However, I've been forced to come to my senses.

Now we have: preemptive war, the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, stop loss, neglect of returning veterans, ignored infrastructure, billions of dollars squandered on war and occupation, extraordinary rendition, secret imprisonment, warrantless domestic spying, disenfranchisement of voters, stolen elections, torture, suspension of habeas corpus and denial of due process.

So, even though hearing "America The Beautiful" still increases my heartbeat.

Although seeing those stripes still brings a lump to my throat.

Even though the sight of those stars continues to bring tears to my eyes.

I won't pledge to i...

However, I've been forced to come to my senses.

Now we have: preemptive war, the Patriot Act, the Military Commissions Act, stop loss, neglect of returning veterans, ignored infrastructure, billions of dollars squandered on war and occupation, extraordinary rendition, secret imprisonment, warrantless domestic spying, disenfranchisement of voters, stolen elections, torture, suspension of habeas corpus and denial of due process.

So, even though hearing "America The Beautiful" still increases my heartbeat.

Although seeing those stripes still brings a lump to my throat.

Even though the sight of those stars continues to bring tears to my eyes.

I won't pledge to it anymore.

I won't remove my cap.

I won't stand in respect.

I won't wave it.

I will salute no more forever.

Any eye witness deserves more respect than a politician reading from a doctored report. The people must remember. The Flag won't save the US, the Statue of Liberty wont save the US, it's clear many politicians have little respect for what the US is supposed to represent, so they wont save the US.
The people must save the US. To save the US the people must believe it can be saved, and share that belief. While at the same time making clear the actions of those who are supposed to be trustworthy are beneath their contempt.
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. What you find may chill your bones even more. The internet still has a wealth of information in archives and obsolete web pages that is not supposed to...

Any eye witness deserves more respect than a politician reading from a doctored report. The people must remember. The Flag won't save the US, the Statue of Liberty wont save the US, it's clear many politicians have little respect for what the US is supposed to represent, so they wont save the US.
The people must save the US. To save the US the people must believe it can be saved, and share that belief. While at the same time making clear the actions of those who are supposed to be trustworthy are beneath their contempt.
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. What you find may chill your bones even more. The internet still has a wealth of information in archives and obsolete web pages that is not supposed to be on the shelf. Then make your mind up when you have more evidence than the word of a politician.

I think, no, I know that what he says comes from what
he thought America should be. I know because when
I served this country. I thought this was the great country of freedom and truth. Even though in 1964 the south was killing and beating black people.

And when I went into the Marines in 1966. There they
were. Blacks, Hispanic, American Indians, and even
a few southern hillbillies. But we were Marines. That meant a great deal to us. There is no race in the
Marine Corp. You are brothers in arms.

And in 1967 in Vietnam. When a Marine went down.
He was picked up by his brother. And I went down a
number of times. And I knew that I would be picked
up. And I knew a minority Marine would be the...

I think, no, I know that what he says comes from what
he thought America should be. I know because when
I served this country. I thought this was the great country of freedom and truth. Even though in 1964 the south was killing and beating black people.

And when I went into the Marines in 1966. There they
were. Blacks, Hispanic, American Indians, and even
a few southern hillbillies. But we were Marines. That meant a great deal to us. There is no race in the
Marine Corp. You are brothers in arms.

And in 1967 in Vietnam. When a Marine went down.
He was picked up by his brother. And I went down a
number of times. And I knew that I would be picked
up. And I knew a minority Marine would be the first
and the fastest. I find it amazing how these people
were treated by some of my race. Yet when a
Marine went down. They would be the first to pull
them out. I think they had hope for a great country.

But now I see how the VA has let us down. The
benefits we were told we would get, were reneged
on. And every year the cost for supporting wounded
or sick Veterans is less. And no one realizes that
the number of homeless Veterans is equal to the
number of troops now in Iraq. And these are mostly
Vietnam Veterans. The Iraq Veterans will far exceed
our numbers. Because Housing is so much more.
And jobs are all but gone.

I believed in America. But the profiteers have taken it for themselves.

I have great respect for anyone who is honorable enough to risk or sacrifice their lives, for the sake of a people, a country, or an idea. They are people who's works show they are prepared to act on what they believe.
I can't think of a greater insult than being shown no sign of respect (apart from lip service) By those officials who plan, and order them on their missions. I get the feeling that if any of the officials actually looked death in the face, they would wet themselves and dribble. I'm probably making this a long way of saying, with all of the blame being thrown around, Veterans can always be reminded of the profound respect they inspire. When life threatening situations are consi...

I have great respect for anyone who is honorable enough to risk or sacrifice their lives, for the sake of a people, a country, or an idea. They are people who's works show they are prepared to act on what they believe.
I can't think of a greater insult than being shown no sign of respect (apart from lip service) By those officials who plan, and order them on their missions. I get the feeling that if any of the officials actually looked death in the face, they would wet themselves and dribble. I'm probably making this a long way of saying, with all of the blame being thrown around, Veterans can always be reminded of the profound respect they inspire. When life threatening situations are considered to be 'part of the job' if ever wondering if their sacrifice is worthwhile, that when the truth is known. They will be seen as role models- as people who are prepared to think less of their own safety than that of those around them. A commander can give orders but they are only respected when they act like commanders and Leaders. Those who while giving orders do not order anything to be done that they would not do themselves. Thank you