I pledge allegiance to the Flag

[It'saDoneDeal]

I hopped off the plane at LAX
With a dream and my cardigan
Welcome to the land of fame excess,
Whoa, am I gonna fit in?
Jumped in the cab,
Here I am for the first time
Look to my right and I see the Hollywood sign
This is all so crazy
Everybody seems so famous

My tummy's turnin' and I'm feelin' kinda home sick
Too much pressure and I'm nervous,
That's when the taxi man turned on the radio
And the Jay-Z song was on
And the Jay-Z song was on
And the Jay-Z song was on

So I put my hands up
They're playing my song,
And the butterflies fly away
Noddin' my head like, yeah
Movin' my hips like, yeah
I got my hands up,
They're playin' my song
You know I'm gonna be okay
Yeah, it's a party in the USA
Yeah it's a party in the USA

Get to the club in a taxi cab
Everybody's looking at me now
Like "who's that chick, that's rockin' kicks?
She's gotta be from out of town"
So hard with my girls not around me
Its definitely not a Nashville party
Cause' all I see are stilettos
I guess I never got the memo

My tummy's turnin' and I'm feelin' kinda home sick
Too much pressure and I'm nervous
That's when the D.J. dropped my favorite tune
And a Britney song was on
And a Britney song was on
And a Britney song was on

So I put my hands up
They're playing my song,
And the butterflies fly away
Noddin' my head like, yeah
Movin' my hips like, yeah
I got my hands up,
They're playin' my song
You know I'm gonna be okay
Yeah, it's a party in the USA
Yeah it's a party in the USA

Feel like hoppin' on a flight (On a flight)
Back to my hometown tonight (Town tonight)
But something stops me every time (Every time)
The DJ plays my song and I feel alright

So I put my hands up
They're playing my song,
And the butterflies fly away
Noddin' my head like, yeah
Movin' my hips like, yeah
I got my hands up,
They're playin' my song
You know I'm gonna be okay
Yeah, it's a party in the USA
Yeah it's a party in the USA

So I put my hands up
They're playing my song,
And the butterflies fly away
Noddin' my head like, yeah
Movin' my hips like, yeah
I got my hands up,
They're playin' my song
You know I'm gonna be okay
Yeah, it's a party in the USA
Yeah it's a party in the USA

 

[420grover]

Suits me , no matter dude

Also, I was referring to the Christian God that is supposed to be capitalized. If I said "I don't believe in any god." Then I would have changed it to be correct.

 

[KopiKat]

Yep. Being born in the US is like winning the cosmic lottery

No, it isn't. Being born in a wealthy European principality. That's your cosmic lottery. Being born in the US? That's hit and miss. If you are born black in this country, for factual example, less than a 30% chance that your dad cares enough to be married to your mom at some point during your childhood. Married at conception? that's a modern joke almost.

 

[KopiKat]

Also, I was referring to the Christian God that is supposed to be capitalized. If I said "I don't believe in any god." Then I would have changed it to be correct.

Really, now that's interesting. How, exactly, where you making that distinction?

 

[mrhotdice]

What’s perverted about being an expat? You were a person who lived outside of their native country (definition of “expat”) and **** on it from afar for years (while comparing it to how great expat life in Taiwan was) IIRC.

Thanks for your service. Glad you saw the light and came back.

Since I remember everything I write on here my gripe was with the sorry politicians who are against term limits, the medical system that puts normal people in debt, and the fact that many in both parties .and the media are liars. Now if that is shiting on the USA I am guilty but I have paid my dues to gripe, received 4 Purple Hearts, and a silver star killing the same kind of people I see trying to over-throw this government. If the swamp can divide America the swamp wins. IMHO the Covid shutdowns and the riots are all about getting Trump out of office, plain and simple. That’s all I have to say about the situation but I was taught that freedom is not free. I believe Thomas Jefferson said, The tree of freedom is watered by the blood of patriots. I don’t see any patriots burning American flags.

 

[420grover]

Really, now that's interesting. How, exactly, where you making that distinction?

There are many gods that people have believed in throughout time. Any time I've seen someone have an issue with not capitalizing God, they are referring to the Christian God. God or The Lord seems to be his name and names are capitalized.

 

[KopiKat]

Since I remember everything I write on here my gripe was with the sorry politicians who are against term limits, the medical system that puts normal people in debt, and the fact that many in both parties .and the media are liars. Now if that is shiting on the USA I am guilty but I have paid my dues to gripe, received 4 Purple Hearts, and a silver star killing the same kind of people I see trying to over-throw this government. If the swamp can divide America the swamp wins. IMHO the Covid shutdowns and the riots are all about getting Trump out of office, plain and simple. That’s all I have to say about the situation but I was taught that freedom is not free. I believe Thomas Jefferson said, The tree of freedom is watered by the blood of patriots. I don’t see any patriots burning American flags.

Love this post. Love you too, Dice. My Vet brother. H-minus!

 

[KopiKat]

There are many gods that people have believed in throughout time. Any time I've seen someone have an issue with not capitalizing God, they are referring to the Christian God. God or The Lord seems to be his name and names are capitalized.

Okay . . . I did not know that. Learning something. I would have thought capitalizing would be okay or not okay, but if you did not ANY faith / belief, the more okay way would be to lowercase. Dont make two ***** to me.

 

[joeyrupption]

Since I remember everything I write on here my gripe was with the sorry politicians who are against term limits, the medical system that puts normal people in debt, and the fact that many in both parties .and the media are liars. Now if that is shiting on the USA I am guilty but I have paid my dues to gripe, received 4 Purple Hearts, and a silver star killing the same kind of people I see trying to over-throw this government. If the swamp can divide America the swamp wins. IMHO the Covid shutdowns and the riots are all about getting Trump out of office, plain and simple. That’s all I have to say about the situation but I was taught that freedom is not free. I believe Thomas Jefferson said, The tree of freedom is watered by the blood of patriots. I don’t see any patriots burning American flags.

I just remembered that you lived the sweet life over there and complained about stuff back here. You helped them for years by paying into their economy and culturally by bragging about how great it was to Americans in here. It seemed confusing, but now it’s good that you’re back, IMO. Again, thanks for your service.

(Socialist healthcare sucks and I want no part of it. Maybe that’s what I remember you bragging about compared to the US?)

 

[420grover]

Okay . . . I did not know that. Learning something. I would have thought capitalizing would be okay or not okay, but if you did not ANY faith / belief, the more okay way would be to lowercase. Dont make two ***** to me.

It's probably more just me trying not to have any typos and attempting to write somewhat correctly. Lol.

 

[SWFLwildcat06]

They do at my kids’ elementary and middle schools in Lex. Not sure about high school.

Some schools may still do it but I don’t think students are actually required to stand up and recite it now if they don’t want to, I could be wrong about that.

Maybe they kneel instead

 

[buckethead1978]

Some schools may still do it but I don’t think students are actually required to stand up and recite it now if they don’t want to, I could be wrong about that.

Maybe they kneel instead

the Supreme Court ruled that students have a first amendment right to not be compelled to recite the pledge.

The ruling is based on a teacher/school admin being an agent of the state and thus the state is compelling speech.

it makes sense to me.

I do find it odd that a lot of the Don’t Tread of Me Crowd in the paddock has no real issue when a police officer (an agent of the state) ends a mans or woman’s life without due process but I bet they worry like hell about their kids getting indoctrinated in a school.

Pretty sure those guys are either badge bunnies or boot lickers.

 

[JDHoss]

Pledging allegiance to a flag is stupid. I did once swear to defend The Constitution of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I did that proudly! And will pledge allegiance to that document again, any time, any where.

My dad, who was a WWII era Marine, told me to never trust anyone who wraps themselves up in the flag, or pounds on a bible.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

My dad, who was a WWII era Marine, told me to never trust anyone who wraps themselves up in the flag, or pounds on a bible.

Sage advice, indeed!

 

[KopiKat]

the Supreme Court ruled that students have a first amendment right to not be compelled to recite the pledge.

The ruling is based on a teacher/school admin being an agent of the state and thus the state is compelling speech.

it makes sense to me.

I do find it odd that a lot of the Don’t Tread of Me Crowd in the paddock has no real issue when a police officer (an agent of the state) ends a mans or woman’s life without due process but I bet they worry like hell about their kids getting indoctrinated in a school.

Pretty sure those guys are either badge bunnies or boot lickers.

Yeah, right . . . meanwhile, those "purists" including the liberal mass which "believes" (faith) in abortion and in doing so DEMANDS controlled speech (ideology) from non-believers by indoctrinating the ridiculously fkd in the head concept of "not killing".

 

[IdaCat]

My dad, who was a WWII era Marine, told me to never trust anyone who wraps themselves up in the flag, or pounds on a bible.

You're wrapping yourself in the flag every time you cite your father's service, which is often. Those WWII marines understood what the flag represents and so do those of us who still love this country and don't want to see it destroyed.

Your cognitive dissonance is influenced by leftists whose goal is the elimination of the core values that once held this country together.

 

[Rebelfreedomeagle]

I went to school with several kids who would not even stand up for the pledge. There's never been an issue with Jehovah's witnesses refusing to even acknowledge the flag, pledge, or anthem. Double standard or no?

 

[buckethead1978]

Idacat: bootlicker

 

[IdaCat]

Idacat: bootlicker

As expected, there can be no rational discussion with leftists like you. You are incapable of it.

 

[TurnipDaBeet]

Russell Jay Gould

 

[sluggercatfan]

Swype automatically capitalizes it.

The bible was not written by men with a "political agenda" as there were no parties back then. I respect your free agency to believe as you want, but have one question, please. If not for some doctrine of religion how would we know the difference between good and evil?

 

[JDHoss]

You're wrapping yourself in the flag every time you cite your father's service, which is often. Those WWII marines understood what the flag represents and so do those of us who still love this country and don't want to see it destroyed.

Your cognitive dissonance is influenced by leftists whose goal is the elimination of the core values that once held this country together.

Nope, not wrapping myself in the flag. Just pointing out that as a Marine, he felt that way, but he would have given me the same advice regardless. Like most things he advised me on, I haven't forgotten it. Just like when John Carlos and Tommie Smith protested on the medal stand in Mexico City. He didn't like it, but he also quickly pointed out that was one of the great things about being an American in that you could protest and not be imprisoned for it. He didn't lose his **** over it, and we kept watching the Olympics instead of whimpering about it.

 

[buckethead1978]

As expected, there can be no rational discussion with leftists like you. You are incapable of it.

You are so far from rational bud.

 

[420grover]

The bible was not written by men with a "political agenda" as there were no parties back then. I respect your free agency to believe as you want, but have one question, please. If not for some doctrine of religion how would we know the difference between good and evil?

Parties, maybe not. Maybe not even the word politics, but the idea of politics has existed ever since the first person tried to convince someone else to do something.

As far as your question, it's simple. Treat others how you'd like to be treated. Morality is independent from religion, but religion is dependent on human morality.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

No, it isn't. Being born in a wealthy European principality. That's your cosmic lottery. Being born in the US? That's hit and miss. If you are born black in this country, for factual example, less than a 30% chance that your dad cares enough to be married to your mom at some point during your childhood. Married at conception? that's a modern joke almost.

Damn, dude.

 

[KRJ1975]

Without the values of the USA behind it, the flag is just a piece of cloth. The pledge clearly says “and the republic for which it stands,” which should be pretty easy to understand.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

Parties, maybe not. Maybe not even the word politics, but the idea of politics has existed ever since the first person tried to convince someone else to do something.

As far as your question, it's simple. Treat others how you'd like to be treated. Morality is independent from religion, but religion is dependent on human morality.

Absolute morality assumes the existence of an intelligent designer. Whether that's Yahweh, the Christian God, Allah etc. It's the reason why everyone knows the Holocaust was evil even though it likely didn't directly affect any of us.

Relative morality would be an argument for evolution, meaning that a sense of right and wrong, good and evil, etc. appear in service to your own family or clan for the purposes of survival.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Benedict Arnold was always the first to stand when General Washington walked into the room...


...then after Washington left, Arnold would throw erasers and take over the country.

 

[Baller Cal]

 

[bluthruandthru]

Absolute morality assumes the existence of an intelligent designer. Whether that's Yahweh, the Christian God, Allah etc. It's the reason why everyone knows the Holocaust was evil even though it likely didn't directly affect any of us.

Relative morality would be an argument for evolution, meaning that a sense of right and wrong, good and evil, etc. appear in service to your own family or clan for the purposes of survival.

Some might argue a god that allows millions of people to be rounded up and exterminated is not doing a very good job.

If you're a believer, I have no ill will towards you. I just don't think knowing that exterminating people is wrong proves intelligent design.

I would say it's more a matter of self-awareness and empathy.
Q: "Would I like to be exterminated?" A: "No, I would not. Furthermore, I think others would feel the same way."

 

[KRJ1975]

Absolute morality assumes the existence of an intelligent designer. Whether that's Yahweh, the Christian God, Allah etc. It's the reason why everyone knows the Holocaust was evil even though it likely didn't directly affect any of us.

Relative morality would be an argument for evolution, meaning that a sense of right and wrong, good and evil, etc. appear in service to your own family or clan for the purposes of survival.

Yes it did. I wouldn’t be able to go the holocaust museum and see 6 million pairs of shoes if it hadn’t happened.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

Some might argue a god that allows millions of people to be rounded up and exterminated is not doing a very good job.

If you're a believer, I have no ill will towards you. I just don't think knowing that exterminating people is wrong proves intelligent design.

I would say it's more a matter of self-awareness and empathy.
Q: "Would I like to be exterminated?" A: "No, I would not. Furthermore, I think others would feel the same way."

I won't hijack this thread and turn it into a religious discussion. Nobody's changing anyone's mind on an anonymous message board. You're free to believe what you want.

What I believe is that pain and suffering is a result of the Original Sin and the fall of man. God can stop whatever he wants, but that would mean we don't have free will if he does. God did not create us to be robots who are created to love Him. He created us to have the option to have a personal relationship with Him if we choose to.

I also believe that it is arrogance to assume that we can know the mind of God and what his intentions are.

Again, you are free to not believe that and think I'm ignorant. Makes no difference to me.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

Yes it did. I wouldn’t be able to go the holocaust museum and see 6 million pairs of shoes if it hadn’t happened.

You missed my point, but ok. I'm sure that would be heartbreaking to see.

 

[bluthruandthru]

I won't hijack this thread and turn it into a religious discussion. Nobody's changing anyone's mind on an anonymous message board. You're free to believe what you want.

What I believe is that pain and suffering is a result of the Original Sin and the fall of man. God can stop whatever he wants, but that would mean we don't have free will if he does. God did not create us to be robots who are created to love Him. He created us to have the option to have a personal relationship with Him if we choose to.

I also believe that it is arrogance to assume that we can know the mind of God and what his intentions are.

Again, you are free to not believe that and think I'm ignorant. Makes no difference to me.

Never said you were ignorant and don't believe you are.

We believe different things for different reasons.

We can co-exist in the land of the free and home of the brave.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

Never said you were ignorant and don't believe you are.

We believe different things for different reasons.

We can co-exist in the land of the free and home of the brave.

Agree, and apologies for getting defensive. It's a reflex sometimes I guess.

 

[michaeluk26]

Same. I have no issue at all with anyone's religious views. Just don't try to cram it down my throat. I spent several years researching lots of religions in the search for my truth and came to the conclusion that I don't know what the truth is, neither does anyone else, and I don't need a book, written by human beings with a political agenda, to tell me how to be a good person.

I literally did the same exact thing as you. It's why I'm agnostic.