Proud to be an American?

Fifteen years ago today, for many people, the world stopped turning. If you didn't live in the eastern United States, odds are you woke up to some terrifying news. Unlike today, news wasn't quite as "instant". No Facebook. No twitter. No camera phones. I remember my alarm going off, and hearing Jon Carter on Arrow 103.5 talking about a plane hitting one of the Trade Towers. He didn't discount what was happening, but in my mind, I pictured a small Cessna. In fact, I don't exactly remember that he said Trade Tower or Center, maybe just a building, a high rise building. But as per my normal routine, I hit snooze. 7 minutes later, when the alarm went off again, I turned on the television to see the weather forecast. I got more than I bargained for. Weather became irrelevant. And with unbelieving eyes, I sat and watched destruction beyond belief. I can't fathom what it was like to be at Pearl Harbor. I can't imagine what it was like when the bombs fell on Japan. And I can only cry for those who were aboard the passenger jets, and for those in the Twin Towers. And for those First Responders who gave everything they had to help their fellow citizens. Looking back, it sure puts life's priorities into focus.

Who and why were unknown, and maybe still not totally known. But the how and what were playing out on live television and radio. The immediacy pf satellite links and cable were feeding us things we will never "unsee". The second plane hitting the tower. People jumping from heights unknown to escape a burning inferno. And inside those buildings and in the surrounding area, "ordinary" people trying to help others. Policemen. Firemen. EMTs. Co-workers, bosses and employees, anyone and everyone, trying to escape what must have been "hell on earth." I don't think skin color mattered. I don't think nationality mattered. All thrown into a situation that brought them to a place to find a common good. One person, helping another.

Maybe immigrants were more accepted in the early 1900's because so many of our citizens were recent immigrants. So many of us weren't "generations" removed from the arrival to this country. You know, our country has a motto. Many have no idea. There was a time when our unofficial motto was E Pluribus Unum. You've seen it on your folding money. "Out of many, one." It's fitting. Take a look at history, and how so many came to our country looking for a better life. For freedom. For a fresh start. They weren't looking to make the U.S.A. like the country they left. They were looking for the "American Dream." A place and a chance to improve. In 1956, our official motto became, "In God We Trust". Yes, you've seen that on your money, also. And you hear people say it. But don't believe it. Our elected officials seem hell bent on taking this country as far away as they can from a country that trusts in God. Or believes in God.

Fast forward to today. I'm not sure when the wheels fell off, but the wheels fell off. This isn't the America I was raised in. It's not the America that united 15 years ago, promising to "Never Forget!" People don't know their neighbors (I'm guilty). Kids can't walk or ride their bikes to school. Teachers don't teach so that our kids get an education. They teach so that the kids can pass a test. Thanks to Title IX, high school age males are now able to use the girls locker room to change. (I'm gonna tell you this. Any male wants to use the locker room my little girl or grand children are using, they may find it's much easier to identify as a girl before that day ends.) Government officials who are discovered or caught doing wrong are allowed to "Plead the Fifth" and then nothing ever happens. And people who are here illegally are given the same rights and privileges, if not more, than citizens who have spent a lifetime laboring, paying taxes, social security and more. Anymore, no one wants to accept blame. No one wants to accept responsibility. Musicians don't plagiarize, they "sample". Politicians don't lie, they "mis-speak" or "mis-remember" (never mind that videotape exists). And we have two people running for President that I wouldn't let run a high school student body government.

Photo from 2009. Senate members protesting by not standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.  They spent a month acting like children, turning the lights off on each other, and doing absolutely no business. And we paid them to do nothing.

Today we have protesters in the NFL who suddenly feel that they don't have to stand for the National Anthem. I don't want to hear that "it's their right!" I don't want to hear about oppression. In this case, I believe that they forfeited their right to do this when they signed their contracts. At that point in time, like it or not, agree or not, they accepted the responsibility of becoming a possible role model. Which they have all done. Colin Kaepernick said, "I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color, To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." And how is this working out? It's become a divisive issue. It's causing a bigger rift. And the NFL is allowing "role models" to let kids know that it's okay to be disrespectful when you want to make a statement. Or throw a tantrum to get your way. There are a lot of ways to make a statement. Positive ways. But what we are now allowing in our country, it's just wrong. I don't know what will happen with today's football games, and honestly, I don't care. The NFL stopped being relevant in my life the day Tom Landry was fired. And for these folks standing up for "racism", well, that's just what you are getting. A wider divide that takes us back in time when reacism was more rampant.  Maybe you rich NFL players could spend your money to work towards a positive goal, not a "look at me" goal.

Just remember. This is our home. This is our country. This is our time to make a difference. And it's almost time to elect a President. So do your homework, Use the internet for something positive and research the candidates. And use credible sources and current and relevant information. If the headline is, "You Won't Believe...", then don't believe, don't click, and move on. Do this for yourself. For your family. For your kids. Your grandkids. For the future of this country. It's your right to stand up and be counted. To be heard. .

God bless us all. And God bless America.