Is there a "right" way to be an American?

[Proverbs 3-5]

My liberal brother, in response to a patriotic e-mail my dad sent out, asked "Is there a "right" way to be an American?" My brother is retired from the Coast Guard and like me is an Eagle Scout so I shouldn't have to explain it to him. But over the years he has gone to the dark side, hook, line, and sinker...

I'm in the process of crafting a reply but could use some help and figured this was a good place to start. I'm not trying to slap him down but want to make a thoughtful reply. I can think of lots of ways NOT to be an American!!

[2ndDivisionVet]

There’s a “wrong” way:

PLEASE WATCH AND EMAIL THESE LINKS OUT **NOW** TO YOUR FAMILY, CO-WORKERS AND FRIENDS AHEAD OF THE NORTH CAROLINA, PENNSYLVANIA AND PUERTO RICO PRIMARIES!!

Obama’s Pastor Celebrates 9/11 (explicit)
Only 5 Days After 3,000 Americans Killed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhl-endvco

Obama’s Racially-Divisive Pastor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUbUBTlmAiA

Obama Disrespecting U.S. Flag and Anthem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8QCkgg5Kjo

The Audacity of Barack Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwjnT4eJJvs

The Audacity of Barack Obama 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeC8BE-2T_k

Is Obama Wright? - Pastor Wright & Senator Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72B3tUAqpo4

Obama’s Pastor - 9/11 Fault of Israel Association

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnI431s1r6s

Obama - Cult of Personality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP7lUGn7HWk

Name Obama’s Accomplishments if you can #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGeu_4Ekx-o

Name Obama’s Accomplishments if you can #2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzFOOcEQtP0

Barack Obama: There Will Be Bamboozling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuB_W8o_UsU

The Two Things Senator Obama Accomplished

http://www.floppingaces.net/2008/02/27/obamas-empty-change-message/

The Jeremiah Wright Lifetime Achievement Award

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prhnc2fxAzg

Gaza Strip Palestinians Campaigning for Obama

http://youtube.com/watch?v=21YF7ggCG6g

Barack Obama: Doesn’t Want his daughters ‘punished’ with a baby

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eNzmly28Bmg

[Truthsearcher]

Of course there is, otherwise the terms “American” and “America” would have no meaning.

[Proverbs 3-5]

Of course there is, otherwise the terms “American” and “America” would have no meaning.

True enough, but in his view being an American means being tolerant and non-judgemental (which of course he and his type are not)

No, I was looking for something profound to send him, something hard even for a liberal to reject...

[Hyzenthlay]

Ummm.... here’s a starter list:
-Don’t give sensitive/classified info to America’s enemies.
-Don’t fight against America in a war.
-Don’t try to sabotage or overthrow our government.
-Don’t be a US citizen.

[KrisKrinkle]

“Ummm.... here’s a starter list:
-Don’t give sensitive/classified info to America’s enemies.
-Don’t fight against America in a war.
-Don’t try to sabotage or overthrow our government.
-Don’t be a US citizen.”

For the sake of posterity, would you care to expand on that last one?

[gardencatz]

I don't honestly know if that's possible. When confronted with a fact they don't like they simply ignore it, make excuses, move the goal post, question the source, or twist it three ways from Sunday. Too much pride and arrogance to allow them to admit they might be wrong about something.

However there is a difference between “tolerance” and “acceptance”. Tolerance implies a live and let live attitude...appropriate for people/groups who don't see eye to eye. The left pretty much demands we ACCEPT whatever group/lifestyle they're using as this season's victim. They, however, aren't willing to even tolerate someone with a differing point of view.

Take “gay rights” (whatever that is) and Christians’ points of view. Christians are expected to give up their beliefs, join the enlightenment, or barring that, to simply shut up and go crawl in a hole. True tolerance would mean accepting that not everyone is going to agree and support you, but that they have a right to their views, values, and lifestyle (including the values they pass on to their children) that are equally as important as gays. Most Christians already understand not everyone will believe and have no problem with that.

In order to coexist BOTH groups need to be able to live their lives respecting each other and their differences. Heck, they can even be next door neighbors as long as the gay couple doesn't take their poodle out for a walk wearing pink leather chaps with their butts hanging out (that has nothing to do with “gayness” but overt sexuality, which isn't appropriate for the neighborhood kids). By the same token, the Christians next door should probably refrain from putting Fred Phelps style signs in their front yard. One group shouldn't have to subordinate itself in preference of the other but when liberals talk about “tolerance” that's what they mean.

Liberals pretty much think if a person lives their values, but those values differ from liberal beliefs, they're passing judgment. Not wanting “Heather Has Two Mommies” to be read to your first grader or the health teacher giving your sixth grader information about Planned Parenthood has nothing to do with passing judgment on the world at large. It has everything to do with being able to teach your child YOUR values. I certainly expect Heather's mothers will teach her their values and there are probably other parents, like the Obamas who will be fine with taking their daughter to get an abortion so the won't be “saddled” with a child.

I CAN tell you my child will never be taught to judge or even not befriend Heather or the Obama girls. Because part of patriotism means TOLERATING others, not agreeing, not embracing, not compromising one's own beliefs, but realizing “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are rights guaranteed to ALL Americans (even “uptight” Evangelicals). But part of that “right” doesn't mean that I have to accept everything everyone else does...if Heather's mommies’ self-worth depends on the acceptance and approval of the entire nation then they clearly need to learn how to stop being victims and take some responsibility for their own happiness. And it doesn't mean I'll stop fighting for an end to abortion any more than someone on the left will stop fighting for an end to the death penalty.

Cindie

[Truthsearcher]

Does being non-judgemental includes being non-judgemental of people who are judgemental?

[G8 Diplomat]

but in his view being an American means being tolerant and non-judgemental

Ask him if we should be tolerant and non-judgemental of the 9/11 hijackers. By a Koran, tell him to read it. Highlight the 109 verses of violence if he can't figure it out himself. Then ask him if we should be tolerant and non-judgemental of people who follow this book to the word (terrorists).

There's a right way to be an American...don't be a liberal!

[G8 Diplomat]

I like your tagline, I used to have one like it. That’s what I say whenever people ask me why I’m taking Arabic and Russian....so someday you won’t have to!

[ansel12]

When someone loves America they see it in a positive light and are mostly aware of it’s virtues and accomplishments, and the depth of it’s character that got it there.

Just like love between two good people, the many good things are always front and center and foremost in one’s mind, while the very human necessity of striving for improvement of faults and missteps is pursued with a spirit of love and warmth.

The love for America that we see in men like George Washington and Ronald Reagan is like that, we are smothered in a warm bear hug of their love for our people and our institutions and our governing documents, while at the same time, no one could inspire us to strive harder to always work a little more to come together in finding solutions for the natural frictions and conflicts, and even contradictions in the life of our nation and it’s past.

All humans are members of some nation, some where, and every nation has it’s problems, past, present, and future, but no citizen on earth has a better starting point to work from, or a better community to work with, than we Americans.

[Hyzenthlay]

Well, in order to be an American, I think US citizenship is a good way to start... I was also kind tired and semi-incoherent when I wrote that, but not being an US citizen is one way to not be an American... then they’d be Canadian or French or Israeli or whatever.

[jellybean]

Send him this video: How Modern Liberals Think

[KrisKrinkle]

“...I was also kind tired and semi-incoherent ...”

Been there, done that, some of the scars have healed :)

[dr_lew]

Most decidely, Yes! ... or else it means nothing.