Muslim-American; African-American; Korean-American, etc....We're all just Americans!
But wait...according to the pc police, that isn't true. Nope. If you are of African descent, you are an African-American. If you came from Japan, you are a Japanese-American; If you are from Italy, you are Italian-American.
Ok, I'll stop. You get the point.
My issue here is that all the enthicities, religions, etc. make up who we are as a country. However, groups that are 'out there' want to constantly remind us that we are individuals to the point of ludicrousy.
Pop Quiz: If you are a citizen of the United States of America, are you American...Yes, or No?
Why qualify the answer? You either are an American, or you are not.
The pc labels so blithely tossed about these days teach us more about segregation than integration. Why should we distinguish our heritage (no matter how far back you go to "the old country") above our citizenship? Our histories (as people) teach us where we came from, and the road traveled to where we are today. They are wonderful for learning, growing, and appreciating the trials, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before.
But when we place our [past] cultural heritage above our current citizenship, and isolate ourselves behind labels and pride, we are only isolating ourselves from learning about each other, and helping one another to excel, and to move forward.
I am of Swedish descent...a mere 4 generations removed from the land of my great-grandparents' birth. Am I a Swedish American? No way. I am red, white and blue--through and through. I grew up seeing the racial divide of the late 60's and early 70's. My best friend at the time was of African descent. I didn't care. He was my friend.
But when I see group after group of whatever special interest (or ethnic background) to which they belong single themselves out by saying "We're (this or that) American," I just cringe. At the same time, I am saddened that we, as a country, have allowed ourselves to be labeled demographically apart from each other.
Yes, we should all be proud of where we come from. Aside from the Native population, we are ALL immigrants (most by choice...others not). Our differences constitute what makes this nation great.
But above being proud of where we came from, we should be far more proud to be an American; to be a citizen of THE greatest country on the earth. I hope that one day, the pc police will go the way of the dinosaur, and instead of being reminded of our differences, we are all able to hold our heads high and be proud to be an American. No qualifiers, no addendums. Just American.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Dubya Is At It Again
Well folks, it looks like Dubya is at it again. This time he has eliminated the Presidental Ban on off-shore drilling [of oil, natural gas] against the wishes of Congress, and most (if not all) of the affected Governors in the Lower 48. (yes, he still has to convince Congress to make a similar move, but the very nature of the repeal is very telling.)
Why? Well, HE states it is to help relieve oil prices and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
...Good one, Mr. Prez...
Did he forget to mention that we won't have any usable oil for at least ten years? Or that this will do absolutely no good in lowering the current speculative run-up in the world-wide oil prices?
OF COURSE HE DIDN'T!
Mr. Bush is feeding the American people a pile of horse poo the size of his beloved Texas.
What's really behind this desire to drill off-shore? Well, remember everyone, Mr.Bush made his fortune in oil. His administration has shown throughout the past eight years that oil, energy companies, and special interests are more important than the desire of the American people, and the safety of our environment. He first showed this right after he took office when he scrapped the strict environmental regulations on power and industrial plants that had been placed to assure cleaner air for everyone.
Next, his friends at Enron suddenly created an energy shortage in the Pacific Northwest that made Enron (and Ken Lay and cronies) billions--a shortage that did not exist at all until Dubya took office.
Further, our most hated president (according to all the polls) eliminated the roadless forests act that was enacted as the result of the polling and input of some three million Americans.
Yes, our President is seemingly doing this not for the benefit of the American people. In my opinion, it is a very thinly veiled attempt to put more money into the coffers of the oil companies--friends our beloved Dubya has rubbed elbows with for years. And don't think he's the only one in his administration either.
Our Secretary of State, Condaleeza Rice once sat on the Board of Exxon. She even has a Super Tanker named after her. (Yeah...True!).
This is about money--plain and simple; and it seems that our President will do whatever he can to guarantee he and his cronies (a term aptly used by Lee Iacocca) have a huge, steady income for years.
Money...it makes this President go round...
Why? Well, HE states it is to help relieve oil prices and reduce dependence on foreign oil.
...Good one, Mr. Prez...
Did he forget to mention that we won't have any usable oil for at least ten years? Or that this will do absolutely no good in lowering the current speculative run-up in the world-wide oil prices?
OF COURSE HE DIDN'T!
Mr. Bush is feeding the American people a pile of horse poo the size of his beloved Texas.
What's really behind this desire to drill off-shore? Well, remember everyone, Mr.Bush made his fortune in oil. His administration has shown throughout the past eight years that oil, energy companies, and special interests are more important than the desire of the American people, and the safety of our environment. He first showed this right after he took office when he scrapped the strict environmental regulations on power and industrial plants that had been placed to assure cleaner air for everyone.
Next, his friends at Enron suddenly created an energy shortage in the Pacific Northwest that made Enron (and Ken Lay and cronies) billions--a shortage that did not exist at all until Dubya took office.
Further, our most hated president (according to all the polls) eliminated the roadless forests act that was enacted as the result of the polling and input of some three million Americans.
Yes, our President is seemingly doing this not for the benefit of the American people. In my opinion, it is a very thinly veiled attempt to put more money into the coffers of the oil companies--friends our beloved Dubya has rubbed elbows with for years. And don't think he's the only one in his administration either.
Our Secretary of State, Condaleeza Rice once sat on the Board of Exxon. She even has a Super Tanker named after her. (Yeah...True!).
This is about money--plain and simple; and it seems that our President will do whatever he can to guarantee he and his cronies (a term aptly used by Lee Iacocca) have a huge, steady income for years.
Money...it makes this President go round...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
An Introduction
Hello out there.
I created this blog as an outlet to the incredibley ludicrous things I see going on around me on a local, regional, national, and worldwide basis that just don't seem to make sense.
These will be subjects that may or may not matter to you, but are nonetheless important to everyone in that even the little things can affect us all.
I am a male, age 45, college educated, and pay close attention to the events that are happening all over whether it is local, or on a world stage. The things I write will seek to establish truth of the matter, with the occasional personal viewpoint. Whether you [the reader] agree with me or not, the points I make will still be valid, and should be a reason to pause and think about so that somehow, somewhere, things might start to change for the better, and our world a little less idiotic.
Now, I know that some of you reading this blog will say that my knowledge on a particular subject is lacking; well, that's fine. I don't claim to be an absolute authority on anything. I am simply pointing out things which are foolish, stupid, or otherwise don't make sense.
I will never try to convince anyone on my points of view. You choose to believe what you want. Again, I am merely stating what I see as the idiocies that surround us all.
I created this blog as an outlet to the incredibley ludicrous things I see going on around me on a local, regional, national, and worldwide basis that just don't seem to make sense.
These will be subjects that may or may not matter to you, but are nonetheless important to everyone in that even the little things can affect us all.
I am a male, age 45, college educated, and pay close attention to the events that are happening all over whether it is local, or on a world stage. The things I write will seek to establish truth of the matter, with the occasional personal viewpoint. Whether you [the reader] agree with me or not, the points I make will still be valid, and should be a reason to pause and think about so that somehow, somewhere, things might start to change for the better, and our world a little less idiotic.
Now, I know that some of you reading this blog will say that my knowledge on a particular subject is lacking; well, that's fine. I don't claim to be an absolute authority on anything. I am simply pointing out things which are foolish, stupid, or otherwise don't make sense.
I will never try to convince anyone on my points of view. You choose to believe what you want. Again, I am merely stating what I see as the idiocies that surround us all.
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