God Bless America!

It is one of my all time favorites (I prefer delivery by the late, great Kate Smith), head-to-head with 'Amazing Grace' and 'The Battle Hymn of The Republic'. Those wonderful songs always cause me to consider what they mean and the sacrifices made to give Americans what we have.

Free speech is guaranteed to all, even those who both repudiate and abuse it, but guaranteed nonetheless. Americans can denounce their leaders, disrespect our military and lament their perceived conspiracies, yet be secure that their public outcries are protected. This is one of the most cherished of our many rights. One of many that men and women defend with their lives, even this second, and have through generations. It is not the case in so many countries that are frequently lauded for their more "civilized and progressive" natures.

On a day like today, I stop to consider not just the encouragement and propaganda opportunities that the anti-war participants give our enemies, but especially the impact it must make on the soldier's psyche. Isn't it sacrifice enough to have these fine men and women go put their lives on the line for the rest of us every single day, for months and years on end? How rude and inconsiderate can people be of the monumental efforts they are making?

Our military has the very same powerful communication capabilities we have in internet news and live television. It is there for them to see and digest every day, too. Yet they turn their backs on the din of cowardly noise from home and fight on anyway. The word "hero" is tossed around far too callously these days, but not in the case of our incredible military!

It is important to realize the appreciated support the military also get from another wing of free speech, and that would be bloggers. Specifically, Conservative bloggers. It is easy to lose track of the actual difference this medium of speaking out makes, but all you have to do is more closely examine. It is time well spent and caringly invested. There is a huge exchange of ideas and information. It promotes realization of groundswell support, the very fibers of which are everything that is "grass roots". And it reminds our fighters how much many of us really care.

If it is tough to deal with the time and invasion of your personal life that sitting down to speak out requires, consider the sacrifices the military makes for you 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Much like the folks you "type to", those military men and women don't know you either. But they give and give and give more. Be inspired by the soldier's fight... they give so much more than the rest of us. Bloggers and the tsunami public outcry they stirred are surely a huge part of the recent Senate defeat of Shamnesty. It really is the least we can do.

Do have your self-imposed 'battles' with folks of differing opinions. Don't back down because you feel you will never open eyes or help an apathetic to see. That's how it is done. With facts, history and as much calm as you can possibly muster and maintain. You are correct... therefore, there's no need to lose your unalienable cool. (OK, I hear ya'... just remind me when I do it next time, OK?) It's how people are coaxed to see reality and examine their previous habits of disconnection and disinterest.

Perhaps you have friends or family who have rolled their eyes when they learned that you take the time to read, research and blog. How do they do in a discussion with you, or perhaps even a "debate"? Have you ever been sought out by them and specifically asked about your views regarding something political? Does that not tell you how they really see your interest when they seek your opinion?

I had a call from a lifelong, Conservative friend two days ago to ask me who Fred Thompson was and what I thought of him. At first, I thought he was joking. He was dead serious. I couldn't imagine that he didn't know and hadn't followed Thompson for years, as I have done.

Yesterday, I was relating the conversation to another friend who stopped by my business. I got half way into explaining my surprise that this other friend didn't know who Fred Thompson is, when I saw him getting red faced with embarrassment. He didn't know either.

My friends are not false Conservatives, just disinterested and feeling defeated. Does this mean that Fred can't win? No, it means that Fred is yet undiscovered by many good folks. When they learn about him and realize the change in the hum drum that has so completely turned them off in the first place, they will be re-energized. We, the more interested and informed, each can help that occur. Values matter to these people, but they won't invest the time and study in politics that so many bloggers do.

To a great extent, those people rely upon us in their small community groups. This is why we read, speak out and write... Gail. This is why you are hooked, too. It is why you can't escape contributing your part. By my count, you were able to resist posting 'political' a full five days! HA! What a wonderful lady you are!

I do all I can to encourage young adults to really think about the issues. The most recent topic I shared with a young aquaintance was about citizenship and what it means. Children and youth need to more frequently have that discussion. If you can start them thinking, you can start a real fire. Here's a really cool quiz that helps you consider your citizenship worthiness! (It is a link to a link, but I do that intentionally, both because that is how I found it plus I want you to check out this rock solid lady's incredible devotion to defending our 2nd Amendment. Great stuff!)

For readers who are patriotic like myself, I encourage you to view Urban Infidel's American flag images with slide show. It is her usual stunning art. It also gives pause to consider what she found to be the disappointing rarity of flag displays. Take heart, UI... some fine folks still think the flag is ultra-cool! She is a very passionate and skilled Brooklyn photographer who routinely risks her life and limb to photograph extreme leftist loon parades. Another case again of a blogger who views it as a duty to share with the world what she sees. Her archives will really open your eyes. A newly created separate blog, just for her "pretty" images, can be enjoyed here, too.

Angel has written yet another very thought provoking post about the nation's birthday and its' parallels in theology. Unlike the non-believer's often expressed wishes to mute, remove and desparage faith based folks' practices regarding religious expression, she reviews some history of our founder's views and their influence on the creation of this country. She also preaches something that the left claims they invented... "tolerance". Go figure.

I hope everyone finds their own enjoyable way to consider, share and celebrate this nation's glorious 231st birthday. Hopefully it motiovates you, as it does me, to be EVER thankful to our warriors and continue to contribute your time, efforts and cheritable donations to good causes. We each can do so much if we choose to.

And on that note, perhaps most worthy of mention on such a wonderful day, I received an e-mail from a good friend pointing me to another Real American. The e-mailer chose not to be named, and the link was actually found by him over at The Jawa Report. (Now that is an excellent blog that uses some pretty turbulent language rather frequently. I know that alone would keep some of my readers from checking it out and following the posts there, but to do so is to miss some great content.)

At any rate, get some absorbent paper products readied and don't miss viewing this honorable woman's story.

Happy Birthday, oh beautiful, steadfast America!

Please make time to pause in silence and pray for those fallen. They and their families have given everything they had to offer... for us. Please celebrate the important meaning of these gifts bestowed upon us with all appropriate reverence and pride!