Patriotism Part 2

It is said that the enemy today is terrorism. We’re told to be constantly on guard, which we should be. But infringing on the freedoms of Americans, by our own government, will never help to keep us safe or to keep us free no matter how trivial those infringements may seem.

Those who think that with enough concessions and enough government control and watchfulness we can win the war on terrorism, are only fooling themselves. Look at other nations who face terrorism, and who have much less freedom than we have here. Does that get rid of the terrorism? No. Israel has soldiers patrolling their streets every day, yet they still have several terrorist attacks per week. Giving up freedom is no guarantee that you will be safe.

For those who think that the freedoms that are being relinquished are trivial or unimportant, I would bet they have never lived without all the freedoms that they enjoy here (and most likely take for granted). If there was a way that they could find and speak to one of the founders who fought for our freedom and ask if they thought these things we’re giving up were a “small and trivial” price to pay for safety, I can imagine what the answer would be. I’ll bet the founder would, in their most colonial eloquence, tell off the wanna-be patriot in a way that would make their entire head glow red with embarrassment.

After 9/11 there were tons of conversations wondering how we could prevent further terrorist attacks in an open (free) society like we had before that day. As much as people want to find a way to have a free society without terrorism, the fact is that we can’t. We are a country who has enemies who are willing to strike in the most cowardly, and creative ways possible. There is no way that we can assure our safety with out forfeiting out freedom.

We hear all the time how we are fighting a war against terrorists. The common way of thinking seems to be that if we can find them all, or kill them all, that terrorism will be gone and we can go back to our “free” lives. That isn’t how it is at all.

On 9/11 we were forced across a line that we can never go back over. We realized that it was possible for enemies to strike at any of us, anywhere we are. The terrorists succeeded in their effort the moment the first plane hit the World Trade Center; the other three planes were just to drive the point home even more. They made Americans afraid. They turned us into a people who, in general, are much more concerned with feeling safe than holding true to the things that our country was founded, and stood the previous 200 years, on.

I’m sure that if I had a national voice where people heard me every day, I’d probably piss off lots of people with what I’m about to say. But it’s the truth, and I don’t care if people get pissed or not.

Anyone, from the highest government officials to the lowest hobo hitching a ride in a stock car, who is willing to give up ANY of the freedoms that the founders (who were the original patriots) sacrificed so much for us to have just so they can feel safe, isn’t worthy to even hold the title of “American,” let alone “Patriot.”

Those who are truly patriots today are the ones who hold to the values of the original patriots. They are the ones who are willing to risk safety for the sake of freedom because although they may have never had to live without freedom like the founders did, they appreciate the sacrifices those people made to give us the freedoms we have. Those freedoms came with a price and although we’ve never had to know life without them, we shouldn’t be so quick to give them up.

*

“You spoonfed us Saturday morning mouthfuls of maggots

and lies, disguised in your sugary breakfast cereals.

These plates you made us clean were filled with your fears.

These things have hardened in our soft, pink bellies.

We are what you have made us.

We have grown up watching your television.

We are a symptom of your Christian America,

the biggest Satan of all.

This is your world in which we grow.

And we will grow to hate you.”

*

Marilyn Manson