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10/21/2004: "I pledge allegiance..."

I haven’t had time to write this week because I have spent my early morning hours reading instead of writing. There are so many interesting and ridiculous articles out there to amuse myself with that the next thing I know, it’s time to go to work. But this morning an article caught my eye that I must comment on.

A UK based newspaper, The Guardian, asked it’s readers to write letters to American voters giving us their opinion on our candidates for election. The article publishing the best of these letters is called, “America, let us love you again...” and pleads with President Bush supporters to rethink their votes. The letters are then being mailed to undeclared voters in battleground states.

When I first read that the paper was proposing this I thought “Great idea, this will piss off voters and send them to polls in favor of the President.” If there is a great disconnect between the US and the rest of the world and it has nothing to do with failed diplomacy. It has to do with philosophy. Let me try to explain this to them with my own letter.

Dear Guardian Readers:

Thank you for your interest in our upcoming election. I know you feel that I should consider the wants and needs of the world body when I go to the polls on November 2nd but 228 years ago men you call traitors and I call founding fathers gave their blood and their lives so that I didn’t have to bend to your will anymore.

Unhappy with the direction Europe was headed in, they left seeking a better life and they didn’t find it. They created it and made it. Throughout our short history, we have shed much blood continuing to defend the gift every citizen of this country was given by them and have done so in honor of their memory. The biggest slap in the face I could give to all the patriots of my country who have given the greatest of sacrifices would be to consider world opinion when casting my vote.

I am duty bound as an American citizen to defend my country against all threats both external and internal. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America not the United Nations. I will do what I think is in the best interest of my country to keep her safe and strong knowing that a strong America also makes for a safer world. If you dislike my decision, so be it. Channel your frustrations and energy into making your country stronger and less dependent on my decisions.

I thank you for your advice although I don’t recall asking for it. I think the title of the article, “America, let us love you again…” tells all like an unhealthy on-again, off-again affair that is not to be taken seriously. My vote is cast with the unwavering, unconditional love of my country. America, I love you.

Replies: 1 Comment

Right on! Cheeky little devils having the temerity to think we would want their input.. One wonders what their interest is. Are they afraid that Svengali Bush will mesmerize Tony Blair into another foreign adventure not to their liking? While I'm thinking about unwanted foreign input - i can think of no greater outrage than the concept of us needing election monitors!

Debbie Weksberg said @ 10/21/2004 06:34 PM MST