Weir Thinking about it

After former NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani and Senator John McCain spoke at the Republican convention, one MSNBC commentator, with a frown on her face, said:

'Well, it looks like we're going to be bombarded with patriotism for the rest of the week.'

None of the others in the booth with her uttered a word of protest at such an un—American statement. What a perfect opportunity that was for someone to say, 'Excuse me, but what's wrong with patriotism?'

Keep in mind, these are people with a televised opportunity to speak to the nation, and they sat on their hands as some leftwing ideologue gave the thumbs—down to the concept of loving one's country. Could there be any doubt who that woman is voting for in the presidential election? Knowing that she favors John Kerry is more than enough reason to vote for George W. Bush. With terrorists murdering innocent people all over the world and the realization that our country is their prime target, we had better return to our patriotic past in a New York minute. That snide commentator felt safe in the comfort of her booth as she looked down her nose at the remarks made by some of our country's strongest leaders. That is precisely what we've come to expect from the treasonous talking heads of the liberal media.

There was a time in our recent history when the term, 'liberal' merely meant advocating tax increases, larger government, more money for welfare programs and less money for the military. Although the same can be said for liberals today, they have added another element to their belief system. They now believe that we should not be tough on dictators like Saddam Hussein, we should stay on the receiving end of terrorist assaults, rather than go on the offensive, and they believe that America—haters like Michael Moore should orchestrate the race for the White House.

These are not the liberals of the FDR or JFK eras. During World War II, FDR electrified the nation with his strong—willed oratory and positive attitude about America's ability to be victorious against the Axis powers. President Kennedy took a firm stance against Communist aggressors and used his eloquence to arouse the patriotic fervor of a country dealing with a nuclear threat during the cold war. Patriotism wasn't a dirty word during the first half of the last century, before the deadly strain of narcissism took hold of our country, and some people decided that they were too important to put on a uniform and protect the country that fed, housed, and clothed them. It began in the 'sixties when people like Jane Fonda and John Kerry were giving aid and comfort to the enemy while soldiers were being killed and maimed in South Vietnam. 

Yes, Kerry was in that war, for 4 months, resulting in a few scratches that he magically turned into Purple Hearts, giving him an early return to the States, where he began to build his political career on the graves of the fighting men he left behind. Thanks to people like Kerry, Fonda, and many other fist—waving, flag—burning, rioting radicals of the early seventies, patriotism was compared to imperialism and barbarism. As a result of Kerry's self—serving speech before the Congress 33 years ago, soldiers were spat upon and called baby killers when they returned home from the war. Planes carrying the valiant troops were met at the airports by raggedy bands of draft—dodging, pot—smoking, acid—dropping protestors who gave more allegiance to their dope pushers than to their country.

Vietnam veterans have never been fully respected and rewarded for their commitment to a war that was made unwinable by the generation of 'free love' philosophers who not only wiped their feet on the American flag, but ushered in an epidemic called AIDS. The treatment of Vietnam veterans is one of the most shameful episodes in America's history. And the man who referred to his comrades as rapists and murderers is now, once again, trying to use Vietnam as a springboard to political office.

Well, it may have worked in liberal Massachusetts, it may have played well in the leftist cocktail parties at the Ted Kennedy estate, and it may be music to the ears at radical Hollywood soirees, but this is the presidency of the United States we're talking about, and it will never sell to the vast majority of Americans who still believe that love of country goes hand—in—hand with love of family, love of community, and love of God. Quoting Rudy Guiliani at the Convention: 'Thank God George W. Bush is our president.' 

Bob Weir is the Editor of The News Connection in Highland Village, Texas. BobWeir777@aol.com