The flag is not a religious symbol

Now I for one don't like seeing the American flag being torched. But it is free speech, and therefore protected. When's the last time you saw a Chinese flag burned in a protest in China, or an Iranian flag burned in a protest in Iran (against Iranian policies)? Would Saddam have allowed the Iraqi flag to be burned? Of course not!

I do think it's wrong to equate a national symbol with a religious symbol, or even put it on a similar footing with the same kind of reverence. In fact I believe it to be cultish and sacrilegious to accord the flag a religious symbol like status.

But isn't it interesting that right wingers get far more exercised over setting the flag on fire than they do setting a cross on fire.

A Bad Stump Speech Is Poor Tribute on Veterans Day

So what did the Bible Belt do to tick off God?

Last Tuesday the people of Dover, PA decided to replace all it's school board members there that were trying bring ID (intelligent design) to it's classroom.

Yesterday on the 700 Club, Rev. Pat Robertson said this about that:

“I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover. If there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city. And don’t wonder why He hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I’m not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that’s the case, don’t ask for His help because he might not be there.”

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't the most natural disasters (that man does not contribute to, such as not understanding topography when building in a landslide/mudslide area) happen in the Bible Belt?

With the exception of the occasional flood, errant tornado and bitter cold, very few disasters (by contrast) happen in the North East, or even the North or West. Most (hurricanes and tornadoes) seem to happen in the South, where luck would have it Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Franklin Graham et. al. are.

So if rejection of the Christian God in public school classrooms is going to bring out the wrath of God, or at the very least have God turn his/her back on an area, well then one's got to ask: "What did you all in the Bible Belt South do to tick off God so often and consistently?"

But maybe Rev. Robertson's mouth got him into trouble again because he just confirmed that ID is about a Christian Creator into the public school classroom. I'll let my kids learn about that in our church, thank you.

700 club Video
PFAW

Republicans show how they really feel about our service men and women

Being the ex-wife of a Vietnam Veteran I already knew they felt this way, so this really isn't any surprise. Whenever cuts, empty or broken promises have come to veterans, especially disabled veterans, it's usually Republicans who are doing it. Democrats usually restore benefits.

But this isn't even in the usual realm of subterfuge.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A proposal to end the long-standing practice of veterans groups addressing a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees is an insult to all who have fought, sacrificed and died to defend the Constitution, according to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). And in a strongly worded letter to House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), the DAV has urged him to continue the joint hearings as an invaluable tool in formulating public policy toward America's veterans.

Chairman Buyer recently announced that veterans service organizations will no longer have the opportunity to present testimony before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees.

"The tradition of legislative presentations by veterans service organizations dates back to at least the 1950s. And the timing of this announcement -- just before Veterans Day -- could not have been worse," said DAV National Commander Paul W. Jackson.

Veterans Lash Out at Loss of Voice on Capitol Hill
Veterans Day Outrage

The fifty gafaws of a president

The sad thing is that there is enough material to fill up all fifty stars and then some. I was saying to my nephew the other day that every time I hear the president say "ta" instead of "to" it irritates, like fingernails on a chalk board. His elemtary school English teacher must be turning over in her/his grave. I know it causes other English teachers to have nightmares.

BTW how can this guy talk about literacy and "no child left behind" when he is proud that he doesn't read? Oxymoron?

This is funny though:

George Bush Misunderestimated

Black Fridays

Black Friday's are our answer to the Red Fridays we found out about on Americablog this past Saturday. The original letter (below) is being circulated among right wingers. This is our answer, please send to your friends and relatives, make Friday's black.

*** begin cut and paste *****

BLACK FRIDAYS --- Very soon you will see a great many people wearing Black every Friday. Why? Because while we are true and patriotic Americans who support our men and women who serve our country, we are concerned that we were lied into a war that had no planning, troops poorly outfitted and under supported, and clearly no plans to win the peace. We are now mired in a conflict with no foreseeable end.

We love our country and we support our service men and women, even when the government continues to break their promises to them. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We will probably get no media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops, but do not support the poorly planned war that is draining our resources and crippling us at home. Our answer and idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home. We hope to send a defining message that the majority of Americans who love this country, and support those who serve, are deeply disturbed by this White House and how we entered into this war. We will wear black.

By word of mouth, email, blogs, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of black. War is not a game, it is not a homecoming, it is something to be taken seriously. As seriously as those, who now number over 2,000, took it when they gave up their lives in the service of this country.

Our patriotism, our love of this country and the people in it should never be questioned. If every one of us will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLACK. It is not pleasant, nor a raucous party but it is the color of mourning, respect, concern and solemnity with which we believe war truly is.

We will not wear the Friday red of others and celebrate the spilling of blood, bloodlust or join a cheering section of those who celebrate the loss of our men and women in arms. As they said in their letter: “THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED!”.

Show your love of your fellow man, those men and women in arms, and this country by letting the world and this administration know that those who fight have your utmost respect, that you will not forget them and that their lives and their blood are taken seriously. That they deserve a government and a people who take it seriously too.

Wear black every Friday until our service people come home.

IF YOU SUPPORT THE TROOPS, LOVE YOUR COUNTRY, PASS THIS LETTER ON.

IF YOU COULD CARE LESS – THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE. WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE AND THEY DESERVE OUR ATTENTION, RESPECT AND CONCERN.

*** end cut and paste ****


Original Red Friday letter

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear some thing red every Friday.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON –

IF YOU COULD CARE LESS – THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE. WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.

THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO BECOME ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.

---

Special thanks to Carol for posting the Red Friday letter on AmericaBlog and Linda for proofing the Black Friday letter.