Posted on 11/03/2001 6:27:17 AM PST by shuckmaster
After September 11th, I’ve had many people come into my store in Weogufka and ask why I don’t sell and fly American flags. I tell them I do, for I consider the Southern and state flags to be American flags; so is the Christian flag. To some, the U.S. flag represents freedom and America. To me, what they call the American flag doesn’t represent America, it represents the federal government. When I look at it I am not reminded of freedom, I remember the picture of my great grandfather who got his leg shot off at the Union siege of Vicksburg, and Sherman’s march through the South which left many of my ancestors dead and in poverty. I think of Waco and Ruby Ridge, I recall what they did to the school system in Coosa County. I think of the dairy farmers in Elmore County, and that the Environmental Protection Agency is closing down some of them who’ve been in business for over a hundred years. I think of how they want to take my guns away. All while waving the federal flag.
And yet I sold that flag, sometimes flew it – until they took our battle flag off the dome in Montgomery.
If they have no respect for my heritage, why should I honor theirs? And, no! I am not going to leave America, my ancestors have been here too long for me to do that!
Before people get too upset, they should remember that according to the original founding fathers one’s country is his state. I figure back then they were smarter than are people today, so that is what I go by.
I worked to help get the law passed requiring all Alabama facilities to fly our state flag, that of my country, which many didn’t care to see. So I have promoted my country’s flag. I could’ve sold a thousand U.S. flags after the incident in New York, and made some money also, but my heart wasn’t in it. Here is why.
There’s been a lot of media sponsored flag waving and talk about how united we are now, and what they call patriotism, with a good probability we’ll invade the Middle East. But let us consider this: I ask you, what good will it do for us to bomb out another country when not a single terrorist would have been here except for the United States letting them in? Were it not the federal government’s policy on gun control, the pilots and that bus driver could’ve been armed. The foxes, invited into the hen house, trained here to kill hens that weren’t allowed to resist. Now, those who asked the foxes into the hen house (to get the heat off themselves) would have us invade the woods and kill all the foxes. Meanwhile, the doors to this hen house – our borders – remain open, and we’re told we must give up our freedom for security.
The Southerners and other Americans who will be sent to fight and die for what the media are calling patriotism should ask some questions.
Where was this patriotism for the good of America when they signed the NAFTA and GATT trade agreements?
Where was this patriotism when they took prayer out of schools?
Where was this patriotism when they promoted funding for abortion clinics? I hear over six thousand babies are murdered by their own parents in America every day. Where was this patriotism as they schemed to deprive you of your First and Second Amendment rights?
Where was this patriotism and love of community when they closed down your neighborhood schools and started busing your children? How about when they opened up our borders? I might’ve even waved a U.S. flag to oppose these things, but there was no media-sponsored patriot rallying cry when it could have done some good. Jerry Falwell was on target: no one should ever apologise for telling the truth!
Now the liberals and socialists want our patriotism! But, will those who fight this new war come home to an America where foreigners continue to enjoy more rights than tenth generation Americans? Must their children still be bused and told they can’t pray in school? They’ve been given guns to defend the federal government’s enemies, but will they be allowed to keep them for protecting themselves and their families at home?
Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw and all the others want you to “fight for America’s freedom.” But I ask you this: Where is this your freedom? I am an Alabamian first! Then a Southron, finally an American. The state motto is, We dare defend our rights!
Until they show me they will defend my rights, I’ll fly only Alabama and Southern flags. And, if I have to fight Muslims, it will be under my flags, not the banner of those who let them in here. Our standards still mean today what they have always meant. I can’t say that about the federal flag.
If America belongs to the world – as the liberals say it does – where does that leave us? Are we to just hang around until they decide to get rid of us, as with the original Native Americans displaced by whomever they consider more progressive, those who will accept their globalism and New World Order? An order, by the way, that does not include us; never has nor will.
Or can people learn the meaning of true freedom and security – to defend against enemies both foreign and domestic? If I live to see that day then I shall also fly the U.S. flag, for it will really be an American one. Until that day, take care. God Bless Alabama. Dixie Forever!
Better start flying 50 state flags if you're gonna support the troops who are gonna die for you several thousand miles away.
The muddying of the terms nation and country do not help in understanding this issue. Consider how many times you hear the expression "country" when it is the "nation" which is being referred to.
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