The New Semblance of Normal: The Beginning of the Aftereffects
The
shock has worn off, the pain and scars never will.
Now is the time for healing and retribution.
Now is the time for reflection over where we’ve been, and foresight
into where we’re going. The
lessons will be many, the path will be long, but necessary, and in the end, we
will be stronger, more united, wiser, and a better nation for it. The
greatest lesson to be learned, I believe, is one that applies to all aspects of
life, relevant in mine especially. The
lesson of not taking things for granted. Not
friendships, not freedoms, not family, nothing!
America
has awakened, finally, with sharp, harsh wake up call of these religiously
motivated madmen. It took a group
of twenty something atypical zealots from around the cradle of creation, to wake
this country up, and make it realize, as few had before, how good we have it
here. We have freedom, and others
envy it. We have unity, when
motivated, to do anything. It just
takes extreme measures, from persecution and oppression, to dead on attacks on
our own, to make us realize how fucking wonderful our country, and its citizens,
really are. Be proud to wave a
flag. Be proud to go out and vote.
Sing your national anthem; know the words to it, and your pledge of
allegiance. I hate to say it, but
these madmen had something we have, but never show. An intense love for a cause
or belief. However misguided,
stupid and vicious, they were willing to die for it.
How many Americans could have said that before September 11th,
very few, even those in our Armed Forces I dare say.
I can say that, because I used to be one of them.
I served my country, in times of peace, and war, never believing, nor
never sure, if I would truly be willing to die for what I said I believed in.
As I usually do, I said the words, even convinced myself that I believed
them, but I don’t think I truly did. For as great a country as we claim to be,
we lacked the national pride and patriotism that so many other countries were
light years ahead of us in. These
madmen delivered a painfully vicious wake-up call that I’m sad to say we
needed. Let’s not it die.
For those who are missing and dead, we cannot, ever again, let our guard,
or our love of what we have down. We
cannot take for granted what we have. If
you don’t realize what we have, then read this following quote, and understand
it’s meaning.
“We
don’t appreciate what we have, until its not available to us, or taken away
from us”
I
have witnessed, and been a part of societies that would die to be able to do as
we do, be where we are, have the chances that we have.
And yet what do we do, we pissed it away, taking for granted that it
would be there at our luxury and leisure. Well
guess what folks, wake the fuck up, and keep your eyes open this time.
We don’t have it as good as we think, because what’s the good in
having something, if you don’t take advantage of it.
The changes that these horrific
events have brought about will be long lasting and far reaching I hope. As I
rode down the street the other day, fixing one of those "normal"
occurrences in my life that used to be large, flags flying and waving, ribbons
worn, donations being taken. The
speech by President Bush the other night, the concert of unity amongst those
perceived as vain and uncaring as a whole, the outpourings of money, the acts of
selfless patriotism, compassion and concurrently takes my breath away and
touches me to the very core of my being. Am I being a bit dramatic? maybe but
this is a time for extremes, extreme actions call for extreme reactions and
words, and these are mine.
Right
now, there are no more Republicans or Democrats, but there will be again.
There are no liberals or conservatives, just minds, hearts and souls united
together, as they should be. Galvanized by actions intended to divide,
bonded by tragedy and showing why we indeed are the greatest country in the
world. It has been said over and over, but I believe it cannot be said
enough. I am proud to be an American. I have served my country, in
peace and in war. I, like most, had become lax in my freedoms and
securities that this country provides. I'd like to say that this
wouldn’t happen again, to me, or to anyone. I pray that it doesn't, but
I fear that it will. Please America, be proud of the flag, be proud of
what it represents, and be proud to be an American!
But
then there are those things that make me ashamed, even in this time of great
patriotic fervor. There are those
heartless bastards who take advantage of need by falsely representing themselves
in order to make a buck. There are
those “entrepreneurs” who try to capitalize for their own greedy self gain,
by hiking prices in order to make a quick buck at a wounded nations expense.
I damn you all to the hell you deserve for this.
We are an open and giving people, but also gullible in the fulfillment of
a necessary area of need. I damn
those idiots who threaten with bombs, or violence, for what I gain I will never
understand. This is a sensitive time, and at least those assholes I
mentioned above are in it for their own twisted financial gain. What is your motivation?? Attention, go stand naked in the
middle of main street, that should do it. Self
gratification? Go rent one of those movies behind the little red curtain and
stay out of my fucking way. A cheap
thrill? Why not set some flaming dog crap on a porch and chuckle.
Why do you need to take advantage of a situation by pissing in an already
gaping social wound, and making us, as a nation cower more into a corner.
I will not let you win, and no punishment can be harsh enough.
Finally, there are those uneducated heathens who strike out based on
ethnic or aesthetic appearance of belief. Do
not hate someone or punish them, based on their country of origin, or worship of
choice. This makes you no better
than the people who did this. There
were Arabic’s who were killed, or are missing.
There are Afghanis, Pakistanis, Iraqis, all of who are also Americans,
who grieve along side us, hurt along with us, and desire retribution, and a
peaceful fulfillment of their own American dream.
Don’t punish them based on where their birthplace is on a map; judge
them on their actions, please, its what made America the melting pot that is.
Our open arms, which these madmen have tried to close.
Don’t let them. My words
are angry, and I am screaming them at the screen, so please listen, and please
heed them. Do it for me, do it for
those who are helping us through, and do it for those who will never have the
chance or choice to do it again. Remember
them this way, amongst others.
History of God Bless The USA - A summary of the book about one of America's new anthems
