But the truth always prevails.
Earlier this morning I got an email that criticized the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, saying that the words "so help us God" were left out of FDR's quote which is engraved in stone.
"It is very scary how subtle these things are allowed to happen," the email began.
"On the Pacific side of the memorial, a group of us gathered to read the words President Roosevelt used to announce the attack on Pearl Harbor: Yesterday, December 7, 1941-- a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked.
One elderly woman read the words aloud: 'With confidence in our armed forces, with the abounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph.' But as she read, she was suddenly turned angry. 'Wait a minute,' she said, 'they left out the end of the quote. They left out the most important part. Roosevelt ended the message with 'so help us God.'"
The email claimed that "People today are trying to change the history of America by leaving God out of it, but the truth is..."
No, here's the truth. The words they claim the woman said are not even on the memorial!!! This is another right wing idiot trying to gin up opposition to the left. Here is the real quote (the part engraved on the wall is in blue, the part they claim is on the wall, but actually isn't, is in green, and the part they claim is missing is in red.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces -- with the unbounded determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.
So the "so help us God" is not even a part of the quote which is engraved on the wall. Good try, righties, but facts always prove you wrong.
The email was discredited on Snopes.
Then I see on a right wing blog (by a Bessemer resident) a picture from Veteran's Day at Arlington showing President Obama and several military on stage and they are saluting and his hands are by his side. The blogger claims it is during the National Anthem and Obama is showing disrespect.
Often pictures like this are snapped before one person has moved their hand over their heart, or maybe it really wasn't during the National Anthem. But, President Obama honored our Veterans that day. This video shows parts of his speech and describes the day well.
Respecting the flag and such reminds me of 10 year old Will Phillips who I wrote about here the other day. He's the young man who refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance because our country does not offer "liberty and justice for all." He says until gays and lesbians are allowed to marry he will not swear to it (by reciting the pledge).
Hooray for Will, hooray for his dad, Jay.
The following is not right wing rhetoric, rather it is about patriotism.
Finally, I was taken to task by a comment on this blog for leaving my flag up during the storm and allowing it to be destroyed by the winds and rain. Even though the US code states the flag should not be flown during inclement weather, I often see flags in yards, on homes, and even on government buildings flying during storms.
Two comments:
The code also states "the Flag Code does not proscribe conduct, but is merely declaratory and
advisory."
Second, in the Frequently Asked Questions of the CRS Report to Congress it says this:
The Flag Code states:
The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except
when an all weather flag is displayed.
The language of this section reflects the now-popular use of flags made of
synthetic fabrics that can withstand unfavorable weather conditions. It is not
considered disrespectful to fly such a flag even during prolonged periods of
inclement weather.
My flag was 100% Nylon, thus was considered an all weather flag.
5 comments:
So let me get this straight. You can be gay in this country if you want to. You can be black AND be the president. Everyone is free. Anybody can be a doctor, or lawyer, or gay right activist if they want to be. But because two people of the same sex cannot get married, there is not liberty and justice for all? This kid isn't bright. He's stupid. I'd tell him and his dad to get on the next plane to South America if he doesn't like living here.
Let me say this. I am gay but I am also an American. I have a strong desire to be married to my partner, and even though it is not something that my state recognizes at this point, I still respect our country and our flag enough to stand and say the pledge at meetings, at church or at ball games. As a gay man, I don't want my beliefs pushed on anyone as I don't want your beliefs pushed on me. I have a feeling that this little boy has been led to do this. I have a difficult time believing he would do it on his own, and if that is the case, I am not proud of him. This country has to comes to terms with things in a fair and honest way. That is the only chance we have of moving forward as a culture.
Adam,
I believe the boy, when he says he has plenty of gay friends. I assume, however that he is speaking of adults, and from listening to their conversations and those of his parents he has formed his opinions. I agree with him that there is not liberty and justice for all. However, like you, I respect the flag and fly one at my house almost every day. I also stand and recite the pledge. I realize our nation is a work in progress. Heck, blacks and women are still fighting for equality.
Fortunately, a kid is allowed to speak his mind in our country. He wants to be an attorney, and I am sure he will be one day.
I am proud of Will mostly because he got a conversation going. And while most people might disagree with not reciting the pledge, he may have opened a lot of people's eyes (not Beverly's) about the inequality that we as gay Americans face.
What inequality Joe? You are a gay man. Other than not getting married (which you were...to a WOMAN...which makes me wonder how you could have been BORN GAY) what 'rights' do you not have? You can live, work, worship, play, vacation, etc...wherever you want to. You can buy a house, buy a car, run for city council (...and lose), whatever you want to do, you can do. You just can't get married. So where is the inequality??? Tell me.
I can be terminated from a job for being gay. I've never heard of someone being terminated (in Alabama) for being straight. I have heard of someone being fired (many) when it was learned they were gay.
I cannot inherit my partner's estate without a will. In fact, much of his estate would go to pay taxes, whether he has a will or not. A heterosexual married couple would inherit the property, no problem.
We cannot get the same room in a nursing home in many cases, whereas married couples can.
I can be prevented from visiting my partner in the hopsital if the doctor or hospital policy so dictates, or even in a blood relative of his asks that I not, even if we have been together 20 years.
I can be denied the right to plan for my partner's funeral.
I can (and was) denied the right to visit my children in elementary school to eat lunch or watch their programs.
We could be denied the right to adopt children.
I could be(and was) denied the right to custody of my children because of my sexuality.
We cannot file a joint income tax return, a policy which cost a friend of mine 10's of thousands of dollars.
I can not serve in the U. S. military.
Do I need to go on, or are you beginning to get the picture.
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