Friendly advice... - Page 3

and everyone laughs because I wear a tin foil hat!

Baby says,

"I can't stop crying, all those Indians and Soldiers who died to establish America and a Republic then fight and die 4 it.. I wonder what "we the government" thinks in regards to all who have actually fought and died thinking "we the people", it's sad. I mean what do they think driving by all our grave yard war fields like Gettsyburg and such ? America has been Hijacked. I know times change ... but this is shameful to allow in a civilized counrty established by Laws of this Land. Or is it just my warped thinking ? Maybe I should go to the doctor, see what the remedy is."

I compare our country not to some model of perfection, but to the other nations that have existed in the past and that exist today. Certainly the US looks horribly flawed when it is compared to what the IDEAL nation would be -- but compared to say, France, Britain, Spain, Italy, etc., we look pretty good. In fact, our history looks better than that of many other nations, if only because most other nations have been around hundreds of years longer than we have and thus have had a longer period of time to abuse their own populations and their weaker neighbors.

Of course, just being one nation among many to have a checkered past is not what makes the US notable. Our nation's greatness comes not only from our military might and the prosperity and freedom our citizens enjoy, but also from all the good we've done in the world. Just in the last century we saved Europe in WW1 and WW2 and then rebuilt it with the Marshall Plan. Then, when the Soviet Union menaced Western Europe, it was the United States that again took the lead in fighting against Communism worldwide. We had help, but without us, the Soviets may very well have united the world under a hammer and sickle by now. Not only did we win the Cold War with NATO's help, we caused the Soviet Union itself to collapse in a futile attempt to keep up with us. Because of that, much of Eastern Europe is free today. Then there's the 15 billion dollars we're giving to fight AIDS in Africa, the 60% of world food aid that we provide, and the countless times that we've been called upon across the world to help out during natural disasters and negotiate an end to conflicts. You also have to consider what we've done for South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Bosnia, Kuwait, & Saudi Arabia among others.

Now I'm not saying that we didn't have help or that there aren't any other nations of note out there. But, if the United States hadn't been willing to play the role that it has over the last century, what other nation would have had the heart, the will, and the muscle to replace us? Obviously, we've been indispensable and we still are although many people loathe to admit it.

I know some of you are probably thinking, "RPK, what you're saying may very well be true, but it's bad form to just come out and say it." Well, I'm going to have to disagree. You see in this country and around the world, we have a lot of people who will not hesitate to tell you what they think is wrong with America. But quite frankly, there aren't enough people who're willing to tell you what's right with our country. Talking about all the good things this nation has done shouldn't be something that's left to a few editorial columnists on July the 4th. The people who detest America certainly don't limit their criticism to one day a year, so why shouldn't those of us who love this country do the same?

No matter what anyone else thinks -- I'm proud of what this country stands for -- I'm proud of what we have achieved -- I'm proud of what we've done and are still doing in the world -- & and I'm proud to be an American. If you're an American, you should be proud too...

 RPK MD

RPK, 

Am I reading a post on the database or have I just stepped into the Twilight Zone?

RPK

~Cate

Policemom-Is there a difference?

I am proud of who I am not where I live.

I only bring out the flag for the fourth and veterans day.   I dont fly one on my car antenna or have one on a bumper sticker.

No ones perfect. 

Two Moons,

I am proud of who I am and where I live, and I'm far from perfect.

I will try for perfection by wearing a tie-dye shirt and Birkenstocks, chant "no blood for oil" a few times, and then try to muster up some sympathy for the endangered Howling Dung Beetle...........just writing this made me feel better

 Lunch is over

RPK

None of this is so far fetched as to be inconceivable. The storm is coming, and one must prepare.

Regards,

Bob-O

Now that everyone has had a chance to vent in one form or another, here are a few unfortunate facts:

1] The DHS has had more than a few embarassing (and expensive) breaches/lapses of security since it's conception. They are very touchy about cybersecurity in all government  agencies, particularly  the  DOE,  DOT, and, of course,  the DHS.

2] The actual cost of upgrading to the HSPD-12 biometric ID is two to three times what John Q. Public is being led to believe. The hidden part of the price tag is the extensive database and automated security that the ID's and readers are linked to; not simply gate/door security, but all desktop devices and government vehicles...for starters.

3]Theft of a HSPD-12 ID, or unauthorised penetration of the aforementioned database will be prosecuted as identity theft, even if you are a law enforcement official or a private detective.

4]You have to sign your life away (on 6 seperate documents) to get one of these beasties.

Life could be worse; they were talking about putting RFID chips in the web of our hands between our thumb and index finger. Also, I get to keep my job after they take my fingerprints...again....