"This is America, We were Born to Be Free

[Protagoras]

We were given the greatest Rights on Earth *sob*."

This was just said by some emotional caller on AAR...and I have to say...it's telling. She's sobbing...she's wondering where her rights went...and she's unable to escape a very little bubble.

She thinks she's entitled to special treatment. She thinks WE are special. She thinks THIS place is somehow magical. And now she's sitting stunned that Other people..using the SAME rhetoric, but with a vastly different view of what it means...have taken her myths away.

Well I've got a different view myself today...

1. This is America...And that is Canada...And over there is Belgium...and down there is Venezuela...There used to be the Roman Empire...over there used to be the British Empire...That place named China used to be the biggest baddest thing on the block...now they aren't. Those things are names. The boundaries were made by peoples and wars...It's a whole big world...stop thinking it has always revolved around us. Stop saying "BUT THIS IS AMERICA" it only means what you make it mean going forward...yesterday is so much fish wrapping when it comes to defending your rights.

2. We were not born to BE free. We happen to have been born in a place that was freer than most...but don't kid yerself, we aren't as free as a number of others. We aren't some lone, shining beacon of virtue...read your 20th century history. We aren't BORN to be ANYTHING...we ARE what we MAKE ourselves. And we've been doing a damn poor job of it. Many were born to be wage slaves...Many are born and become criminals...but don't think that just because you were born on this continent that you've got some special lock on the freedom thing.

3. We weren't GIVEN shit...we fought for it. Women weren't GIVEN the right to vote. Slaves weren't GIVEN freedom...people fought and bled and died to TAKE and HOLD those things. And many appear to have forgotten that they have to KEEP fighting for them. Power and Money Corrupt. We have a land with a lot of both...and as a consequence a lot of Corruption...and those Corrupt people would love to get MORE power and money...and it has to come from somewhere...what are you doing to protect YOUR freedom wallet?

Moreover...ya know what...rights aren't given...they are inherent. If they are given then they are a permission...we don't say the Government GRANTS our freedom...the government is supposed to recognize and PROTECT our freedoms (that's why WE create it)...well it should but I think we've left that idea in the dust as well.

And as for our Rights being greatest...nope...those rights are universal...they apply to all people in all lands. Some have done a better job of securing and protecting them than others...some have fallen down on the job...we are quickly becoming counted among the fallen. But that guy on the other side of the globe is just as worth, as deserving, and entitled to the FREEDOMS that we treasure as we are...All MEN are created Equal...not all Americans.....and if it weren't for the time...I'm sure it would have been worded ALL PEOPLE...and there's a lesson there when we count our dead but not theirs.

IN other words...don't cry as we spew their points...find and defend our OWN points.

Don't sit there saying "IT CAN'T HAPPEN HERE"

It can...and it has.

Read yer Sinclair Lewis...none of this..NONE OF THIS...should be a suprise.

Now stop crying and start fighting.

[Grillydad]

1. We too often forget

This is what "freedom isn't free" realy means. Well said.

[Popol Vuh]

2. very very well said Protagoras.

All your points are right on the money. :thumbsup:

Definitely nominated.

[Sparkman]

3. I can't disagree, adding "A People's History of th U.S" by Howard Zinn