Good Old Rip!

Ever wonder after reading something outrageous in the news or watching someone's outlandish opinion on TV or reading a truly unsophisticated blog - not unlike this one -that you are Rip Van Winkle?

Today I read an E-mail from a relative asking if I would respond to a Fox News poll regarding the subject of banning the American flag in schools - some organization - SEIU is apparently twittering this is the politically correct thing to do. As a result 22% or about 600,000 of those voting decided that banning the flag was the right thing to do.

Sounds a little like stuffing the ballot box for the All Star game with the names of one or more of your home team favorites.

I admit that there may be something wrong with my sleeping habits. I awoke one time to find out "The Supreme's" had voted to okay the burning of our flag.

The most recent time something like this occurred - was some months ago when nine "learned" judges in an incredible 5 to 4 decision decided tht corporations were no longer just a legal entity but a person - with a person's individual rights prescribed to them.

But, Today I found out via my E-mail that my narcolepsy has reached a new peak.

Let's start off with an attempt to clarify my thinking as well as to make a confession.

I often think I'd trade all my courses and classwork knowledge for a clear definition of what "Freedom of Speech" really does mean . I admit I'm totally confused based upon the "progressive" and irrational actions of a "few" that arouse so much bile in the "many".

My love for this country is definitely in the top 10% level of patriots in this land. I also recognize my jingoist belief is not shared by everyone - and that is as it should be. My understanding of the compromise reached by our founding fathers - (some say foundling) was to see that all citizens have that right. - in addition to several others.

Some folks today are vehement in their attempts to undermine those rights. What the hell is the S.E.I.U. anyway? I'm told that in addition to twittering it's followers to vote yes on banning the display of flags in public schools it, once again, has something to do with the rights of hispanic students . I also that I'm still not quite awake yet.

How about a poll to determine who we hate most - Hispanics or Muslims.

This old goat has been around for a while. I visited a relative as a child who was" not quite right" after being the victim of mustard gas in WW-I , I also traipsed around town on both V-E and V-J Day to celebrate those victories.

Finally, I recently determined I must learn to accept that our only hope for another war victory would be if we decide to attack Grand Fenwick. So, I guess I really do qualify as a patriot.

Now, this is despite the cautionary article I read that was written written by a Christian writer who advised us against celebrating too hardy this past 4th of July. He saw this reaction as idolatrous patriotism and contravening the Bible's teachings in John 18:36 where we are instructed to pledge our sole allegiance to God.

While I can see his point I just never thought that being a patriot meant I had to give up the blessing of unconditional love. I suspect that the writer and I just got our wires crossed.

Turning the other cheek is not some strange anomaly in my eyes but, at what point do we simply say - loud and clear - "Enough is Enough!" . Not just to silly causes but to the absolutely inane things we receive on our computer. Sending them on only gives them versimilitude (look it up- I did.)


This Fox News poll prompted apparently by the SEIU rantings may be no more bothersome in the long run than the folks out there writing the vile things they espouse about our President.

Most of it is more pitiful than pitiable. The rantings are not dissimilar to the many E-mails stating this or that and for which I must go to my friend Harry Pierson for clarification, as Harry does not suffer fools willingly.

The confession part I mentioned a few paragraphs ago is to confirm yours truly as a charter member of those insensitive louts seeking humor who have occasionally made inflammatory remarks simply to get a reaction from someone. But, I don't send E-mails or write blogs for that same purpose It's just that every once in a while during my spoken verbiage I get a flare-up of "The Irish".

That's not my purpose here. I am simply trying to find a homeostasis that will allow me to read some of these oddball things in the news and not go off half-cocked.

I'm tired now and think I require a nap.

Your prayers would be appreciated.