"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
The above quotation is, of course, taken from the United States Declaration of Independence. You know, that statement adopted on July 4, 1776 announcing that the thirteen colonies in this new land were no longer under British rule, and the first step toward forming the United States of America.
Somewhat ironic, isn't it... given what's happening on the southern border of the good ol' U.S. of A. right now?
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I admit, I have always struggled with this "Patriotic" holiday. More recently because it was on July 4, 1981 that Jane's dad died. Aside from that, though, I simply do not understand nationalistic pride. I mean, I have nothing against people celebrating the 4th of July, but I just don't get it.
As far as I'm concerned, I am an American only insofar as this is where I was born. It's nothing more and nothing less. If I were born in Canada, I would be a Canadian; if Africa, African. I don't feel any better or worse; superior or inferior. I yam what I yam.
I also understand that the illegal immigration issue is a complex and difficult situation. I agree there need to be rules, and likewise consequences. Yet, for the life of me, I do not see how any decent human being could look at the conditions we are keeping these people in - the mere fact of separating parents and children and keeping them in concentration camps - and feel good about that!!! I don't care what country you are from!
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I posted the above picture as a temporary profile on my Facebook page last night. I'd resisted the urge all day, and went back and forth on whether to write something or not. One person commented asking if it was a "statement of America or partisan politics." There was a lot I want/wanted to say... but I decided it was not worth dignifying with an answer.
For one thing, I don't even know what that means. As far as I'm concerned, it has nothing to do with partisan politics per se. Though one could argue that America is pretty much defined by partisan politics right now!
It is DEFINITELY a statement of (or about) America though. And I don't care if you're republican or democrat; tea party, socialist or nazi... I don't know how the fuck ANYBODY can be okay with what's happening! If that were your child or grandchild, what would you think?!? Would you wonder about partisan politics... or would you just want the fucking idiot politicians to figure out a way to make it work and stop the insanity?!!?!!
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Anyway... I felt bad posting the picture... I don't like to rain on people's parades (pun intended). Yet at the same time, I feel ashamed - as an American and as a human being - for not saying anything though. It is not right. It's not Christian. It's not humane. It is nothing but wrong.
ugh. There is so much... so stinking much. I was born here, therefore I am an American. If I were born elsewhere, I'd like to think I would be unsettled by injustice there too. Yet, I don't know that my lack of respect is as much at the perpetrators... or my own timidity...
Help me, Lord. Help us all.
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