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Originally Posted by SUBMAN1
PS. Steve - sounds like you don't care for your country? The pledge is something you want to say, not something you have to.
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Not quite. I care for what America stands for: Liberty and Justice for all.
Back in 1970 the strongest supporters of the Vietnam war came up with a bumper sticker: America - Love It Or Leave It. Soon the war's opponents came up with a counter: America - Change It Or Lose It. Which group was right? Both of them, in their own way.
When Bill Clinton was president I saw a bumper sticker: I Love My Country - But I Don't Trust The Government. Once we went to war in Iraq the supporters of that war started saying that if you were against it you were "UnAmerican".
What I don't care for is one group or another saying that their vision of America is the "right", "true", or "correct" one. As to the right not to say the Pledge, Barack Obama exercises that right, and look at the flak he's getting for it. And don't construe that to mean I support Obama - it's just an example.
I agree that the liberals have taken America far down the wrong road. The problem I have with saying so out loud is that I'm not so sure the one the conservatives are steering toward is the right one either.
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Originally Posted by XabbaRus
AFAIK steve served in the US armed forces so his opinion is valid.
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I thank you for the defense, but I disagree with the sentiment. I don't think military service validates one's opinion on these matters. It's a funny thing, but when Clinton was running for president his detractors pointed out his draft-dodging and opposition to the Vietnam war. I was pushed toward the Republican side mainly because of his "hemming" and "hawing"; his prevarication. He tried to deny it and push it aside. If he had stood up and said "You're damned right I opposed that war! It was wrong for us to be there and I'd do it again today!"; well, if he had done that I might have voted for him. I like someone who says what he means, even when I disagree.