God Bless America AGAIN with Honor!

You and I grew up in a different America, and I see the transition between yours and mine, and between mine and the present.

It seems to me that we are paying the price today for a trend that started in the fifties. The counterculture that started then has evolved into a cult, not of the individual, but of the myth of individuality. We are inundated with the idea that the only way to be an individual is to express our individuality as loudly as possible, without regard to either personal responsibility or respect for others.

Our culture has grown progressively more youth-oriented, replacing the wisdom of our elders with the emotionalism of the inexperienced. We allow to vote people whose whole life experience is in the educational system, public, private, and college, who see society not through the eyes of someone who has experienced life, but whose whole experience is with theory, with someone else telling them how things work. They have the naive opinion that they know how to save the world, and that they can make the theories work, no matter how many times those theories have been debunked.

"I do not respect the President elect as a man, but I respect the office he will hold and I only hope that if he dishonors it, that there will be action taken!"

That is KEY!

I am in yet another generation of America from yourself and Arik. My generation is the generation of Seattle grunge music, PETA members supporting animals rights and at the same time denying human rights, storming stages of conservative speakers, disrespecting anyone that doesn't agree with you, being friends and not parents, everything wrong with me is because i wasn't hugged enough, whining babies.

People are without honor, dignity, and virtue. It is more important for people to have their 15 minutes of fame, even if it is being on a Girls Gone Wild video that the commercial plays at 2:00am on Comedy Central with girls taking their shirts off and making out with other girls going "I'm finally 18!" Is that honor? Is that self respect? Their parents must be SO PROUD!

Lying and presenting your case without evidence has become acceptable. Checking facts before disrespecting your president is acceptable. Dishonoring Sarah Palin's family and then waiting weeks and running a story on page 9 instead of the front cover retracting the statements when the original alligations were front page news is acceptable.

This is not the America I knew as a young child...

I recited the pledge every morning until I graduated HS. K-12. When I briefly went to Catholic school, we prayed every morning after the pledge, before we were dismissed for lunch, and before we left school in the afternoon.

I remember not just saluting the flat during the National Anthem at sporting events, but singing along.

Watch this video from the Stanley Cup Finals 2006. Listen to the Edmonton Oilers fans ALL stand and sing Oh, Canada.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meLpuF9UMvk

It's BEAUTIFUL. Love of country is beautiful.

Do you know why I LOVE watching the Olympics? Because it seriously warms my SOUL when the US wins and I see the salute of the flag and hear our National Anthem. It literally brings me to tears every single time. It's silly to some, but it is more symbolic than people realize.

We want instant gratification. If we don't get want we want when we want it, we pout and whine. Prime example: Iraq. We knew going in that it was going to be a long haul, but within weeks, so many sheeple were bored with it, impatient for it to be over. Was it even a month before they pulled out the old chestnut: Quagmire? Rome wasn't built in a day, but dammit, Iraq better not take more than a month.

We are a disposable society. When we get bored with something, we discard it, without regard to repercussions. Look at pop music. In my opinion, good music is good, no matter how old it is, but our culture says that if it's more than a few days old, it sucks. The same American Idol winners they cheer today, suck tomorrow, and that is emblematic of our society. I believe this Obama's entire campaign was noting more than a Very Special Episode of American Idol. Style, not substance. But, unfortunatley, that's what they go for nowadays.

Damn I feel old.

But, all in all, I believe my nation, despite its faults, is still the best on Earth. My country, right or wrong, When right, to be kept right, when wrong, to be set right.

If we teach our kids right, there will be hope for the future.

How's that for a duet. :)

great minds think alike my friend!

Good post!

No, it's not the country I grew up in. Not even remotely. I feel the only way we'll ever get it back is another world war. Sad...

Yes, I'm a little older than you, Ha! I grew up in the 70s. I was a child in the 60s. Also, I don't know what region of the country you grew up in, but I grew up in the South and we were taught RESPECT, FAITH and MANNERS were first; not necessarily in that order. Adults came first and there was starting to be rebellion, but it was quashed by most parents and those in authority.

We were taught to figure things out for ourselves, and not to rely on others. Instant gratification was not heard of. I remember being given a passbook for a savings account when I was in Kindergarten by my grandparents to learn how to use my money. If we were to pout and whine, we had our butts spanked, it was intolerable, even corporal punishment was allowed at school!

Re: Iraq, President Bush told us at the beginning that our enemy didn't think the way our society did. THEY LOOK THROUGH THE LONG LENS OF HISTORY, NOT A SHORT SPAN OF TIME AND THAT WE COULDN'T EXPECT IT TO BE OVER SHORTLY. But nobody listened to him. They were upset because Desert Storm only took 42 days to complete, but this was a more complicated task.

We were also taught to cherish things that were old and only buy things of value, opposite of the 'disposable society.' I have children who are 12 years apart and they have different outlooks on life, it is interesting the difference. My older ones are always telling my son how lucky he is, but he doesn’t get it. I hope that I am raising him with different values than his peers who have the most despicable language that I’ve heard sometimes. So, I agree that if we teach our kids right, we can instill a future to believe in.

I did the pledge up until 10th grade in school. In fourth grade we had to recite the pre-amble of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in front of the class and of course by memory. I sang the pre-amble. Thank you schoolhouse rock.

When Jimmy Carter took office. My mother gritted her teeth and said nothing. My dad said after he won, "God help us all - this is going to be a long 4 years." My mother taught us that you respect the President of the United States and if you don't care for that person, you respect the Office of the Presidency.

Not until Reagan was in office that my mother actually would talk of Kennedy and the "women." She finally announced two years ago that she would not have voted for Bobby Kennedy.

I remember thinking how sad when Nixon left and got on that plane. I was young. Things are not the same as they were. Today when Obama comes on the television, I can not believe the words that come out of my mom's mouth. Hard to believe this woman is my mother.

Yes, that is the key. I hope that he is held to be accountable! You are in the age of my oldest kids, and I know that they had many pressures growing up. I thought that my oldest daughter and I would never make it until she turned 15 and did a turnaround. Now, she is someone that I am very, very proud of! She got her rebellion over with at a young age (thank goodness) and her younger sister learned from her mistakes and was much easier to raise, but I love them all the same!

I remember turning 18 for both of them was a big thing as was 21! Thankfully they'd been raised in church and I was able to stay at home until they were adolescents, so I was the cool Mom on the block where all the kids wanted to hang out. We did many things together, staging plays and having snack parties in our back yard. I almost always had at least 3 or 4 extra kids each day in the afternoon and sometimes more in the summer. It was fun, and there were plenty of hugs and lots of love to pass around. This continued into high school, which sometimes irritated them because they wanted to hang out somewhere ELSE...LOL!

I agree with the instant gratification. I think that the Internet is great, but we have become lazy and want answers in two seconds. Video games are the way to go, not running around outside for hours and playing cops and robbers or pretending you are the Partridge Family. Hey, that was mighty popular in our garage.

It seems we have lost respect for each other in many ways.

As for Iraq, yes many people thought this was going to be quick and easy like Desert Storm and could not believe it lasted longer than it did.

I remember when the hostages were released from Iran. My dad said if we don't do something now, they will come back to haunt us in years to come.

Also being a teacher for a few years, we went through the "no red pen" grading which was lame. It lasted one test and the students revolted against black and it was back to red. I actually got written up for that. I had the students obey rules and actually respect each other. Cell phones had to be dumped in a basket. As I was considered the hardest grader. I also had the highest attendance rating out of any teacher. And the other teachers could not believe it because I was so mean. In the words of one student, "I come to your class every day because you actually teach us something and you want to. You are are a teacher not a babysitter or butt kisser."

I hope it doesn't come to that but I've wondered the same thing. Right now there are so many fractions: Somalian pirates, Iranian executers, Islamic terrorists, Lebanon vs Israel, am I being redundant?

There are terrorists everywhere and the Russian Putin is a loose canon.

We recited the pledge of allegiance as a school unless the weather was bad, then we did it in our classes with the principal leading over the intercom. I remember learning the preamble as well and the first 10 Amendments. Jimmy Carter was my first test, I was in college and engaged to a petroleum engineer. I remember we had many talks at home about our displeasure re: the shutdown of domestic oil production and the fact that he made us more dependent on foreign oil than ever before.

It was no surprise when he ran against Reagan he only garnered 49 electoral votes to Reagan's 489! Reagan ran on strength of military amd wouldn't mess with terrorists, he went after them. He took us from a recession to an economic surge. He eliminated many taxes and made sure that people's money was theirs to spend, if you can spend your money, the economy will rebound. I don't remember the Kennedy's except for Ted and what I know of him is nothing honorable.

I too get goosebumps when I hear our National Anthem and I still sing along whether others do or not. There is a 3rd verse that many don't know, I'll find it and post it afterwhile. I still have pride to be an American. It makes me think of the movie "Sound of Music" when they sang 'Eidelweiss.' It didn't matter that Germany was taking over Austria, it was still their birthland.

My kids call me the "Google Queen" because if they ask something and I don't know, I look it up. But for my son, he has one game that he always plays and I wonder sometimes if he's missing out. I remember hanging out with my friends, being a pommie and a rifle captain, Spanish club, Journalism, and Student Senate Secretary. I was really involved. I look at him and he has no desire.

I think you did well as a teacher, they respect the teachers who spend the time to make them think and obey. Some of them won't get that at home, it's sad.

We did the pledge as a school in elementary school. It would start with the announcement over the loud speaker and then we would begin. I do remember that.

I always sing the National Anthem and I have a horrible voice. ugh! I get mad when I am baseball games and people won't take off their hats. If it is someone by me, I tell them. I also watch the Olympics and I love when the anthem is played and the flags are raised. That is such a sense of pride.

Carter I was too young. I remember driving to the gas station to park the car overnight, so dad could get gas in the morning. We thought it was a cool outing! Yeah!

I remember when Carter lost. My mom drank with joy. My dad was so happy. I do remember Amy Carter and Billy and of course put on a sweater.

My mom really loved Nixon. I do remember that. I also remember the hard core, I am a registered Democrat mom. She voted once for Democrat, Kennedy. It was her first time voting. She thought he was handsome. Her dad did find out and grounded her. Go figure! I was not born during Kennedy.

In fact when we moved to CA and my mom went to register, my dad was like don't register Democrat. They were considered duds. Times have changed.

and academia and journalism are the front lines. Change the players there, we change our culture.

"Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand between their loved homes and the war’s desolation, Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land. Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a Nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto: "In God is our Trust” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave." 4th Stanza of Star Spangled Banner

Many people don't realize this stanza exists, but it is another declaration of IN GOD WE TRUST!

I was in lower elementary school the 1st time Nixon ran and I carried homemade signs around to campaign for him; made my teachers smile and chuckle. I became a political activist as a VERY young child! My grandparents were 'yellow-dog democrats' which meant, even if a yellow dog ran they would vote for it over a Republican. They lived through the depression and came out on top through oil discovery, natural gas and hard work. They were very Upper Class, but they made it on their own.

My parents were registered democrat to keep peace in the family, but they almost always voted Republican, I am registered Republican and vote for the person.

Boy, that would be a turnover in our nation! If we could have conservs in our State universities and reporting the news, it would definitely upset the applecart!

I have always been patriotic and still tear up hearing the "National Anthem". "Battle Hymn of the Republic" rocks!

When I was in elementary school, we were taught the Pledge in first grade and said it daily. Now the left and civil libs protest they do not think their children should be "forced" to pledge allegiance to their country. The same country that provides infrastructure, security, education, etc. What do they want?

The demise of culture and society comes from within. You cited the breakdown of the family and of education. Once upon a time, I wanted to be a teacher! I cannot imagine entering a classroom with a whip and a chair every day. The hands of teachers are tied and discipline in the class cannot be enforced and does not exist. There are so many reports of the lack of respect, violence against teachers, taunting them and calling them vile names, and nothing can be done to the students. Thank the NEA and political correctness.

Today, Americans have no clue of what sacrifice is. They go to the store and buy whatever they want. This economic crisis will be serious and will force all of us to cut back in many ways. Perhaps the impending hard times will bring families together and sharing with each other. Very thoughtful post, Str8! Thanks!

I was a kid the 70's - missed Woodstock by 2 months...

I am always amazed at how much was happening while I was unaware, before I thought about current events. Watergate, the Fall of Saigon, Munich. I was only 7 miles or so from the Kent State shootings at the time they happened.

The first thing I remember about national politics was my next-door-neighbor saying her father, a union member, would get laid off if Ford were elected. That would have been first grade. I remember Reagan's inauguration, and the release of the hostages (5th grade). we watched live on TV in the cafeteria, as we did the first space shuttle launch.

There was so much around us that we were only peripherally aware of. Through eighth grade, we said the Pledge every morning, but we never had prayers in school, unless there was a tragedy of some sort. In high school choir, we sang a Christmas show, with sacred music from the classical composers, because if you are going to sing the classical composers, that's mostly all there is. Nowadays, you can't sing about God, but you CAN sing hymns to Obama Almighty.

Great Post and good comments all around. This 1972 classic can see the evolving paradime that has robbed America of it's core values. It goes to what I was saying in an earlier post. It is truly amazing and sad what has become "mainmstream" in this society and what has become "extreme". It seems that all the normal things you mentioned families used to do are looked down upon and all of the crazy behavior that used to be shameful and looked down upon is now celebrated. Another thing that has damaged us is the sheer lack of time. We are now a busier society but it seems that we get less done. That is why I am looking forward to the holidays that is the only time the family gets together anymore. My mother is the only person I get to see on a regular basis. Again, great post.

I also like the Lee Greenwood song even though I'm single, I apply it to my family, because without my family, what would I have to live for? "That I'm proud to be an American Where at least I know I'm free And I won't forget the men who died Who gave that right to me And I gladly stand up . . next to you and defend her still today Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA!" There's more but that is the chorus.

I'm thinking of being a substitute teacher, you only need 60 credit hours and I have 96. I've wondered what I'll face. My daughter is a bilingual first grade teacher, but I'm not sure I want to teach kids that young.

I believe some of those who sacrifice the most today are our military and our teachers of K-12.

You were probably lucky to miss Woodstock, I don't know much about except what I've read and it sounds like a crazy drug-fest, orgie that I never would have attended! My daughters are both excellent singers and they were in select choir, with my youngest getting every solo she auditioned for. You're correct that all the classics are spiritual.

My son had to take choir until 6th grade and we were in a rural area. The principal and superintendent are very strong Christians. Each year at Christmas, I was always amazed and delighted how many Christian songs they sang.

You're right the roles have reversed and much to our nation's detriment. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next four years. People work longer hours or are 'involved' in many activities. Busy as you said, it makes living a 'normal' life make people seem archaic.

Great post! But sooo depressing. I am about your age, and I remember Catholic school (K-6), going to mass during school hours once a week, the Pledge daily, prayers before meals...playing outside all day long, every day, even in the middle of a Green Bay "Frozen Tundra" winter. The discipline, the respect, the pride in our country was very evident, until Viet Nam and the protests became the rage. Fueled by drugs and radicals infiltrating academia and the media, the counter-culture became the status quo, and the office of the President became prime fodder. There is no more respect for authority. One thing we can look forward to, however, is the convention of building people up to knock them down. I give Pres-elect Barry 6 months before he overreaches and gets his come-uppance,either from the press or some foreign leader/event. Then we all get to gloat ;-)

PATIENCE My Dear, PATIENCE! ACORN Hussein Obama has inserted HIS OWN TAIL SECURELY IN A CRACK! The Clintonistas, pandering to ACORN & BIG Labor and The Rorschach Nature of his candidacy WILL make his life a living HELL!

I really 'hope' BO proves me wrong, but he hasn't given me anything to believe in and if he were honorable, he would handle things straight on; which he hasn't. If he fails, I won't gloat, though. I just hope something will be done to correct his mistakes. I could also understand impeachment.

Yes, he's in deep with the Clintons that is very true which may just be his own undoing. Maybe he thinks keep your friends close and your enemies closer!

I also raised my four kids like we were raised. I'm a RN and did Home Health Care the past 8 years till I retired. What I've seen in homes with school aged kids just blows my mind. Kids screaming & cussing their parents, not going to school, drinking, smoking, doing drugs, watching porn (frequently with the parents)..............it's unbelievable. Dr. Spock's influence beginning late 40's & picking up steam in the 50's & 60's is at the source of a lot of what we are seeing today. It's really sad and it won't improve until parents (and the spock society) wakes up.

Great post Str8.

I was going back to school to get my RN, but after anterior cervical discectomy (3 discs w/fusion) I decided to go for my PA instead. I've met some roadblocks though. I went to the U and asked the quickest way to get my bachelor's and they said I should do a combined major of English/Communications w/a minor in History. My nursing courses will apply to my PA, thank goodness!

I have one still at home, he's the one that I am most concerned about. I can't imagine parents watching porn with their kids. My son thinks I'm so strict! Wow! How do they expect their kids to turn out?

I remember one kid my son used to hang out with and his parents were 'chameleons.' Their son brought over an "R" rated movie at the age of 12 and I said "we don't allow those." I told his parents that I took it from him when they picked him up and they said they didn't allow them either. Later I found out their kids watched them all the time. Plus the dad came and tried to jump our mechanical gate to beat my son up for rough housing in the hall with his son one day. He even drove his company van and I reported him. He was like a maniac screaming; he left a threatening voice mail on our phone. My son and I were out of town and my ex-husband saw all of this from the house!

VERY well written and God Bless America!!!-we will pull through!!!!I am so thankful to be an American--tomarrow is Thanksgiving there is a VERY special place in my heart in gratitude for the precious liberties God has given us--EXCELLENT post.

I am new here. I have read many of the blogs here and I am so encouraged to see the patriotism!!!!We know that there is indeed hope when those who have light are not afraid to shine. Keep up the good work srt8talk!!

Yes, I consider myself a patriot! We have much to be thankful for no matter what we may be going through, we could always be worse off! Thank you for the compliments!

Thank you. I will keep the light on! Welcome to my blog.

Snow Knight - I forgot to say welcome to you also!

TO EVERYONE, OR FOR THOSE WHO ARE STAYING HOME, I WISH YOU THE BEST AND IF YOU HAVE FAMILY JOINING YOU SAFE TRAVELS TO THEM! IT WILL ONLY BE MY SON, MY FATHER AND ME THIS THANKSGIVING, SO I'M NOT REAL ENTHUSED. BUT I AM GRATEFUL THAT GOD IS WATCHING OVER ME AND MY FAMILY AND PRAY THAT THEY WILL BE SAFE WHEREVER THEY ARE AND HAVE FUN WITH THE PEOPLE THEY CELEBRATE WITH!

...I think we grew up in the same country at least. Alas, my daughters have not. That's one of the reasons we homeschooled them. If I may indulge in a moment of self-aggrandizement, I think much of what you have seen in the downhill slide of our country has its roots in changes I've summarized here:

http://theinterface.blogtownhall.com/2007/03/17/amusing_our selves_to_death__part_finale_-_thinking_ourselves_to_life.t html

from a series on an ignored book described therein. Sorry for the length, but there's much information there.

May you and yours have a happy Thanksgiving!

New Post at my place, stop on by

It is a different country today, and our work is cut out for us, to preserve and bring back the values of our founding Fathers.

I saw a special on the White House tonight on the History channel, and it was so touching to see Laura and W as they spoke of their time there, and the honor it has been for them.

W brought honor to the White House. I'm thankful for his sevice to our country.

God bless America!

Sometimes I've wondered if this is a wake-up call for the '85%' of God-believing Christians to renew their faith and bring back the values that we believe in. The values that this country was founded on. Thanks for your comments, I wish I had seen that special.

I have the movie "Faith in the White House." It was made by an independent non-partisan company. I think they were going to try to put down his faith, but instead found out that he is indeed a man that puts his faith in God and encourages his staff to do so as well. We won't see that in the next four years unless there is a turn-around!

Fantastic post. I've been thinking those very things, but you wrote them!
I'm older than you, but you described my childhood perfectly.
I'm glad my kids grew uo over here and missed the deteriorization of education there. They both went to reigious schools here and got out just before things in the schools here went haywire.
I could write a book, but I'll just repeat great post!

Thank you! I think you've been living a rich life in Israel and a very brave one also. There are not many Americans who would stay there under the turmoil that rages daily. If you ever want to talk more you have my email through the TH bloggers' list.

When I lived in the Tulsa area, I had several Jewish friends. My neighbors actually named their daughter after one of my daughters; to keep them straight we called them "big" and "little" because they were 3 years apart. They had me join the Jewish Community Center which was a mixture of American and Israeli Jews. The ones who had grown up in Israel spoke their mind. I finally realized it was because they grew up in an environment where they never knew if there would be a 'tomorrow' so if you had something to say you better say it today! They sometimes seemed blunt, but after you realized what they came from, it was easier to accept their attitudes.

Thanks for the birthday greetings. It was a really great birthday.