Post by GrayGhost on Feb 11, 2005 11:02:12 GMT -5
www.americandaily.com/article/6784
By Doug Hagin (02/10/05)
Exactly when did America become a nation of whiners and wimps? When was it when we ceased being a nation of rugged individualism and backbone and tenacity and become a nation consumed with self-pity? What has led us to become a people who love complaining and carping instead of enjoying the blessed liberties we have?
Now before anyone accuses me of bashing America or needlessly characterizing this nation as weak, understand my meaning. Yes, yes, and yes again, we are the greatest nation on earth. This is not a column about how bad Americans are. Rather it is a column about how much better and, in the end, happier we Americans could be.
Think of it this way, are most of the things we Americans complain about really worth the time, energy and stress we use to complain about them? The answer is no, they clearly are not. Look at this year’s biggest sporting event, the Superbowl. Listen to how many of us are actually devoting our valuable time and efforts to whining about how some of the commercials that aired during the game offended us.
What could be a bigger waste of time than this? I mean really now, how does anyone get that upset over a woman, with a large bosom, in a commercial? Sure maybe you thought it was cheap, or childish, or, as I did a funny spot. Actually, devoting any energy or time to debating this ad? Come on folks get a grip.
Not to mention that those complaining about this ad are largely Conservatives. We Conservatives look pretty foolish when we whine over a silly commercial. We are better than that aren’t we? I mean I was stunned to see Ann Coulter, who someone decided was a good talking head for Conservatives, screeching about this stupid commercial, comparing it somehow to pornography! Do your fellow Conservatives a huge favor Ms. Coulter and hush please.
Over recent years, we have all come to expect incoherent and self-absorbed whining from Liberals in America, and we have looked to Conservatives for mature, reasoned debate, but put something the least bit sexy on TV and some Conservatives revert to the old Liberal stand-bys of emotionalism and hyperbole. This is not constructive my friends. With so many truly crucial issues to debate and struggle over should we be crying about a little cleavage for goodness sake?
This trend, I must say is disturbing in the extreme. It seems as if Americans of all political stripes are willing to buy into the demented thinking that says we have some inherent right never, ever to be offended. The most troubling facet of this trend is it that everyone seems to have been infected with a case of offendeditis these days.
Consider carefully a recent case where a Marine general has drawn fire because he dared to say the following about fighting terrorists. "Actually it's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot," "It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up there with you. I like brawling.”
"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them.”
Now Lt. Gen. James Mattis, who has commanded troops in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and who is a highly regarded military leader, is being roasted by over-sensitive Leftists who are worried about offending terrorists. What do these people want? A sensitive, touchy-feely military, consumed with being politically correct? Apparently, so, considering some have demanded the general be booted for his remarks. To heck with the fact that this man has led our troops to victories over evil terrorists is seemingly their message.
How illogical can these folks be? They are willing to sacrifice military excellence for sensitivity. How far will we take this touchy-feely, insanity? Are we actually willing to trade our national security for it?
There are so many examples of this irrationality across America today, and it is a sad sight to take in. We carp about ATM fees of a dollar or two but silently pay taxes that can take up to half of our income every year. Every year our government wastes billions of dollars and we are too busy complaining about TV ads to really do anything about it. Our military is fighting the most evil forces on earth, trying to preserve our way of life and we are worried about never, ever, possibly, even coming remotely close to in any way, to offending anyone.
We are so consumed with our own feelings we ignore over-intrusive government laws banning private, consensual behaviors. We sit by quietly while this same overbearing government targets business owners and cell phone users. Oh but I guess we just do not care anymore do we?
The Confederate flag? who cares about teaching the truth about it and the men who fought for it. We are too concerned with not offending someone who misunderstands that history. Better I suppose for them to be ignorant and not offended than educated. It will cost Southerners their heritage and besmirch great men like Robert E. Lee but we mustn’t dare offend anyone so…
The only thing that does seem to faze us anymore or to rile up our sensibilities to any degree is when our feelings are hurt. What a tragedy that we Americans would trade our freedoms, our tax dollars, our security, and our history to live in a more sensitive, less offensive world.
(Doug was born and raised in Florida now residing in Dallas. He has always loved writing and one day dream of having a nationally syndicated column and radio show. He loves the outdoors, hiking in the Rockies, and football, hockey, and reading.)
Great article!
By Doug Hagin (02/10/05)
Exactly when did America become a nation of whiners and wimps? When was it when we ceased being a nation of rugged individualism and backbone and tenacity and become a nation consumed with self-pity? What has led us to become a people who love complaining and carping instead of enjoying the blessed liberties we have?
Now before anyone accuses me of bashing America or needlessly characterizing this nation as weak, understand my meaning. Yes, yes, and yes again, we are the greatest nation on earth. This is not a column about how bad Americans are. Rather it is a column about how much better and, in the end, happier we Americans could be.
Think of it this way, are most of the things we Americans complain about really worth the time, energy and stress we use to complain about them? The answer is no, they clearly are not. Look at this year’s biggest sporting event, the Superbowl. Listen to how many of us are actually devoting our valuable time and efforts to whining about how some of the commercials that aired during the game offended us.
What could be a bigger waste of time than this? I mean really now, how does anyone get that upset over a woman, with a large bosom, in a commercial? Sure maybe you thought it was cheap, or childish, or, as I did a funny spot. Actually, devoting any energy or time to debating this ad? Come on folks get a grip.
Not to mention that those complaining about this ad are largely Conservatives. We Conservatives look pretty foolish when we whine over a silly commercial. We are better than that aren’t we? I mean I was stunned to see Ann Coulter, who someone decided was a good talking head for Conservatives, screeching about this stupid commercial, comparing it somehow to pornography! Do your fellow Conservatives a huge favor Ms. Coulter and hush please.
Over recent years, we have all come to expect incoherent and self-absorbed whining from Liberals in America, and we have looked to Conservatives for mature, reasoned debate, but put something the least bit sexy on TV and some Conservatives revert to the old Liberal stand-bys of emotionalism and hyperbole. This is not constructive my friends. With so many truly crucial issues to debate and struggle over should we be crying about a little cleavage for goodness sake?
This trend, I must say is disturbing in the extreme. It seems as if Americans of all political stripes are willing to buy into the demented thinking that says we have some inherent right never, ever to be offended. The most troubling facet of this trend is it that everyone seems to have been infected with a case of offendeditis these days.
Consider carefully a recent case where a Marine general has drawn fire because he dared to say the following about fighting terrorists. "Actually it's quite fun to fight them, you know. It's a hell of a hoot," "It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up there with you. I like brawling.”
"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Mattis said. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them.”
Now Lt. Gen. James Mattis, who has commanded troops in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and who is a highly regarded military leader, is being roasted by over-sensitive Leftists who are worried about offending terrorists. What do these people want? A sensitive, touchy-feely military, consumed with being politically correct? Apparently, so, considering some have demanded the general be booted for his remarks. To heck with the fact that this man has led our troops to victories over evil terrorists is seemingly their message.
How illogical can these folks be? They are willing to sacrifice military excellence for sensitivity. How far will we take this touchy-feely, insanity? Are we actually willing to trade our national security for it?
There are so many examples of this irrationality across America today, and it is a sad sight to take in. We carp about ATM fees of a dollar or two but silently pay taxes that can take up to half of our income every year. Every year our government wastes billions of dollars and we are too busy complaining about TV ads to really do anything about it. Our military is fighting the most evil forces on earth, trying to preserve our way of life and we are worried about never, ever, possibly, even coming remotely close to in any way, to offending anyone.
We are so consumed with our own feelings we ignore over-intrusive government laws banning private, consensual behaviors. We sit by quietly while this same overbearing government targets business owners and cell phone users. Oh but I guess we just do not care anymore do we?
The Confederate flag? who cares about teaching the truth about it and the men who fought for it. We are too concerned with not offending someone who misunderstands that history. Better I suppose for them to be ignorant and not offended than educated. It will cost Southerners their heritage and besmirch great men like Robert E. Lee but we mustn’t dare offend anyone so…
The only thing that does seem to faze us anymore or to rile up our sensibilities to any degree is when our feelings are hurt. What a tragedy that we Americans would trade our freedoms, our tax dollars, our security, and our history to live in a more sensitive, less offensive world.
(Doug was born and raised in Florida now residing in Dallas. He has always loved writing and one day dream of having a nationally syndicated column and radio show. He loves the outdoors, hiking in the Rockies, and football, hockey, and reading.)
Great article!