This was going around the internet...thought I'd pass it to this column:


An Ode to America~
>
> Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if
> you
> painted them all one color! They speak all the languages of the world and
> form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious
> beliefs. Still, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people
> into a hand put on the heart.
>
>
>
> Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the army, and the secret
> services that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty
> their bank accounts. Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape
> about. The Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping
> hand.
>
>
>
> After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the
> smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the
> national flag. They placed flags on buildings and c ars as if in every
> place and on every car a government official or the president was
> passing.
>
> On every occasion, they started singing their traditional song: "God
> Bless America!" I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for
> hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors
> with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the
> Californian hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the
> terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have
> killed other hundreds or thousands of people.
>
>
>
> How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being?
> Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned
> into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions
> and
> millions of dollars were put in a collection aimed at rewarding not a man
> or
> a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy.
>
>
> What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their
> galloping history? Their economic Power? Money? I tried for hours to find
> an
> answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding
> commonplace.
>
> I thought things over, but I reached only one conclusion...Only freedom
> can
> work such miracles.
>
>
>
> Cornel Nistorescu
>

Easy Answer.

Freedom dosen't come free.

As a young nation America still has an incredible sense of National Pride and as such people will lay down life and limb to protect what she stands for.

Ahh the ode homogeneity.  It is our differences that make use strong.  And the ode to the anti- class analysis of US society that tells us we are all in the same boat.  Class analysis (as several of us here employ) is just class warfare (one might evan say a  form of terrorism i guess) and shoud be dismissed.  "shake hands with your bodd and look wise" evan as he ships your job off to China, you lose your health insurance, retirement plan, and income, and applaud the free market mirical that has brought us so much great stuff that you can no longer afford.

Praise the "free market", praise unbridled capitalism, praise the "new world order".  And live in poverty as a result.

Propaganda by any other name ....   ::)

I love your comments Don ... sadly Australia could be going the same way  :(

Propaganda by any other name ....   ::)

I love your comments Don ... sadly Australia could be going the same way  :(


From what i saw Australia is Mini America with a touch of mini britain. It actually seemed a nice mix but of course it wouldn't be if you had seen it before.

Propaganda by any other name ....  ::)

I love your comments Don ... sadly Australia could be going the same way  :(


Thanks Jaytee, and sorry for the typos (the "d" is right next to the "s").  I almost got a job at the university in Cambarra many years ago, but it fell through.  My building secretary's daughter lives in Sydny, I think, and she loves it.  I'd love to visit.

Thanks Jaytee, and sorry for the typos (the "d" is right next to the "s").  I almost got a job at the university in Cambarra many years ago, but it fell through.  My building secretary's daughter lives in Sydny, I think, and she loves it.  I'd love to visit.



I'm in Brisbane - but if you and Cat ever come downunder we'd love to have you!

From what i saw Australia is Mini America with a touch of mini britain. It actually seemed a nice mix but of course it wouldn't be if you had seen it before.



Years ago it was the other way round - Mini Britain with a touch of Mini America.  I just hate the way the  western world seems to be  becoming "generic".

Australia is a great place of live - I couldn't imagine being anywhere else  :)

Ahh the ode homogeneity.  It is our differences that make use strong.  And the ode to the anti- class analysis of US society that tells us we are all in the same boat.  Class analysis (as several of us here employ) is just class warfare (one might evan say a  form of terrorism i guess) and shoud be dismissed.  "shake hands with your bodd and look wise" evan as he ships your job off to China, you lose your health insurance, retirement plan, and income, and applaud the free market mirical that has brought us so much great stuff that you can no longer afford.

Praise the "free market", praise unbridled capitalism, praise the "new world order".  And live in poverty as a result.
I know there's a lot wrong with this country, but I think you're missing the point. I know this isn't a uniquely American thing, but I am always heartened as to how much people will drop their differences and pull together in a crisis, wheter it be an act of terrorism or a natural disaster. I think the point of that essay is how one of our very worst days brought out the very best in people.

As a young nation America still has an incredible sense of National Pride


Got that right.

Got that right.

For better.....
and for worse.

For better.....
and for worse.


I love the analogy Al Franken made. Conservatives love America like mommy.. it can do no wrong and anybody that hurts her is evil. Liberals love America but want to improve her, she can do wrong and will be hurt in the future, however what needs to be done is to make her better.