Posted on 06/26/2006 6:57:43 AM PDT by CyberAnt
My son argues with me almost every time I use the word "treason" to describe the actions of liberals. His response to my use of the word in a recent column was to e-mail me the following: "Treason is very much in the realm of specific acts pertaining to the national security of the nation, and I don't think being a whiny liberal qualifies as treason." Perhaps, but it comes close.
Take, for example, the senseless comments of Natalie Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks. Maines created a firestorm a couple of years ago by telling a British audience she was ashamed that President Bush is from her native Texas. This was enough to cause many of the Chicks' fans to cancel tickets, toss their CDs, and cancel plans to ever see them in concert. It also started a feud between Maines and Toby Keith, who has done his best to show solidarity in America's war on terror and to support our troops at every opportunity.
But like all ignorant liberals (redundant, I know), Natalie Maines just can't stop herself from saying stupid things. Most recently, Maines made this statement: "The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism. Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country, I don't see why people care about patriotism."
I yearn to bruise my knuckles on her forehead.
Like every gasbag with a soapbox before her, from Jane Fonda to Barbra Streisand, Natalie Maines has no clue what it took in blood, sweat and sacrifice to obtain the freedom she now so blithely takes for granted. Unfortunately for us, her celebrity gives her a mass forum with which to waste our time, and her fame lends an air of credibility to her obtuseness.
Not to be outdone, pop star Conor Oberst and his band Bright Eyes returned to their native Omaha for a free concert in Memorial Park. During the concert, the audience was inculcated with the political inanities of The World According To Conor, who believes that his celebrity makes him privy to wisdom that the rest of us just cannot access. Oberst called President Bush "an idiot." Wow. Now there is a dissertation of cogent analysis for you.
It has become standard operating procedure for celebrity elitists to bash the president and America's involvement in Iraq. But it is Natalie Maines' latest comment that should most concern us, because it reflects an attitude of indifference toward American sovereignty. Does she imagine that the prosperity that has enabled her to make millions just happened by accident? Does she fail to see that for over two centuries patriots have sacrificed their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in order to ensure that she can live in freedom?
Why be a patriot, Ms. Maines?
Because it is quite literally the least you can do and still call yourself an American. Don't you dare wrap yourself in the protections of our Constitution while mocking those who would die to preserve them. To do so is to confirm to the world that you are a trite, meaningless voice whose legacy will rot in the trash heap of history. If you are so ashamed of our leaders and our beliefs, I would ask that you take full advantage of our lenient border policies. The door's not locked. Feel free to find out firsthand how willing they are to put up with your dual ailments of mental constipation and verbal diarrhea in Darfur. Or Pyongyang. Or Tehran. Better yet, how about Baghdad circa 1979-2003?
Patriotism is not flag-waving and mindless anthem chanting. It is realizing that we owe a debt we could not possibly pay back. And sometimes the least we can do to repay it is to simply think before we speak.
You are the recipient of the blessings of liberty, Ms. Maines. Act like it.
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Doug Patton is a freelance columnist who has served as a political speechwriter and policy advisor to conservative candidates, elected officials and public policy organizations. His weekly columns are published in newspapers across the country and on selected Internet web sites, including TheConservativeVoice.com and GOPUSA.com, where he is a senior writer and state editor. Readers may e-mail him at dougpatton@cox.net.
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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.
I believe that qualifies the NYT for "specifically" revealing information which was "classified" in nature.
Well said Mr. Patton.
Natalie Maines should just turn in her US passport and ask for one of those citizen-of-the-world passports. Then maybe should would appreciate what she has here.
I doubt it!
Getting a lecture on politics from an entertainer is like getting instruction on space flight from a prostitute. They both pander a natural talent in order to sell you on something for which they aren't qualified and know no more than your next door neighbor.
I read these threads to enjoy the witty posts, but the reality is that people as, shall we say, intellectually challenged, as Maines just aren't worth wasting many words on. She is burying herself.
There appear to be a ton of liberal globalists right here on FR who have the same view of 'America'...
These morons think they got famous because they are smarter than the rest of us and that patriotism is just for the unwashed masses.
Patriotism is akin to loyalty and I am sure that these cretins desire fan loyalty.
Agreed.
Nothing treasonous about being a whiny liberal. Just don't you go around revealing secret programs, tying up the executive branch in frivolous court cases, hamper the energy independence of this nation by succumbing to hoplophobia and playing petty politics, giving away military technology either through commission or lax security, undermining the morale and image of the American military by abuse of the purse strings for percieved political gains........... Please, just sit and whine.
Conor Who?
In a touch of irony, "Oberst" means "colonel" in german.
What a jacka$$.
Like Carlos Mencia says, " Why don't you learn a little history and stop being ashamed of what makes your country great"
Ask them how they feel about defending their personal sovereignty against paparazzi and obsessed fans camping out in their backyards. ;)
EXCELLENT ARTICLE BY MR. PATTON!!!!
I'd never heard of "Bright Eyes" until Jay Leno had him on to do some anti-Bush song he'd written, with the appropriate disclaimer that this might upset people. And he's right: it upset me to think of all the musicians with talent who never get a crack at the "Tonight Show" when they let this whiny retard on. It was like watching a high school talent show from "Napoleon Dynamite." I swear, I am not just saying this because I disagreed with the political message. I seriously thought that what I was seeing was some annoying teenager who'd had the "benefit" of a California public school education spouting moronic DNC talking points as he "sang" the first song he'd ever written in his life while twanging the first three chords he had almost, but not quite, learned. It was the type of performance that should be kept in a bedroom, underneath the Che Guevera poster he will hopefully outgrow once he gets his first paycheck, with only the poor kittycat, who can't tell anyone about it, forced to endure his embarrassingly immature angst.
You are the recipient of the blessings of liberty, Ms. Maines. Act like it.
* standing ovation *
...and may I add this:
"You are the recipient of the blessings of liberty, paid for with the blood of thousands of patriots who came before you, Ms. Maines. Act like Never forget it."
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