|
Americans
raised the US flag on Iwo Jima. They were Indian, Hispanic &
Europeans. No one cared. It made no difference. They were on the
same team... The United States of America's team. |
|
After
some time they finally realized they were raising awareness of their
disrespect for America and Americans. Then they started draping the
American flag across their bodies, cars and streets. |
|
Hispanics
appear very proud of their homelands, their nations'
accomplishments, culture, and living conditions. Why are they in the
US
complaining about their illegal status? |
|
Having such
pride, it is curious why they insist upon living in the United
States of America. |
|
Apparently even having
such strong pride in their homelands, they refuse to return to their homelands? |
|
The United
States is a nation built by immigrants who were proud to become
Americans. They immigrated because they aspired to improve
themselves, desired to assimilate, and worked to build better lives. |
|
Americans are
confused as to the meaning of the flag as a symbol. The confusion
started over 30 years ago when people started wearing American flag
lapel pins, underwear, T-shirts, and other artifacts. Prior to that,
the image of the American flag was sacred. It was against
regulations to duplicate the image of the flag for any purpose other
than to make a flag. This excluded wearing the American flag's image. |
|
Today people
take the flag's symbolism less seriously. Their respect for the flag
as a symbol has been blunted. People treat the American flag with
acceptance of its symbolism, but without its sacred aspect.
Americans wear the flag, foreigners burn the flag, politicians
prostitute the flag. |
|
Until Americans
elevate and respect the American flag, immigrants will see it as a
symbol that may be subjugated to others on American soil. |
|
The confusion
about the American flag is exemplified by another confusion. In
recent decades several states have passed the right turn on red law.
This law specifies that drivers may turn right on red lights
after coming to a complete stop and checking to make
certain that there is no traffic coming from their left. If there is
traffic coming from their left, they must wait until it clears. |
|
Anyone living
in a state that passed this law knows that many people abuse it.
They disregard the parts about stopping completely and checking for
traffic from the left. They feel justified in today's rude,
me-first, I'm in an important hurry culture. Many drivers play the
no stop, I can sneak in ahead of traffic from the left game. |
|
The point here
is the same as with the American flag's symbolism. That is,
important conceptual aspects of issues such as these cannot be left
for people to decide dynamically with no consequences. |
|
People must
know beyond doubt that the flag is not to be toyed with because it
represents a grand and magnificent irreplaceable entity that is
bigger than anything they can comprehend. |
|
People must
know beyond doubt that they must stop and wait on a red light. No
ifs, ands, or buts about it. |
|
When people are
worthy of being entrusted with decision-making responsibilities,
they demonstrate their worthiness by not abusing those
responsibilities. For example, stopping at red lights, having
respect for the US flag and the privilege of US immigrant status.
Disrespect demonstrates unworthiness. |
|
Immigration is
developing into the most tangible 2006 election issue. Sadly for
America, people are unlikely to understand the correlations between
driving, rudeness and flag symbolism because pride is at an all-time
low in America. |
|
Perhaps after
the next 9/11...? |
|
|
|
