happening in the best interests of the USA

Quote:
Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.
This is precisely what I fear and the course this truly great country we live in is on...

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Old 12-31-2006, 04:30 PM   #7
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Wanting change and a greater, smarter, healthier, happier United States does not equal apathy, ignorance of the quality of life in other parts of the world, or an ungrateful view of this nation.

It's funny that complacency is brought up. To me, Smith is saying I don't appreciate my country just because I don't 100% support this administration. I have nothing less then a visceral reaction to that and I don't think I'm alone. Who the %^&* is he to question my patriotism and appreciation for our military? So many writers as well as people in the gov't love to take that stance. Keep it up and see what happens. Take a hint from that approval rating.

To me this is just another divisive perspective from some ignorant guy with a editorial column. If he didn't try so hard to anger the 67% of the population he is speaking down to he might have had something.

There's nothing wrong with wanting this country to change or be "better", whatever that may be. Change, at this point, is a very relative term. Change to what? Something new? Something old? It is inherently American to want changes and actions to preserve that which is good to secure an even better future. It doesn't mean that the 67% is ungrateful.
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Old 12-31-2006, 04:56 PM   #8
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Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete_G View Post
Wanting change and a greater, smarter, healthier, happier United States does not equal apathy, ignorance of the quality of life in other parts of the world, or an ungrateful view of this nation.

It's funny that complacency is brought up. To me, Smith is saying I don't appreciate my country just because I don't 100% support this administration. I have nothing less then a visceral reaction to that and I don't think I'm alone. Who the %^&* is he to question my patriotism and appreciation for our military? So many writers as well as people in the gov't love to take that stance. Keep it up and see what happens. Take a hint from that approval rating.

To me this is just another divisive perspective from some ignorant guy with a editorial column. If he didn't try so hard to anger the 67% of the population he is speaking down to he might have had something.

There's nothing wrong with wanting this country to change or be "better", whatever that may be. Change, at this point, is a very relative term. Change to what? Something new? Something old? It is inherently American to want changes and actions to preserve that which is good to secure an even better future. It doesn't mean that the 67% is ungrateful.

What Pete said

Good health and family
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Old 12-31-2006, 05:08 PM   #9
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One of the points that I took from Mr. Smiths article is maybe we should all try to balance the negativism with at least some acknowledgement of the good things about America. Sounds like a healthy outlook to me. If one consistently points out and dwells on the negative aspects of their country without at least sometimes acknowledging the positive, yes their patriotism may be questioned. That should not be a surprise. If anyone finds that rationale divisive............Well, so be it.
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Old 12-31-2006, 05:54 PM   #10
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I think if one rests on the laurels of this country instead of trying to push for more and better, that's far from patriotic. One of my greatest regrets is having not served in the military, the other being to not have done better in High School (and having gone to an Academy or ROTC program).

How can I serve my country now? Try to do a good job where I work facilitating a better education for your kids. Raising a great young kid (working on it). Doing the right thing.

How else? Keep on pushing authority to make sure THEY do the right thing. Keep pushing authority to make sure THEY support those that put it all on the line.

Short of being in the military or DOD, putting it on the line day in and day out, or being in politics for the betterment or our country (instead of one's self interests) pushing authority is the best thing one can do....

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Old 01-04-2007, 09:39 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stripersnipr View Post
One of the points that I took from Mr. Smiths article is maybe we should all try to balance the negativism with at least some acknowledgement of the good things about America. Sounds like a healthy outlook to me. If one consistently points out and dwells on the negative aspects of their country without at least sometimes acknowledging the positive, yes their patriotism may be questioned. That should not be a surprise. If anyone finds that rationale divisive............Well, so be it.
What he said.

As usual;
but............
and .....................
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Old 01-04-2007, 10:16 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by stripersnipr View Post
If one consistently points out and dwells on the negative aspects of their country without at least sometimes acknowledging the positive, yes their patriotism may be questioned.
Too bad this is America, you have every right to be a pessamistic, negative bastage and still love your country.

-spence
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Old 01-05-2007, 07:52 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spence View Post
Too bad this is America, you have every right to be a pessamistic, negative bastage and still love your country.

-spence
Don't forget....

Too bad this is America, you have every right to be a pessimistic, negative bastage and hate your country.

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope. ~John Buchan
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Old 01-05-2007, 01:04 PM   #14
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A balanced perspective is one where the person espousing a negative view/slant gives us a possible solution to the problem. I don't mind people being negative, just take the time to offer solutions also.


Isolationism, closing off the country to exporting/making laws forbidding jobs to leave the country works both ways. For years the very same countries that our jobs are going to were forced to pay dearly for our products/services that they didn't have. Now it is hurting when for years we were sitting high and mighty. All that outsourcing is the world economy that we are part of at work.

And one can be a patriot of the highest regard and still not support this administration one iota. Plenty of liberals have lost thier lives in conflict supporting thier country, this country.

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Old 01-05-2007, 01:31 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spence View Post
Too bad this is America, you have every right to be a pessamistic, negative bastage and still love your country.

-spence
I would consider that a positive commentary on the freedoms we enjoy in America. Good job.
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