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Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tiny Tim Had it Right
There is an email that is being forwarded all over that tells us we SHOULD all fly our American flags on 9-11-07. The body of it reads like this:
On Tuesday, September 11th, 2007, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this fifth anniversary of our country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.
In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.
The email goes on to tell us to spread the word and also display our flag on the 11th. It ends with:
Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America
I think that it is really important to think about what we do and what our motivations are instead of just emotionally fulfilling an action because someone says we "should". Who is that "someone", anyway? And why are they telling me what I "should" do? (Maybe that someone is a flag manufacturer. cha-ching!) Will flying my flag really help us prevail over terrorism?
I am sure that the person who originated this had good intentions. It is very kind of them to want us to remember that scary day and to acknowledge those who have died because of it. But let's also, while we're at it, not forget the other 148,000 people who died that day (151,338 people in our world die each day) and every day. Some of those other 148,000 who died on that day also departed in horrible circumstances, and all who died left grieving friends and relatives behind. Families and friends of those other 148,000 will commemorate their loved ones' deaths with no national fanfare, even though their loss was just as important to them.
I'm not even going to go there with "our cherished freedoms" that our soldiers are fighting for and our government is taking away...
Then there's the "God Bless America" bumper-sticker quote. We really do need God - or someone - to bless us. We have lost our way. Our national debt, the decimation of our constitution, our occupation of a country, and all the deaths in our name, etc., etc. We're walking into deep doodoo and need all of the blessing we can get.
Or maybe we just need the American people to wake up and right our ship.
God Bless America
I feel sad every time I read those words, because I can't figure out why we are sooooo special that we only ask for Her to bless US. It seems very callous and inhumane to not wish for blessings from God/Jesus/Allah/Buddha/you/me for ALL of humanity.Tiny Tim had it right.
"God bless us, every one!" - Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol
"Jesus loves the little children, ALL the children of the world. Red or yellow, black or white; they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
(Song I was taught as a child. I still believe it today.)
"The only real, dignified, human doctrine is the greatest good of all." - Mahatma Gandhi
"Jesus loves the little children, ALL the children of the world. Red or yellow, black or white; they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world."
(Song I was taught as a child. I still believe it today.)
"The only real, dignified, human doctrine is the greatest good of all." - Mahatma Gandhi
posted by Carol at 8:34 AM
6 comments
Saturday, July 14, 2007
HOA Backs Down
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Beth Hammer's HOA did not back down because they realized that Beth has a constitutional freedom of speech. They didn't back down, because W signed a bill last year barring HOA's from restricting how a flag can be displayed. They say that they backed down, because the financial cost of pursuing this woman and her errant flag flying ways would cost more money than would be warranted by the impact of her actions. I think that's a good reason, but the HOA could've educated the public about our legal rights by citing the most important and real reasons for not pursuing this.
Way to go, Beth!
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Beth Hammer's HOA did not back down because they realized that Beth has a constitutional freedom of speech. They didn't back down, because W signed a bill last year barring HOA's from restricting how a flag can be displayed. They say that they backed down, because the financial cost of pursuing this woman and her errant flag flying ways would cost more money than would be warranted by the impact of her actions. I think that's a good reason, but the HOA could've educated the public about our legal rights by citing the most important and real reasons for not pursuing this.
Way to go, Beth!
Labels: 1st Amendment, flag
posted by Carol at 8:11 AM
0 comments
Friday, July 13, 2007
Update on Another Flag Story
W says this...
...is alright with him. Read below.
Update: Silent flag protest raises outcry
Beth Hammer's HOA delivered a letter on 4/24/07 ,threatening fines of $25 to $500 if she didn't right her upside down flag within a week. After meeting this past Tuesday, members of the HOA stated that they will decide within 10 days whether or not to fine this true patriot - and the fines could be retroactive to the date the flag was hung! Beth is willing to take her case to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
So, unless there is something I don't understand (which is highly likely), the HOA doesn't have a chance to win - but they do have the chance of making Beth's life miserable so she'll want to move.
(Babies in their nest at my neighbor's house)
W says this...
...is alright with him. Read below.
Update: Silent flag protest raises outcry
Beth Hammer's HOA delivered a letter on 4/24/07 ,threatening fines of $25 to $500 if she didn't right her upside down flag within a week. After meeting this past Tuesday, members of the HOA stated that they will decide within 10 days whether or not to fine this true patriot - and the fines could be retroactive to the date the flag was hung! Beth is willing to take her case to the Supreme Court, if necessary.
BUT according to the AP article, President signs bill freeing homeowners to fly U.S. flag, W must agree that we can fly our flag at our home in any fashion that we want. I kinda wonder what was behind THAT bill, but hey, he signed it.
So, unless there is something I don't understand (which is highly likely), the HOA doesn't have a chance to win - but they do have the chance of making Beth's life miserable so she'll want to move.
###
(Babies in their nest at my neighbor's house)Do it for the Birds
I've only met Robert of Left of Centrist fame in the blogosphere, but I'm 99% sure that he was at Camp Casey at the same time I was during the week of Easter. I rode from Camp Casey to Crawford with his friend one day, so it's one of those 6 degree things - or maybe just 2 degrees.
Anyway, please go visit this brave man who will be doing his SECOND 24 hour blogathon in a couple of weeks. You can find out all about it here. Send him questions or send him money (which will go to the Alliance for Climate Protection. It has a great website, btw.).
Anyway, please go visit this brave man who will be doing his SECOND 24 hour blogathon in a couple of weeks. You can find out all about it here. Send him questions or send him money (which will go to the Alliance for Climate Protection. It has a great website, btw.).
Labels: environment, flag, Left of Centrist, photography
posted by Carol at 10:30 AM
6 comments
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Another Flag Story
This story reminds me that I'd better check to see how my friend in Michigan is doing with her version of the flag.
A woman who lives in the burb next door will be facing a hearing tomorrow night because she is...
HANGING HER FLAG UPSIDE DOWN!!!
It doesn't get much worse than that!
The board of her homeowner's association is very distressed with her, saying the way the flag is being flown violates Cambridge Park's patriotic and political expression policy.
It's a pretty scary time when we have policies dictating how we express our political views at our own home.
A woman who lives in the burb next door will be facing a hearing tomorrow night because she is...
HANGING HER FLAG UPSIDE DOWN!!!
It doesn't get much worse than that!
The board of her homeowner's association is very distressed with her, saying the way the flag is being flown violates Cambridge Park's patriotic and political expression policy.
It's a pretty scary time when we have policies dictating how we express our political views at our own home.
Labels: flag
posted by Carol at 6:47 PM
4 comments