Since I haven't as yet written an API piece on the meaning of patiotism, I've spent some time recently reading and thinking on the subject. Given the abusive, dangerous, and very oppressive home that I grew up in, I abhor authoritarianism and the tyranny with which it stalks, traps, and devours its victims. The "Embrace Democracy" flag above expresses my view of patriotism in full.
The Embrace flag measures 61/2 '' by 4". We have two of them. One is magnetized so reminds everyone here daily of the basics involved in maintaining a participatory democracy - it is the largest magnet on our refrigerator. The other, a plastic window decal, is the only flag decal that has ever graced one of our cars. Remember that John Prine song....
Your flag decal won't get you into heaven any more
It's already overcrowded from your dirty little war
Jesus don't like killin' no matter what the reason for
Your flag decal won't get you into heaven any more.
The "Embrace Democracy" flag says it all. We all took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. We along with non-veterans are all charged with protecting the freedoms and rights alloted all of us by the founders of our democratic system. Debate, Dissent, and Question translate into three of the most powerful arms every American can and should bear when threatened by authoritarianism. We are under threat now, and have been throughout the worst, most destructive presidency this nation has ever experienced.
On Thursday, June 26th four of us from San Diego Veterans For Peace met with two of congressman Duncan Hunter's staff members to voice our opposition to H. Con. Res. 362. This dangerous proposal, if passed, would demand that the president order a blockage against Iran. A blockade is considered by international law, to be an act of aggression. This administration may be hoping that by passing Resolution 362 they will be able to provoke Iran into a war with the United States.
The meeting at Hunter's office was a new experience for me. My fellow vets had done such visits before. One acted as the lead and then we each in turn spoke. As the only female present I chose to speak from that perspective so attempted to give voice to the victims, both Iranian and American, of an expanded war. I learned from our visitation and will put what I've learned to use in the future.
On one hand, it seemed access to our elected representative was as close and open as the corner store; on the other, the president and the congress have been taking our money and screwing us for years.
We went to speak truth to power but when I thought about it later, I realized that speaking truth to power doesn't apply in a democracy. The people are the power in a democracy - so arm yourselves, my brothers, Debate, Dissent, and Question!
________________________________________________________
Life has been a whirlwind lately and I've had one heck of a case of writer's block. I think the Hillary/ Obama thing did a real job on me. Still dealing with some health issues but nothing major and doing OK. I hope that all of you are well and that life is being good to you.
Catfish and I are going to the Veterans For Peace convention in Minneapolis from August 27 - 31. Will any of you be there? We are scrimping and saving to afford it but looking forward to taking part.
I tried to put the new photo map on my page but it wouldn't work - I don't know why. I'll try again tomorrow.
That's it for now,
.....PEACE......
......KWW.......
The Embrace flag measures 61/2 '' by 4". We have two of them. One is magnetized so reminds everyone here daily of the basics involved in maintaining a participatory democracy - it is the largest magnet on our refrigerator. The other, a plastic window decal, is the only flag decal that has ever graced one of our cars. Remember that John Prine song....
Your flag decal won't get you into heaven any more
It's already overcrowded from your dirty little war
Jesus don't like killin' no matter what the reason for
Your flag decal won't get you into heaven any more.
The "Embrace Democracy" flag says it all. We all took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. We along with non-veterans are all charged with protecting the freedoms and rights alloted all of us by the founders of our democratic system. Debate, Dissent, and Question translate into three of the most powerful arms every American can and should bear when threatened by authoritarianism. We are under threat now, and have been throughout the worst, most destructive presidency this nation has ever experienced.
On Thursday, June 26th four of us from San Diego Veterans For Peace met with two of congressman Duncan Hunter's staff members to voice our opposition to H. Con. Res. 362. This dangerous proposal, if passed, would demand that the president order a blockage against Iran. A blockade is considered by international law, to be an act of aggression. This administration may be hoping that by passing Resolution 362 they will be able to provoke Iran into a war with the United States.
The meeting at Hunter's office was a new experience for me. My fellow vets had done such visits before. One acted as the lead and then we each in turn spoke. As the only female present I chose to speak from that perspective so attempted to give voice to the victims, both Iranian and American, of an expanded war. I learned from our visitation and will put what I've learned to use in the future.
On one hand, it seemed access to our elected representative was as close and open as the corner store; on the other, the president and the congress have been taking our money and screwing us for years.
We went to speak truth to power but when I thought about it later, I realized that speaking truth to power doesn't apply in a democracy. The people are the power in a democracy - so arm yourselves, my brothers, Debate, Dissent, and Question!
________________________________________________________
Life has been a whirlwind lately and I've had one heck of a case of writer's block. I think the Hillary/ Obama thing did a real job on me. Still dealing with some health issues but nothing major and doing OK. I hope that all of you are well and that life is being good to you.
Catfish and I are going to the Veterans For Peace convention in Minneapolis from August 27 - 31. Will any of you be there? We are scrimping and saving to afford it but looking forward to taking part.
I tried to put the new photo map on my page but it wouldn't work - I don't know why. I'll try again tomorrow.
That's it for now,
.....PEACE......
......KWW.......
6 comments:
Patriotism isn't dead in this country, although this administration seems to want people to believe that any dissention of any government program or decision is anti American.
While I was on The Longest Walk
http://longestwalk.org
We heard concerns from all over the country. These concerns were mostly about the environment and the governments dealings with the destruction of this fragile Mother Earth we live on. These concerns and others will be taken, via a Manifesto, to the elected officials in Washington DC. The actual delivery will be after the march into the Capitol which is scheduled for July 11th. I'll be carrying a POW/MIA flag into DC on that date.
I'll be around for the Veterans For Peace Convention in Minneapolis as well as for the protests scheduled during the Republican National Convention which takes place right after the VFP at the Ramada.
We must get together during the time you are here. E-mail me so I can send you my phone number.
In the meantime, Thank You for your patriotic duty, then and now!
Peace to all.
Excellent post, Sister. Where can I get one of those flags?
I would love to join you guys at the VFP Convention but I have to work. Spadoman can tell you that in our business you have to take it when you can get it, there's never a guarentee for the next job.
On the other hand, I have to check my calender, I may be able to make it ti DC, although that is looking less and less likely. The picture I am on started late, due to fears regarding the possible acotr's strike and we may be working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week for the next month or so. At this point, I am hoping to have the 4th of July off, lol!
KWW, I hope your health concerns are nne too serious. We all love you and want you well. Take care.
Pax Tibi,
d.
Quick note, the post deleted was a duplicate of my first post. I saw no reason to take up space with it.
Mags bought me a laptop with money she had squirreled away, so now even when I am in NY I will be able to read your posts and stay in touch. Gotta love technology. I especially need to catch up on Spadoman's doings. This Longest March is intriguing me. I may have to try it myself someday.
d.
Mark Twain said "Patriotism means always standing up for your country, and for your government when it deserves it".
I'm down with that. There's such a difference between the two right now, it's a no-brainer.
Spadoman...
I'm just now getting around to replying. I followed some of the longest walk through the links on your page. It is time to revisit. How exciting that you will be in D. C. for the delivery of the Manifesto.
I am really jazzed that you will be at the VFP Convention. I will e-mail you next.
Deuddersun...
Wish you could be at the VFP thing too, but work comes first - especially in today's economic climate.
I had to hunt all over the place for a couple of days to find the website where I got the "Embrace" flags. I hadn't bookmarked it so I had to locate the envelope my flags arrived in two years ago. Unfortunately, I had put it away where I wouldn't loose it. GEEZ! I finally found it and will post it here at API.
Gordon...
The difference is huge and scary! We've all got to keeping doing what we've all been doing for the last several years to draw attention to the threat and turn back the elements that wish to subvert American democracy.
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