by Blue Stockings |
:: Clears throat::
Freedom shall not ring tonight
Nor the Constitution stand
They're on the phone with the FBI
The press have all been banned
The watchdog's teeth have fallen out
And the courts have come to heel
The Decider's in the House tonight
While Congress sleeps at the wheel
What do we care for the Bill of Rights?
Just 'a goddam piece of paper'
Liberty doesn't need the law
If she's got the flag to drape her
[commentary after the jump]
This is in honor of Michael Novak's post, praising the right's superior love of America---who ' love the land, the soil, the mountains, the plains, the history, the bloody battles, the mistakes, the rises and falls, the real human history of an altogether human people, the particular, imperfect people of the United States'---in contrast of lefties like me who 'are continually judging the real country harshly. They often judge it so harshly that their attitudes toward their leaders, their neighbors and the real country as a whole sometimes seem almost like hatred for the country itself.'(NRO)
He pats himself on the back and gives himself a big kiss on the cheek for the following;
As for me, I have been wearing a flag in my lapel since September 11, 2001, and with special care ever since American forces took the war to the place whence it emanated, Afghanistan. As long as brave Americans were willing to accept, if necessary, wounds or death on our behalf, I felt a duty to be faithful to them: “This flag’s for them!” And will stay in my lapel until they are out of harm’s way. (NRO)
And I'm sure that his lapel pin is going to help them do that---as opposed to, you know, trying to bring them home.
For Novak's information, I and every left winger I know loves this country, its constitution, and the values on which it was founded. I love the land, the soil, the mountains, the plains, and so on. I love them so much I wouldn't in my wildest dreams sacrifice them to get a temporary fix for the Republican party's failure of stewardship or to save a few bucks at the gas pump.
I love the beautiful flag. I love the stars, the stripes, and the proportions and combinations of colors. But I also realize that it's a symbol of freedom, not freedom itself, and that the symbol will mean nothing if we destroy the sacred principles on which it is founded.
What I don't like is people who confuse gestures with principles. Their flag-waving means nothing to me because it isn't founded on a true respect for the principles on which America is founded or for the justice on which it is meant to stand.
Memeorandum has more blogger reaction here---
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