Saturday, July 3, 2010

Some jarring thoughts as we ponder Independence Day


Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day.  This is the day that Americans fought for and won freedom from the oppressive rule of the Brits at that time (no offense to my British friends).  Note that only 2% of the country actually wanted to fight for what was right.

Needless to say, I am very grateful to all military personnel, past and present.  I will never know exactly what it feels like to walk in your shoes, but I am very grateful for what you have done and what you continue to do.  It is because of you that I am able to live in a free country with freedom to believe what I believe and say what I say.

Even as I ponder upon Independence Day, I came across some articles and videos this afternoon which brought forth some strong (and angry) feelings.  The articles and videos have to do with abortion and Planned Parenthood (and I do have strong feelings about the topic myself).  I am also miffed about the skewed news reporting being carried out.

Mind you, this is no new occurrence -- skewed media reports have been happening for years.  What has made me more ticked is the fact that taxpayers' money is being used to push one particular view over the other (the extra salt on the wound being the unjust point of view).

A couple of months ago, I was approached on the street by a member of Green Peace.   She told me that I did not even have to give any money or spend any time.  They just wanted to utilise my "voice" -- my name, email address, and whatever other information they needed -- to push their agenda.  Now, I agree with most of their ideals, but definitely not in their methods, so I declined as graciously and firmly as I could... repeatedly.

I am sure I am not the only one ever put in this kind of situation.  If I will not even give my name and one of my spam email accounts to a group I share some ideals with, why in the world would I want my money going towards something I am totally against?

As a person who is opposed to terminating life, I believe that even the unborn have the right to life, and I constantly ask this question:  How do we make the politicians listen that we want our taxpayers' money to neither fund (Healthcare Reform Bill) nor propagate (National Public Radio) abortion in any way, shape or form, directly or indirectly?

There is a difference between Tolerance and Acceptance -- the first just means that I will not deck you for what you believe or think, and I do not have to accept it as my own.  What mainstream media is asking us to do is to accept a perspective that is not yours as your own and to pay for spreading something you do not believe in.

America is the country of Freedom, Tolerance and Opportunity.  Do not ever forget the price that was paid for such privileges.

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