OT - Long - We The People

I guess I find this mindset particularly offensive, especially in light of the terrible conditions created by Hurricane Katrina. Here's a great comment to be found at the following blog

Thursday, August 04, 2005 Propaganda Pure and Simple - So Stop It I am weary of getting emails that purport to be opinions of some guy that is fed up and lists grievances with simplistic responses. They always feed to stereotypical behaviors that just aren't true. In every one of them is hidden a message that will over time become popular knowledge, but is completely false - like the link between Osama and Saddam.

Following my opening statement is one of these pieces of garbage and my rebuttal to it. If you are concerned about the direction our country is going - toward a fascist state - then stop passing on these things. They are garbage, they are not amusing and they are ultimately dangerous.

The stinger is always at the end. So this one perpetuates the myth that the United States was founded as a Christian Nation. Just is not so. If you believe it is, get yourself an old history book and re-educate yourself. It was founded precisely as a secular Nation. Say to yourself several times. Secular Nation. The State is to have no role in establishing or promoting any or all religions; that is left to each citizen. In fairness the State has no role in discouraging religion either.

So here it is, it is a bit rough, but these things really get my "dander" up.

"This is probably the best e-mail I've seen in a long, long time. The following has been attributed to State Representative Mitchell Aye from GA. This guy should run for President one day...

Heaven protect us from having another President this stupid. The poster needs to get some new friends that will send him emails that don;t make this one look like "the best". As far I can tell there is no State Representative Mitchell Aye, but I am still looking. All the Google references are to this post. I have an email into one (from Georgia) that lists this as an editorial and may be the original source.

"We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whinny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other liberal bed-wetters. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights."

Where do I start? He says "avoid more riots". I guess he means like the ones in the 1960's. There is a definite racial overtone to much of the statements here and I suspect that is a reworked version of something form that era.

He thinks people may be a bit confused by the Bill of Rights and he seems to be right. At least one person we can document is the writer of this. With a little stolen verbiage from the Declaration of Independence and the organizational style of the unanimity Constitution, he comes up with 11 "Non-rights". He fails to understand that rights can be "from' something not just "to" something. Right to bear arms. Right from excessive bail, and cruel and unusual punishment. Last the Bill of Rights are amendments to the constitution that were required for passage by the people of the constitution. We all on the same page now?

ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

This ia an old "Welfare Queen" myth. Reagan changed that to saying that people needed to be able to keep their hard earned money. Ignorant notion. I work earn money and I should be able to keep it and let someone else pay for the roads I drive to get to work and the system that allows me the freedom to work and get paid for it, and for the defense of that system, Well that lack of guarantee includes the notion that your money is yours and you should be able to spend it anyway you want. Money Bucko, is printed and owned by the collective of the American People called the Government. When you can print and back a currency, then that is "your money" and good luck on what you can purchase with it.

Until then, we live in a country built upon the idea that there are no guarantees, but that all people should be provided with basic food and shelter, and if that means using some of "your money" to achieve that then, how do you day it ? "TOUGH!!!!". I guess morons like you would rather that "your money" go to Prisons where it is really expensive to completely house a person.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

That is right and remember that next time you run into a Gay Pride Parade.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

While it is true that life is full of danger, that does not relieve manufacturers from the responsibility to not make products that they know are dangerous.

Every time someone buys into this Tort Reform crap it gets a little easier for unscrupulous manufacturers to cut every corner when it comes to safety, take the money and run. So Bucko, the next time a kid dies from some greedy bastard who makes dangerous toys, I hope it ain't yours. Or when a SUV rolls killing the woman aboard it ain't your wife. But if it is, just remember not to fret, Life is full of mishaps and they really should have been more careful.

I mean what are a few lives when it comes to allowing Corporate America to pay you sub-standard wages and then turn around and take that money back by selling dangerous inferior products. That is the American way right?

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes.

Welfare Queen again. Anyone who is still stupid or ignorant enough to still buy the idea that there is this class of mostly people of color who are draining huge amounts of tax dollars living high on the hog without working, I have land in ever warming, increased intensity hurricane susceptible Florida to sell you. The biggest drain off of the Government Teat, is Corporate America. Between tax dodges, subsidies, grants, and price protection (drug companies) your tax dollars go into the pockets of those who can afford most and pay the least. If you are still in denial, why do drugs cost less everywhere in the world than the Good old USA where they are made?

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

Well, Bucko? I guess you do not use health insurance or Medicare? Oh, yes, I forgot you "paid" for that. I will be sure to notify the proper agencies to cut you off when you spend all of "Your Money". You are an Idiot. Just let all them poor lazy "couch potatoes" be sick. There are new stains of antibiotic-resistant diseases today because we let our public health be determined by the "Health if You can afford it" insanity promoted by people like you. We live in a common community, what hurts one, undefended, hurts us all. Got it.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

Life is imperfect and death awful permanent. I give you this one with one exception. When we kill an innocent person - which we have - lets have a national lottery to pick one of us to die for that murder.

You willing to put your name in that pot? No, I did not think so. Funny how we think when it is other peoples lives we are taking. You know Pro-Life is pro-all life.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

Yep, them prisoners just have the life of ease, don't they. Tell you what, for your next vacation, lets send you to the Club Correctional Institution where you can enjoy that color TV and Life of ease, all absolutely free. You can make a lot of really close new friends, also.

VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful.

Yep, that is those people of color things isn't. All those "Couch Potatoes" that use Affirmative action to get paid to go to school and never show up for classes, then expect to get a good job and won't work. Did your brain stop accepting information in about 1952?

Don't worry though the current government will do all they can to make sure that all those opportunities of education and vocational training for people who really don't deserve them are stopped. Yep that is what we need is a lot of unemployed people without money (Article I) having to steal (Article VII )to eat and get placed in really comfortable (Article VII again)place to live while you work to pay for that. Real good plan, Bucko, I want you for my President.

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

See it is real easy to say vague things like this which really have no meaning. Which "idiotic" laws? The ones that require safe cars and seat belts? And exactly how are we confused by the Bill of Rights? You throw a lot of garbage out there without really saying anything.

I don't know of any educated person that does not understand the "Pursuit" principle but that is not in the Bill of Rights or the Constitution. It is in the Declaration of Independence - you know that document that was studied in school as you slept in class. No where in the bill of rights is there a provision for happiness - pursued or otherwise. So it seems that it is you that are confused.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from!

I agree with English being the language of the United States, and people who live here as citizens should be required to learn English, but not the "go back to wherever you came from!" Xenophobic crap. Again not in the bill of rights.

(lastly....)

Drum roll please, here is the whole reason for this post. You have been softened up by every cheap stereotypical predjudice there is and now the Choir sings.

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!!!!

It would help if you would get an education before you spout off as if you know anything. Opinions are fine and as opinion this is as good as the next persons, but it is ignorant and uninformed. This country was NOT founded upon the belief in one true God. Period. It was founded as a secular nation, and still is, despite attempts by religious zealots who want everyone else to live by their religious beliefs.

It is easy to say things like this until you look at history and see the turmoil and destruction that religion in government brings. So if you are willing to gamble your freedom on letting someone else impose their religion on you, welcome to the modern Inquisition, and I hope the first red hot pokers and burning at the stakes are for you, Bucko.

I am NOT trying to start something. This was actually sent to me by a friend of mine who lost his home in Biloxi. He and his family are in Asheville, NC staying with friends. His newly wed daughter and her husband lost their home in Biloxi. He thought it was very appropriate at this time. I am not trying to offend anyone. Let's all take a deep breath.

Sherry Starr

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I am exercising my constitutionally-guaranreed right to freedom of speech.

Why should he run for president? He sounds worse than George W. Bush who, in my opinion, is about as bad as they come. I truly resent being called a bed-wetting liberal just because I believe the current government has moral (not religious) obligations to care for its citizens. Can you tell me how the current adminsitration is attempting to secure a debt-free liberty for our great-great-great grandchildren when they have incurred the largest budget deficit in the history of the country fighting a war based on lies while ignoring the infrastructure of our country (Oh wait! Halliburton and KBR will get non-bid contracts to rebuild what Katrina destroyed).

Elizabeth Wilson in Spring, Texas

you'll get my vote, Eizabeth. :) hugz, jeanne

Yup, gotta say I'm with you on this one. I'm simply fed up of trying to explain things to people at wwork when they do not comprehend basic English. I don't mine them being here, but jeez, make an effort! I now live in a bilingual country, and I'm trying my damn hardest to learn Welsh!

I remenber having abuse shouted at me while walking round teh graveyard where my grandad is buried because I am Church Of England. I won't say what religion these lads were, but they certainly weren't Christian, which again, is the national religion here. If people want to come and live in my country, then allow me to continue with MY beliefs.

Border guards with shotguns... that's what we need.

Charlie.

I think everyone needs to reexamine this for errors.

The Spanish speaking American Culture have been in the majority for a few years now. The constitution doesn't designate/legislate any particular language as mandatory. Maybe the author of this missive needs to consider a course in conversational Spanish at their local community college so they can keep up with current events.

This is a nation of immigrants from many countries and many faiths who invaded a land and conquered it's Native born people and the constitution GUARANTEES everyone the right to choose what name they put on their Creator and no single minded person has the right to tell another person "tough" when they call that Creator by any name they choose.

I agree. I was very offended by the racist and superior attitude of the missive. Maybe the sender didn't read it all the way thru before sending it.

I find more and more that I am proud to be a liberal, if being liberal means I understand:

-- not everyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps without help.

-- Corporate America will always weigh cost vs. benefit when it comes to product safety. Lawsuits are the only way consumers have to fight back against companies who feel that a life or two, or two hundred, is a small price to pay for good profits. This cost/benefit analysis is done even by our government, when it decided to build the levees to withstand only a cat

3 hurricane, knowing full well that a 4 or 5 was surely in the future, and would kill thousands from the flooding.

-- we have a president who, never having to worry about where his next meal is coming from, is incapable of displaying any true compassion for the downtrodden. He did nothing until international opinion forced him to. During his carefully orchestrated visit, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere else, and still did not comprehend the scope of this tragedy.

-- I am ashamed of our government's response to this tragedy, because I fear racism was the real reason help was so long in coming.

- There is a big difference between a helping hand and a handout, but from a distance, too many mistake the former for the latter. I'd rather be taken advantage of once in a while than have anyone go to bed hungry. Especially in America. How dare we presume to be deliverers of liberty and justice in other countries? We can't even take care of our own.

There's more, but I'm just too ticked off right now to list it.

While on the surface they sound good, there is real danger in the opinions listed below. Attributing these sentiments to a state representative, of Georgia no less, is ridiculous. Even Newt Gingrich would know better.

Being a liberal is being on the side of equal distributions of resources - it's also a simplified job discription for every social worker. I too am proud to be liberal.

*stands and applauds* Well said, Snigs!

Linda

I'm curious as to why you thought this would be appropriate? Not just in a quilting newsgroup (and we are used to all kinds of non-topic discussions), but on any non-political newsgroup.

Thanks for pissing me off on a beautiful Sunday morning. But I also want to thank you for reminding me once again why I choose to be a Liberal when the alternative makes me want to puke.

Congratulations! You are officially the first person I have ever killfiled. I don't even care that I might have learned something really cool relating to quilting from you.

C

Why, shucks!! Thankee ma'am! (head ducked - toe digging in the dirt - blushing madly)

I'm voting for Gardenquilt at the next election, now that I think you RCTQ folks can help me figure out how to do the absentee ballot. I found the original post not only racist and bigoted, but depressing and unhelpful. The inaccuracies about US history, which I have studied, and teach, was very saddening indeed. The US is a great nation - with good and bad bits in its history like any nation - and doesn't need this sort of rubbish being passed around. Thank you Gardenquilt for taking time to rebut each and every "article" in the original post.

-- Jo in Scotland

- Jo in Scotland

Amen . Kay