September 18, 2008
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Right or wrong.
We don't always get along, the two of us. Sure, we have our times where I enjoy the company, feel passionate about her and couldn't more proud of all she has achieved, but there are also times when I disagree with what she wants and also times when her actions hurt me like a hemlock-laden dagger to the right ventricle. But despite the bad or hard times that may befall us, despite our different views and origins, I made a commitment to her and I am going to stand by her side come what may. I am not going to desert or impugn her just because I feel slighted. Who am I talking about? My wife? No. I'm talking about my country.
America is my country, right or wrong.
Throughout the past couple of presidential elections I have been amazed at how rotten things have become in the hearts of many Americans. Patriotism, though not dead, is certainly gravely ill.
I can only shake my head in shame when I observe the social thuggery, bullying, slander and "swift boat" tactics that are being used by BOTH the McCain and Obama campaigns/supporters. But that does not bother me as much as seeing all the people burning flags, hoisting the Stars and Stripes upside down and shouting slogans that basically say, "America sucks!" Add to that the celebrities from the last election who said they'd move out of the country if Bush won again. (Interestingly enough, all those celebrities with ricepaper morals are still living here, collecting their millions and storing up treasures on earth that won't go with them into the next world.)
I'd like to see all the aforementioned people try to do those same things in Myanmar, North Korea, China or Iran and see if they will still go home to their children without two to the chest and head.
The vitriol is unbelievable at times. I wrote a post about how I thought that it was inappropriate when Obama went on national television and generalized that Asians from Hawaii are short and I received messages from people saying that *I* was the one being racist and judgmental. (Imagine that. I guess they forgot that I ragged on McCain for saying "gook" on a prior post.)
This is America. This is still the best damn country in the world, and, honestly, if you are the type that would seriously threaten to leave or think our country sucks just because McCain wins or you'll retreat to the hills and think that the country has gone to the crapper if Obama wins then do us all a favor and just leave now. You are not part of the solution. This does not mean that we should not hold our government accountable. This does not mean that we should not be critics and call out our leaders for the injustices that we see. This does not mean that we should not protest (nonviolently) in the streets when the spirit of the law has gone awry. No. This just means that after all is said and done, remember that all of us, Democrats and Republicans, are all Americans living in the same house dealing with the same problems and fighting against the same enemies who rejoice at the thought of seeing our freedoms destroyed. (Don't forget...the World Trade Center was bombed twice...once with Bill Clinton as president and once with George W. Bush as president. Do you think they care who is in the white house?) This is your country and you should stand by it. If you don't agree with the leadership then go out and work and make a difference in your community instead of whining and complaining while reaping the benefits of our free and secure society. You don't have to like your country, but you should respect it.
At this point I'm not too enamored of either ticket, but I am leaning towards voting for McCain (the reasons why are irrelevant to this post, though I'm sure someone will try to make it relevant), but if Obama wins I'm not going to move to Canada (despite how good the dim sum is in Vancouver). I'm not going to post "Obama Nation sucks" comments all over the internet. I'm not going to refuse to participate in a particular charity or community service event just because it was sponsored by Obama's representatives. What I'm going to do is pray for him and wish only the best for his health and wisdom because he will be my president, right or wrong.
America is my country, right or wrong. When it is right, I will rejoice. When it is wrong, I will fight to make it right. But no matter what happens, I won't desert or dishonor it.
I hope that you would do the same, regardless of who wins this November.
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We'll return to your regularly scheduled Franksabunch™ programming soon! Don't unsubscribe, Obama supporters! Haha! Have a great Thursday and a wonderful weekend!
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And just to show y'all that I'm an equal opportunity critic, check out this family picture from People Magazine.
Notice how they put the brown-skinned daughter (I believe she was adopted from an orphanage in Bangladesh?) in the bottom corner, almost out of view underneath the prettiest daughter with the big gazongas? What's up with that, homie?!?!
Edit: By the way, I didn't come up with that "my country, right or wrong" line. I stole it from the song "My Country" by Midnight Oil. (They're one of my back in the day faves...a sociopolitically conscious group from Australia...kind of like U2 before Bono smoked too much hashish and started thinking he was the 2nd coming of Jesus.)
Comments (30)
To answer your last question: Ridiculous, that's what!
And your post is beautiful. We need more people who would say this about their countries.
i dunno...i think the brown daughter's gazangas would give Miss Pushupbra's tata's a run for their money...and i couldn't agree more with your article...no matter who wins the election, this country will survive...people who get overly emotional about the process crack me up....
We live in the greatest country in the world, for sure. Excellent post. I'm happy tialoca_talks recommended it!
I just read that issue of People last night.
I'm happy you're back and posting! Hope everything is great in Hawaii!
Interesting way the pic has been put together, then again if she was put up top with the rest of the kids that might have been noted as 'trying too hard' also. Sometimes you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
So what am I then, if I want to move to the US from the UK, recognising the US as the 'best damn country in the world', regardless of whoever wins the election?
And just how tall are you again?
finally some honesty and raw simplicity amidst what's been a joke of a campaign for both sides, basically just ragging on each other.
in short, the bigger pictures holds true, the love for one's country and despite who wins, even if he's not the one you supported, you still respect your country and make it the best damn one that you can.
good stuff!
Wonderfully written-you put into words what I've been thinking lately.
I love NYC and much of what America stands for. But I haven't made any such "commitment for life" pledge to stay here. Yes, there are impoverished/ war-torn/ communist countries where people are worse off. But there are also a number of other developed countries that have a lot to offer.
I would not automatically leave if McCain/ Palin won. But if their administration implements changes that are detrimental to my quality of life (e.g. poor fiscal policies that devalue the worth of my currency, reverse Roe V Wade, etc), then why shouldn't I have the right to consider living elsewhere?
I'll drink to that!
Whenever I actually hear candidates actually talk about their own issues as opposed to busy talking about the other, more respect I have for them.
Amen!!! Christ died for all including republicans and democrats, so we need to remember that and love our neighbors as ourselves, democrat or republican. Blessings!
So I guess you're not like Josh Howard, eh?
on behalf of vancouver dimsum, thanks!
*gasp*
unsubscribes.
WHY WHY WHY?!!?!
*click Unsubscribe*
america needs more franksabunch. come november, i'm writing you in on my ballot.
Franksabunch for President! Good post!
its good to hear someone with a different political opinon make semi non-political sense.
unsubbing right now!=P
great post. i'm all about america. it's so easy to take it for granted when you are born/raised here. i always realize how lucky i am when i encounter people like my boss who's from armenia. he asked me this past 4th of july, "what do you like best about america? .... besides the feedom, of course." he definitely doesn't take it for granted.
yes we love america, too. but come on! in the greatest country like america, how come those 2 people are all we get to choose from? that is depressing, my friend. and as for mcstay....hmmmmm.....
the son with the navy blue on is hot...aww jeah. oh sorry, i was dreaming again.
couldnt have said it better
I bet you the dumb ass who seated everyone for the shoot didnt think about what you pointed out
and
neither
did the person who picked out the final photos for the layout.
aww where chu go my oceania friend ?!
Firstly, I love how you can give "bags of poi"... I haven't had poi in over a year and I totally miss it. Maybe with some really good poke on the side. YUM! But anyways, I love this post... it's a good reminder that whoever wins, we'll live through it and we won't all die or kill ourselves. And oh, clearly Obama hasn't been shopping down in Waikiki lately... there's some super tall Asian chicks hitting those stores. I only notice because I'm 5'2" and well, they were not lol
Us Libertarians are Americans, too!
Hope life's treatin' you well, Doc. ^_^
Great Post! I also get tired at the all the complaining. "Don't ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" is still a great saying even if I didn't agree with the author's politics!
I agree! ...it's interesting, my bosses don't even allow talking poorly about the COMPANY...
LOL about the brown kid.
How many of his children are adopted?
Nihilism is the latest flavor de jour for most Americans. It's so much easier to rant and bitch without contributing than to take sides and face the heat. People are cowardly to live in America, raised in America, but claim they're not American. Because the moment you say you're American, let alone proud to be one, you are enemy number one everywhere you go. By saying you're proud to be American, everyone automatically assumes you love Bush and his policies, and that you're stereotyped into a cowboy diplomacy/manifest destiny type of believer. What many people don't understand is that there's nothing more patroitic than criticizing the country as long as you're offering solutions and doing something about making it better.
Great Post!
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