The Meaning of Patriotism

I try to stay away from inflammatory posts. I prefer pictures of puppies and kitties and if I could, I would dot my i's with little hearts. (there is probably a font out there....)

But sometimes I must speak up. This week I had enough.

Let's start with that windbag on the radio. Just so I don't get any crazies who google his name constantly, because they don't know what to do or think unless he tells them, I will give him a nickname. Crush Limback. Crush stated that he hoped our new President would fail. So everyone will vote him out in 4 years. I find this disrespectful and dishonorable. I implore the Republican community to turn away from this horrible person. If you want to grow and make your party stronger, it will not be by following this type of rhetoric.

I would hope they understand that Crush Limback is only interested in feathering Crush's own pockets. He says things like this to MAKE MONEY. That's his job - to make people listen. Of course, he is the radio version of a train wreck and people can't help but rubberneck because he is so incredibly obnoxious.

The next thing that happened was during my work day. I was meeting with a client and we were waiting for a co-worker to join us. This old man (he is in his mid-70's) turns to me and states, "so what do you think of our new President?"

I responded, (knowing where he was going because of his snarky tone) "we probably should not have this conversation."

He then says, "I don't care that he's black, I just don't like him being a Muslim."

I bit my tongue. This is my client. I should just shrug or nod and let it go. I bit down again, but to no avail, and I heard myself saying, "You know that's not true."

"Oh yes, it is. He has stated that if he has to choose, he will side with the Muslims!"

Now, I should have walked away. You should not go head to head with crazy people but I tried to explain where that rumor came from and that I did not believe that Pres. Obama had ever said anything to that effect.

Thankfully, we were interrupted. But, once again, I was faced with what I thought was a blatant disrespect and disregard for the office of President of the United States.

These type of people are the first ones to cry from the tallest mountain that they are patriots. Patriotism is devotion and loyalty to one's country. It also means supporting and defending one's country, not spreading rumors and lies about the leader of it.

Now I also believe in freedom of speech. If you don't agree with a person's actions or decisions then argue your point based on fact. I have been amazed in the last few months how "the other side" gets downright hostile if you disagree with them. I do not ask someone to defend their decision to vote for McCain/Palin. I may have asked "what do you like" because I was interested to hear their views. I didn't take it personally that they didn't see eye to eye with me.

What I find is that most of the nastiness aimed at Obama is not based in fact. It's racist, small-mindedness and sour grapes. I know that where I live is not the rest of the world. Believe me, if Texas was the rest of the world, Pres. Obama would have never even gotten close to the office he holds now.

Personally, I am pleased with what Pres. Obama is trying to do. He is inclusive and thoughtful. He is a devoted family man and honestly, just seems like a nice guy who does his homework and hangs around people who elevate him instead of dragging him down. But, what do I really like? He makes decisions based on what is best for the country, NOT based on his own ego. Has he promised us an easy ride? No. Has he promised free $$? No. In fact, he has admonished us to prepare to accept responsibility and to buckle down for a bumpy ride.

Talk about bumpy ride. The oldest has learned where he will be stationed upon graduation from college in May. He will do about 6 months of training in Oklahoma and then he will be in Germany for about 6 months. Then Afghanistan. Imagine the feeling of your stomach dropping out (much like a roller coaster) of your body. Yeah - that's pretty much what happens to me everytime I think about it. He's excited and I put on a good face in front of him. The clock is ticking. I am summoning up every bit of patriotism that I can muster.