Like many I sat stunned in watching the interview that took place between MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and the Republican congress member, Michele Bachmann who challenged the media to investigate who is pro-America and anti-America within the congress. What criteria would she be looking for? Is it whether or not they are liberal or conservative? Is it whether or not they are Republican or Democrat?
I would suggest that Michelle Bachmann read up on what democracy really means. It is when all are heard from and not just some. Our democracy demands that some actually do stand up and say what is wrong when it comes to the direction of our country.
In fact, a Republican president, Teddy Roosevelt once said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." I do believe that extends to how those within this government actually govern.
The same goes for Sarah Palin who said, “We believe that the best of America is in the small towns that we get to visit, and in the wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard-working, very patriotic, very pro-America areas of this great nation,” She also went onto say and this truly bothers me, “This is where we find the kindness and the goodness and the courage of everyday Americans,” I want her to visit ‘Ground-Zero’ and say that when many firefighters and police officers lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. Those who lost their lives on that tragic day went beyond patriotism and became America’s heroes. As those towers collapsed upon them, they showed immense courage. Let her say that to their family members and hear what they have to say. Be prepared to hear their wrath, Governor. In the ending days of this presidential campaign, Gov. Palin, I dare you to come to New York City, go down to ‘Ground-Zero’ and actually say that. Let us see just how much of a maverick you are.
Then we have Senator John McCain’s brother Joe who said this, “I've lived here for at least 10 years and before that about every third duty I was in either Arlington or Alexandria, up in communist country," Is that code for Democrat and/or liberal? Come on, Joe McCain, you can do better than that. Perhaps those in Arlington and Alexandria are just plain fed up with the direction this country has taken under a Republican president and it is them calling out to the rest of us to change course.
Adding insult to injury you have John McCain’s own spokesperson, Nancy Pfotenhauer who stated, I certainly agree that Northern Virginia has gone more Democratic. … But the rest of the state — real Virginia if you will — I think will be very responsive to Senator McCain’s message.” Is she saying that Democrats are not real people? I do suppose there are many within our military ranks who are Democrats and let her say that to their face as they are placed in harms way. While I do not have the statistics to back me up here, I would opine that even some of our military who have come home in coffins from this heinous war were Democrats. Let her say that to their family members. See what reaction she will get. I would suggest first that she put on protective-gear similar to the gear worn by bomb squad units.
Where one lives does not define who is patriotic and who is not. How one votes and leads in our congressional body does not define if one is pro-America and who is not. Those within that body were elected by their constituents back home in their congressional districts. Is Bachmann pitting voter against voter? Even Colin Powell in an interview after he appeared on “Meet the Press” where he endorsed Senator Barack Obama point blank shot back at the Minnesota congress member, Michelle Bachmann by saying, “We have got to stop this kind of nonsense.”
I will be brutally honest here, but these divisive measures brought on by those mentioned above are showing all of us who are anti-American by creating a fissure within this country which will further divide us. All Americans are waking up to the fact this morning as the stock market opened up with a 300 point loss on the DOW, those who look to divide us, just do not get it. As Americans we must say to these divisive people, “Is that all you have to give us?...If so, then move over”
To end this piece which relates to these incendiary and divisive remarks coming from the Republicans is this line cited in "The American President" where President Shepherd states this of his opponent: "Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it ... he is interested in two things and two things only: Making you afraid of it and telling you who's to blame for it."
To counter that and for all of you Al Gore fans out there it is something he said in the third presidential debate in 2000 when he said, “But thank goodness we've always had enough people who have been willing in every generation to push past the fear of a broken heart and become deeply involved in forming a more perfect union. We're America. And we believe in our future, and we know we have the ability to shape our future.” That must be our answer back on November 4th. So get out and vote as if your life depends upon it. Because it does.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
