The Beer Bytch LOVES Her Country

The first of what I'm sure will be many editorials... taken from the "Miami Herald" by Leonard Pitts, Jr. September 13, 2001

We'll go forward from this moment. It's my job to have something to say. They pay me to provide words that help make sense of that which troubles the American soul. But in this moment of airless shock when hot tears sting disbelieving eyes, the only thing I can find to say, the only words that seem to fit, must be addressed to the unknown author of this suffering. You monster. You beast. You unspeakable bastard. What lesson did you hope to teach us by your coward's attack on our World Trade Center, our Pentagon, us? What was it you hoped we would learn? Whatever it was, please know that you failed.

Did you want us to respect your cause? You just damned your cause. Did you want to make us fear? You just steeled our resolve. Did you want to tear us apart? You just brought us together. Let me tell you about my people. We are a vast and quarrelsome family, a family rent by racial, social, political and class division, but a family nonetheless. We're frivolous, yes, capable of expending tremendous emotional energy on pop cultural minutiae-a singer's revealing dress, a ball team's misfortune, a cartoon mouse. We're wealthy, too, spoiled by the ready availability of trinkets and material goods, and maybe because of that, we walk through life with a certain sense of blithe entitlement. We are fundamentally decent, though-peace-loving and compassionate. We struggle to know the right thing and to do it. And we
are, the overwhelming majority of us, people of faith, believers in a just and loving God.

Some people-you, perhaps-think that any or all of this makes us weak. You're mistaken. We are not weak. Indeed, we are strong in ways that cannot be measured by arsenals.

Yes, we're in pain now. We are in mourning and we are in shock. We're still grappling with the unreality of the awful thing you did, still working to make ourselves understand that this isn't a special effect from some Hollywood blockbuster, isn't the plot development from a Tom Clancy novel. Both in terms of the awful scope of their ambition and the probable final death toll, your attacks are likely to go down as the
worst acts of terrorism in the history of the United States and, probably, the history of the world. You've bloodied us as we have never been bloodied before.

But there's a gulf of difference between making us bloody and making us fall. This is the lesson Japan was taught to its bitter sorrow the last time anyone hit us this hard, the last time anyone brought us such abrupt
and monumental pain. When roused, we are righteous in our outrage, terrible in our force. When provoked by this level of barbarism, we will bear any suffering, pay any cost, go to any length, in the pursuit of justice.

I tell you this without fear of contradiction. I know my people, as you, I think, do not. What I know reassures me. It also causes me to tremble with dread of the future.

In the days to come, there will be recrimination and accusation, fingers pointing to determine whose failure allowed this to happen and what can be done to prevent it from happening again. There will be heightened
security, misguided talk of revoking basic freedoms. We'll go forward from this moment sobered, chastened, sad. But determined, too. Unimaginably determined.

You see, the steel in us is not always readily apparent. That aspect of our character is seldom understood by people who don't know us well. On this day, the family's bickering is put on hold.

As Americans we will weep, as Americans we will mourn, and as Americans, we will rise in defense of all that we cherish. So I ask again: What was it you hoped to teach us? It occurs to me that maybe you just wanted us to know the depths of your hatred. If that's the case, consider the message received. And take this message in exchange: You don't know my people. You don't know what we're capable of. You don't know what you just started. But you're about to learn.

TRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES America: The Good Neighbor.
This, from a Canadian newspaper, is worth sharing.

"Widespread but only partial news coverage was given recently to a remarkable editorial broadcast from Toronto by Gordon Sinclair, a Canadian television and radio Commentator. He can be heard daily on CJAD 800 AM radio. What follows is the full text of his trenchant remarks as printed in the Congressional Record:

"This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as the most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts.

None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When France was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it.

When earthquakes hit distant cities, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans.

I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tri-Star, or the Douglas DC10?

If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American Planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese
technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - not once, but several times - and safely home again.

You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here.

When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the Americans who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke.

I can name you 5000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake.

Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their nose at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those."

Stand proud, America! Wear it proudly!!"

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School officials remove "God Bless America" signs from schools in fear that someone might be offended.

Channel 12 News in Long Island, New York, orders flags removed from the newsroom and red, white, and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of reporters. Why? Management did not want to appear biased and felt that our nations flag might give the appearance that "they lean one way or another".

Berkeley, California bans US Flags from being displayed on city fire trucks because they didn't want to offend anyone in the community.

In an "act of tolerance" the head of the public library at Florida Gulf Coast University ordered all "Proud to be an American" signs removed so as to not offend international students.

I, for one, am quite disturbed by these actions of so-called American citizens; and I am tired of this nation worrying about whether or not we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on September 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However, the dust from the attacks had barely settled in New York and Washington, DC when the "politically correct" crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. In fact, our country's population is almost entirely comprised of descendants of immigrants; however, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some native Americans, need to understand.

First of all, it is not our responsibility to continually try not to offend you in any way. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans, we have our own culture, our own society, our own language, and our own lifestyle. This culture, called the "American Way" has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. Our forefathers fought, bled, and died at places such as Bunker Hill, Antietam, San Juan, Iwo Jima, Normandy, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf, for our way of life.

We speak English, not Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society - learn our language!

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some off-the-wall, Christian, Right Wing, political slogan - it is our national motto. It is engraved in stone in the House of Representatives in our Capitol and it is printed on our currency. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation; and this is clearly documented throughout our history. If it is appropriate for our motto to be inscribed in the halls of our highest level of Government, then it is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools.

God is in our pledge, our National Anthem, nearly every patriotic song, and in our founding documents. We honor His birth, death, and resurrection as holidays, and we turn to Him in prayer in times of crisis. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture and we are proud to have Him.

We are proud of our heritage and those who have so honorably defended our freedoms. We celebrate Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Flag Day. We have parades, picnics, and barbecues where we proudly wave our flag. As an American, I have the right to wave my flag, sing my national anthem, quote my national motto, and cite my pledge whenever and wherever I choose. If the Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet.

The American culture is our way of life, our heritage, and we are proud of it. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. We are Americans, like it or not, this is our country, our land, and our lifestyle.

Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion about our government, culture, or society, and we will allow you every opportunity to do so. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about our flag, our pledge, our national motto, or our way of life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great American freedom, the right to leave.

Dear Fellow Americans:

As I reflect upon the national tragedy that took place yesterday, I am poignantly reminded of the precious and delicate nature of the freedoms and privileges that we all cherish as Americans. Words simply cannot begin to convey the feelings that I have inside following the events of 9/11. I think this is a prime opportunity for all of us to take time for reflection. It is far too easy in this day and age to forget about all those men and women who came before us that made the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of freedom and democracy so that we may enjoy the life we have in this country.

We all become so busy with our families and careers that it is easy to lose sight of the freedoms we enjoy. Let us never forget lest we lose sight of the fundamental principles upon which this great nation was founded. This nation was founded upon the principles that all men are created equal and are born with certain unalienable rights. Yesterday's events were a direct attack on our founding principles. I, for one, am very passionate about these principles. I am passionate about my country. I love my country and all it symbolizes.

I am willing to give my all for my country. This attack is deeply personal to me. These are the things that come to my mind on the heels of this tragedy. It is a poignant reminder of my own personal freedom in this country. It is said that one never values what one has until one no longer has it. This tragedy has presented me with the opportunity to value all that I have and enjoy as an American.

Appreciate all that you have while you have it. This tragedy demonstrates how it can all change in the blink of an eye. Our way of life should be preserved for posterity as it was preserved for us many, many times. This requires us to unite as Americans. We must set aside our internal struggles and differences and face the world with one voice. This is the only way we will ensure that our children and our children's children enjoy the same freedoms and privileges that we enjoy today. If you value anything in your life today then you must realize that you have an obligation to our nation and the freedom it represents. Remember those Americans who sacrificed everything for freedom. Never forget them. We owe that to them.

Please remember all of the Americans that perished in yesterday's tragedy. They are our countrymen. Honor them by keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.

God bless you and God bless America!

American Patriot,
Scott MacWithey

I watched with the rest of the world in shock, horror and anger as I saw the second plane slam into the WTC. Even further shocked as I learned of the Pentagon's attack just minutes later. I kept thinking "This SHIT doesn't happen in the USA!" Incredible sadness soon replaced the horror. I saw that horrible image over and over.. even in my sleep. I will be forever haunted by September 11th.. the day America woke up and realized that we are not as invincible as we thought we were. It was a HELL of a wake up call. I for one have learned something from this horrible disaster, and that's to value my time spent with my family, friends and pets, because in the blink of one horrifying minute it could all be gone. I am afraid, yes.. I'd be lying out my ass if I said I wasn't, but I am also angry.

I am angry that so many innocent families are hurting. I want to see the deaths of these innocent people properly avenged. I cried for days for folks I never knew. I can only imagine the grief their families are coping with. I grieve for their losses as well. This has hit everyone hard. I admire the steely resolve of our pilots and flight attendants that they still provide the best service they can, even in times like these. I pray every time I see a plane overhead. I pray that God is sitting between pilot and co -pilot and keeping them safe.

What angers me the most about this, I guess, besides the needless and tragic loss of life is that America opened its doors to these people.. these people of Middle Eastern descent.. and some of them turned on America like a spoiled brat, or a rabid dog. It angers me that this is how they chose to repay America. America, the land of opportunity.. they stab her in the back, and try their damndest to destroy her because they hate the very thought of freedom. Well if they hate freedom so goddamn much, then they should return to their homeland and their way of life and let us live our separate lives in peace. These terrorists failed in destroying our beautiful America. They failed.

Anthems such as "America the Beautiful," "God Bless America" and "My country tis of thee" have so much more meaning to me now. I tear up when I hear them.. and I think of the even further loss of life as we head to war. But these lives, the lives of our troops will NOT be lost in vain. I am proud of the fact that I AM AN AMERICAN, I am proud of my fellow Americans flying their flags, volunteering, giving blood, donating money, demonstrating kindness in the very face of Evil amongst us. I only hope this feeling of brotherhood and support lasts even after the war is won. It is a damn shame it takes a hard hit to the gut to make us respect and love one another. We are not black or white, yellow or red, Yankee or Southerner. We are not Irish Americans, German Americans, or Polish Americans. WE are ALL Americans that Love the flag, love our country and will stand up for justice for our friends and family and fellow Americans that perished. And if you don't like that, then you need to go back to your own damn country.

I was raised in a Navy family, with my father and uncle both serving, and was taught at an EARLY age to love my country and my flag *both of them.. American and Texas* It pisses me off that these "people" have little or no regard for that. I know we are strong as a nation.. united in our desire to see these animals punished to the fullest. I will stand behind my President, and pray for the leadership of our country. God Bless America, God Bless President Bush, God bless our Police & Firemen, God Bless our troops, God bless us ALL.