America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country can't just be a flag; the symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then, you can stand up and sing about the "land of the free"
-President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), The American President (1995)
9 comments:
Or acknowledge differences, be tolerant, be reasonable, avoid fanaticism, ignore fanatics and confine your religion to your living room. Glad I live in England.
Lovely photo, BTW! When someone looks like that, I don't mind him wrapping himself in the flag.
I rue the day that civil discourse disappeared in this country. We have moved to "my way or no way", completely forgotten how to discuss issues and compromise to help everyone, and in general, we have given up on "bipartisan" anything.
I note that one commenter is glad he lives in England. I've been there, I know a lot of people there, and I read the news there. I'm not sure it's any better - it's just different. I can't think of any country I'd rather live in than America, but I hope that we relearn the basic tenets of civility and statesmanship that our elected representatives seem to have completely thrown out the window.
Peace <3
Jay
Jay M.....well stated!!! Too bad the members of congress can not (or do not) get necked and shower and play together...they would see they (the males at least) all put their pants on one leg at a time......
I've always wondered why USA who is supposed to be the «land of the free» is, in some states, refusing that same freedom of marriage and honest life to gay men and women...
Also, freedom is not having the right to possess many weapons and be «free» to use them against your own fellow cirizens...
Sorry Jay M. but I think Canada and mostly Province de Québec is, for me, the real land of freedom and Liberty...
It's not perfect, no country is, but at least I feel free to love and marry any man I want to and not be afraid of the judgement of my neighbor..
I was teaching in public schools in Montréal and never been afraid of being gay...
Respected and protected by my school board too...
So, where is the real «land of the free»...
Many other countries have it: Australia, France, Germany, Belgium, Norway,Sweden, Danmark.etc...
USA is not the only one...
Cheers from Canada «another land of the FREE»...
JiEL,
You mention but one aspect of America that isn't ideal. I feel it every day, but that doesn't mean that the positive aspects of living here aren't worth it. I must be honest and admit that I do not know the history of gay marriage in Canada, whether it was fraught with the same types of issues that we are dealing with. I don't know if at one time people didn't want marriage equality, but at the same time, I suspect there are as many detractors there are there are here, whether they are as "newsworthy" or not.
I believe it's great that you love Canada; if we all support where we live and work for the best in that country, it helps us all.
Which country is "best" or the "freest" to live in is as personal as who one wishes to marry (or love at all), but that one aspect is no reason to assume that other countries who don't yet share that freedom are in some way inferior.
Peace <3
Jay
Dear Jay M.
We also have faught in the 60's for our equality of rights and thanks to the Liberal Party and Pierre Elliot Trudeau, we made big steps for our liberties of religion, association AND sexual freedom.
Now our right to have civil marriage is in Canadian law since 2003 more or less...
I have a gay couple of friends in Delaware: one is American and the other a Canadian.
They will have their marriage next August in Rehoboth and my Canadian friend will be at last able to stay with his «husband» in USA..
They were going back and forth USA-Canada since 2001 because my Canadian friend couldn't stay in USA more than 6 months..
This is just an example of the issues that «lack of equality» gives to same sex lovers in your country....
I enjoy going visiting my friend there in Rehoboth Beach, a very gay friendly place...
CHEERS from Canada
JiEL,
That's great that Canada was in front of the curve with marriage equality. In terms of democracies/republics, ten years isn't too long a time. We'll get there. Heck, I live in one of the most backwards Southern states and it looks like we're on the fast track to be next in line! WOOHOO! Then all I have to do is find the right man.
I'll be in Lewes, DE in March for the bloggerpalooza. We'll hit Rehoboth Beach as part of the festivities! Will you be at bloggerpalooza?! Love to meet you!
Peace <3
Jay
Dear Jay M.
Unfortunatly, I won't go to Rehoboth Beach till the summer time.
For now, I must tell you that I've just met such a nice 32yo man here in Montréal and that our fragile relationship has a great start...
So, as I told you, my friends down there will be married next summer and I'm invited to the ceremony for sure..
Also, they're still at their condo in Quebec City and are heading back in Rehoboth on April.
I'd love to meet you and have a nice friendly talk live..
Well maybe another time and I could introduce you to my new «LOVER»..
Have a great Sunday my friend.
(((( HUGS ))))
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