Our America
Essay on America23 total reviews
Comment from Donya Quijote
A very interesting essay. Our history is very important and does much to explain why we are they way we are. Sadly, few Americans truly know the history of this nation. It is a dark history and that is likely why we don't know it. We prefer Hollywood type renditions that are very sanitized.
As a teacher, one thing I find quite funny is that we require newly minted citizens to take what is known as the citizenship test, a test of mostly history and civics, a test that most Americans graduating high school cannot even pass.
Interesting to say the least...
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2017
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A very interesting essay. Our history is very important and does much to explain why we are they way we are. Sadly, few Americans truly know the history of this nation. It is a dark history and that is likely why we don't know it. We prefer Hollywood type renditions that are very sanitized.
As a teacher, one thing I find quite funny is that we require newly minted citizens to take what is known as the citizenship test, a test of mostly history and civics, a test that most Americans graduating high school cannot even pass.
Interesting to say the least...
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 23-Jun-2017
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Thanks for reading Donya and your feedback. I'm sure you're right about history and peoples knowledge. Talking to a nephew recently, and he didn't know that there were both South and North Korea. The kid is over 40!
Comment from Mustang Patty
thank you so much for sharing this essay on America. You have done a good job of incorporating the facts of America's sins - which are usually swept under the carpet, because we are the good guys - right?
I appreciate what you had to say,
~patty~
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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thank you so much for sharing this essay on America. You have done a good job of incorporating the facts of America's sins - which are usually swept under the carpet, because we are the good guys - right?
I appreciate what you had to say,
~patty~
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Hi Patty - we are the good guys, but ......
Comment from humpwhistle
Bill, you are a man after my own heart. America's biggest problem is history.
We don't have much. Therefore, we created Minute Rice.
You make several important points.
Our understanding of the world is biased by the ignorance of youth.
We're giddy over our new-found might. The rest of the world knows what's 'new-found' is 'soon lost'. Wait a few hundred years. The Chinese are in no hurry. The Russians are in no hurry.
As for atrocities, America is toddler gifted with a bloody hammer.
To love America, is to recognize America--and to work toward making it live up to its vaunted principles.
I could go on all day.
Thanks, Bill.
Peace, Lee
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Bill, you are a man after my own heart. America's biggest problem is history.
We don't have much. Therefore, we created Minute Rice.
You make several important points.
Our understanding of the world is biased by the ignorance of youth.
We're giddy over our new-found might. The rest of the world knows what's 'new-found' is 'soon lost'. Wait a few hundred years. The Chinese are in no hurry. The Russians are in no hurry.
As for atrocities, America is toddler gifted with a bloody hammer.
To love America, is to recognize America--and to work toward making it live up to its vaunted principles.
I could go on all day.
Thanks, Bill.
Peace, Lee
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Hi Lee - one of the reviewers made an excellent point .... When people say they are proud to be an American, more accurate would be to say they are lucky to be an American. You could just has easily been born in Haiti. I got all excited, because she touched on a theory of mine called the wrong hole theory. If life sucks for you, well, you were just born out of the wrong hole. I wanted to approach her on this, but decided not to.
Comment from Sasha
I love that you describe many Americans as arrogant, many are. I now live in Mexico and so many of the Americans are arrogant and openly critical of Mexican culture. I am lucky to be an American but also lucky to have had the opportunity to live in a different, but great, culture unlike America. Excellent work with this. We, as Americans, need to face reality and know that we are not perfect.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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I love that you describe many Americans as arrogant, many are. I now live in Mexico and so many of the Americans are arrogant and openly critical of Mexican culture. I am lucky to be an American but also lucky to have had the opportunity to live in a different, but great, culture unlike America. Excellent work with this. We, as Americans, need to face reality and know that we are not perfect.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Hi Sasha - like you, I have lived in another country. In my case, Germany. I used to see young American GI's step off the plane with such an arrogant attitude. Sorry to say, but when I was off post, I went out of my way to not dress or behave like an American. Other cultures can be so rich. In my past life, I had some regional sales responsibility for Mexico. I too was enriched by the experience of spending time in Mexico.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for posting this. I do believe we should never forget our history or we are in danger of repeating it. I wasn't alive during WWII, but my parents were and we have discussed the horrible things that happened on all fronts.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Thank you for posting this. I do believe we should never forget our history or we are in danger of repeating it. I wasn't alive during WWII, but my parents were and we have discussed the horrible things that happened on all fronts.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Hi Barbara - a couple of trigger points encouraged me to write this. Thanks for reading and for your kind and generous feedback.
Comment from JW
Thanks for sharing this article and the information therein.
To be honest, I used to be proud to be an American. Sure, this country is/was not perfect. But, I thought, overall, we had a great nation.
However, that changed when we elected the King of Arrogance as President. Due to his actions, inaccuracies, etc. - now I only feel embarrassed.
And BTW, no, I am not a Democrat. JW
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Thanks for sharing this article and the information therein.
To be honest, I used to be proud to be an American. Sure, this country is/was not perfect. But, I thought, overall, we had a great nation.
However, that changed when we elected the King of Arrogance as President. Due to his actions, inaccuracies, etc. - now I only feel embarrassed.
And BTW, no, I am not a Democrat. JW
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Thanks for reading JW and I do appreciate your comments
Comment from c_lucas
America's sins are great stains on our History. Six million are said to be killed by the German government, while Americans are guilty of annihilating the Indian Race. Very good job of writing, Bill. Charlie.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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America's sins are great stains on our History. Six million are said to be killed by the German government, while Americans are guilty of annihilating the Indian Race. Very good job of writing, Bill. Charlie.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Thanks for reading Charlie and for your kind and generous feedback!
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You're welcome, Bill. Charlie
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Very interesting to say the least. You've done good research. I'm glad you shared this, for people need to know the truth, both good and bad.
Funny how people often say, "I'm proud to be an American." There is NO REASON to be proud, since all you did was get born here! You SHOULD say, "I'm lucky to be an American." It's just luck that God put you here instead of Zimbabwe or North Korea, etc.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Very interesting to say the least. You've done good research. I'm glad you shared this, for people need to know the truth, both good and bad.
Funny how people often say, "I'm proud to be an American." There is NO REASON to be proud, since all you did was get born here! You SHOULD say, "I'm lucky to be an American." It's just luck that God put you here instead of Zimbabwe or North Korea, etc.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Thanks for reading Phyllis and for your comments. Love your thinking about proud and lucky. Bill
Comment from Thomas Bowling
This is a very good story. I recently published a book titled The West. One of the subjects it deals with is the systematic eradication of the American Indians as settlers pushed west. It was tragic.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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This is a very good story. I recently published a book titled The West. One of the subjects it deals with is the systematic eradication of the American Indians as settlers pushed west. It was tragic.
Comment Written 22-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Thanks for reading and your comments. I think most Americans would be appalled to know some of our history relative to the American Indians. Bill
Comment from WalkerMan
You are right about all you say here. From devastation of Native Americans by European diseases even more than by military attack, to the breaking of treaty after treaty with them whenever it was considered expedient (such as the horridly deadly relocation of the Cherokee nation because their ancestral land was found to have gold beneath it), plus the whole slavery atrocity, we can hardly claim to have had a clean past.
Nevertheless, our wise Founding Fathers did set us on course to become the world's greatest beacon of freedom and attain the overall prosperity so enabled. I our hearts, most of us still know what is right and what needs fixing; yet too many of us lack the will to seriously confront those who right now are working to undermine and destroy all our positive gains. Our most dangerous enemies are now within the gates -- the fake news media that tries to destroy anyone they cannot coherently debate; the corporate leaders whose unquenchable greed and power-lust has become a cancer within, tainting our water with brain- and bone-damaging fluoride, our food with carcinogenic glyphosate and other nasty chemicals, our air with nano-particle aluminum and other poisons from chemtrails (NOT normal jet contrails), and our bodies with mercury- and formaldehyde-laced vaccines that do nothing to prevent disease but frequently have horrid side effects (including death) -- far too often to be credibly called coincidences; and the truth-distorting educational system that hides what is good, praises non-achievers just for showing up while discouraging excellence and ambition, and promotes the lie that our nation was founded on the very principles these traitors actually employ. Like you, I love this country; but I abhor the direction it has taken. Your essay makes excellent points. Well done.
There are several typos, but this review is already long. Ask me by PM if you want me to list them in detail. They do not affect your star rating.
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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You are right about all you say here. From devastation of Native Americans by European diseases even more than by military attack, to the breaking of treaty after treaty with them whenever it was considered expedient (such as the horridly deadly relocation of the Cherokee nation because their ancestral land was found to have gold beneath it), plus the whole slavery atrocity, we can hardly claim to have had a clean past.
Nevertheless, our wise Founding Fathers did set us on course to become the world's greatest beacon of freedom and attain the overall prosperity so enabled. I our hearts, most of us still know what is right and what needs fixing; yet too many of us lack the will to seriously confront those who right now are working to undermine and destroy all our positive gains. Our most dangerous enemies are now within the gates -- the fake news media that tries to destroy anyone they cannot coherently debate; the corporate leaders whose unquenchable greed and power-lust has become a cancer within, tainting our water with brain- and bone-damaging fluoride, our food with carcinogenic glyphosate and other nasty chemicals, our air with nano-particle aluminum and other poisons from chemtrails (NOT normal jet contrails), and our bodies with mercury- and formaldehyde-laced vaccines that do nothing to prevent disease but frequently have horrid side effects (including death) -- far too often to be credibly called coincidences; and the truth-distorting educational system that hides what is good, praises non-achievers just for showing up while discouraging excellence and ambition, and promotes the lie that our nation was founded on the very principles these traitors actually employ. Like you, I love this country; but I abhor the direction it has taken. Your essay makes excellent points. Well done.
There are several typos, but this review is already long. Ask me by PM if you want me to list them in detail. They do not affect your star rating.
Comment Written 21-Jun-2017
reply by the author on 22-Jun-2017
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Thanks WM - I appreciate you reading and your comments. Bill
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You are welcome, Bill. -- Mike
