This Is My Country and I Love Her

Ever since I can remember I have watched the election night coverage. My guy’s chance winning or losing, I watched. If my guy lost I was over it in about a second. Even the first time this goof got elected, but last night I could not watch.

I voted and I was full of “youthful” energy and hope. I am always optimistic and I believed there was a chance. This morning I read the news and I was stunned. I didn’t cry or scream or react in anyway. I was literally numb. As the day went on I bounced all over from anger to despair to worry, but now I am just determined.

I have no idea what this means. I really don’t, but it feels different. I am sad. I am sad for what this country has become. It used to be a place where people were proud of working hard and making their way and now it is cool to be famous for no reason and to get something from someone else’s hard work. People are proud to take from their neighbors.

All I know is that I am an American. I am proud of those that have come before me. Those that have fought and died and those that have fought and lived. I can think of no better way to honor them, to thank them, than to fight.

My love for this country is not dependent on who occupies the White House or how my neighbor votes. I like my life here. I like the ease of electricity and running water. I like all the comforts we have, but for me it’s not just words or rhetoric or fist shaking and I know for most all of you it isn’t either. I have no idea how far my words will be tested, but if I have learned anything over the past 20 months, it is that I know what is with fighting for and what is worth dying for and I have no intention of dying.

The world has always been uncertain with no promise of fame, fortune or happiness. Today for many it feels hopeless, but for me it is anything but. We are founded on the principles of idealism and hope and I intend to honor that ideal and all who fought for it with every ounce of my being.

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.  ~Abraham Lincoln

Patriotism… is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.  ~Adlai Stevenson

A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.  ~George William Curtis

There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream.  They are right.  It is the American dream.  ~Archibald MacLeish

If our country is worth dying for in time of war let us resolve that it is truly worth living for in time of peace.  ~Hamilton Fish

Least we not forget…

America is much more than a geographical fact.  It is a political and moral fact – the first community in which men set out in principle to institutionalize freedom, responsible government, and human equality.  ~Adlai Stevenson

Men love their country, not because it is great, but because it is their own. Seneca



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21 thoughts on “This Is My Country and I Love Her

  1. I have been numb all day. But, it makes me even more energetic in my beliefs & rights to keep preparing to allow me & mine to be self sufficient beyond their control. If we don’t ask anything from them maybe, just maybe, they will leave us alone. Especially if we only have enough to sustain ourselves.

  2. You know what? I felt the same as you for a brief moment. A bit of despair. Then I shook that off. Others have said it better than I today out here. I will get up tomorrow and take care of what I must do, much as you do. Then I will watch how how the Basic Pistol and Concealed Carry classes go yet again after the 2008 Election cycle. I predict it will be the same.

    I have never served in active duty to this Country, but I feel I do in some subtle respects. I will watch the panic buying of Firearms and Ammo. I hope at least some that have no knowledge will wander by to hear what I have to say before they do.

    Keep going! Do what you do. Even better you do not have to get out your political statements to students. They are there, they want to learn how to run them. We have already won those people unless you DO spin the political statement. (IMHO)

    I look forward to shooting with you again soon!

    • Your a 100% right. I rarely talk politics with anyone. I live me life and do my thing. I talk here, but not in class or even with friends. Of course my friends share my views so…although I have learned that a few don’t.

  3. Good post. I was stunned too, but upon reflection I don’t know why. I voted for Romney but with great reluctance. Let’s face facts, the GOP ran a candidate that could not connect on a personal level with a great many people and Barack Obama, the Great Divider, took advantage of that.

    • Yes, they did, but you know what…we let the GOP. This decline has happened slowly and the American people have slowly let this happen. Not you, of course, but truly the attitude of something for nothing has run rampant.

  4. I went through much the same progression of emotions. Then I remembered that this is MY COUNTRY. I mean, seriously… If I bailed every time I was out numbered by stupid people I’d have to go live on an island somewhere 🙂

    • Perfectly stated. I’m not bugging out anywhere. This is my country and I pray that I am just being overly dramatic and that I will die at 98 with way too much rice in my basement, but regardless, I will die here.

  5. Hey Girl, I have to admit for the first time in my life I am truly ashamed of MY country…My flag will fly at half staff and in distress. Take care and stay safe, Joe.

    • I am ashamed of the people in my country. i am ashamed of my government, but never my country. I understand fully your sentiment. You take care and be safe too!!!!

  6. Please excuse my language here Girl but

    Dammit, that was well said. I am shamed. Thank you for the reminder of who I am.

    • It is hard to face what we have to face. It’s not just the hardships coming our way, we are not strangers to hard work or sacrifice, it is a loss of so much more and it hurts. I would have been shocked if you felt any other way than you did at first. You care!

  7. We will have some hard times to get through over the next few years.

    With great hardship comes great opportunity.

    Challenge accepted.

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