PATRIOTISM IS NOT DEAD! (A response to an Australian friend)

[HARDCORE]

Location: Northmead,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia

Re: A Gallant Parade Of Ships

[quote]Originally posted by HARDCORE [b]I This is, after all, the finest group of young men and women ever assembled upon the face of the Earth!

Sorry if I seem pedantic but it's suprising what the addition of 'one' or two little words can make to the validity of what should be an accurate statement complementing the rest of your post!!!!.

ie This is, after all, one of the finest groups of young men and women ever assembled upon the face of the Earth!

My comment is objective, as I'm sure you can understand, having regard to my origins.

Wazza
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?PATRIOTISM IS NOT DEAD!? (A response to an Australian friend)

My dear friend ?Down Under?, had you not reacted in the patriotic fashion that you did, I would have been amazed! There are, after all, many similarities between Australia and we here in the United States, and you gents do make one helluva fine beer (or is that BE-AH)!!

Some of my pieces do indeed reference many (not all) of our World Allies. ?You are ours, of course, and we are naturally yours!? Were we not there when the Japanese started ?Island Hoping? in your direction early in World War II? And ah, those magnificent PT boats that held the line in the Solomons against a (then) victorious Japanese Navy. Iron men indeed, perched atop plywood boats, or encapsulated within steel coffins, deep beneath the waves that risked all to insure that the enemy would advance no further. And many of these gallant American souls still rest beneath the waters, not far from your coastline!

But then, had it not been for an ?Heroic Australian Coast Watcher?, we would have never
had our 35th President, would we? Your Australian Coast Watchers were instantly put to death by our mutual enemies (during World War II) when caught, as no Geneva Convention was there to (at least) partially protect them, as they risked their lives along ?The Slot?! ?And yes indeed, your Anzac Troops were among the best!?

You must, however agree that we do have a great deal in common. Both of our peoples sprung from an adventurous lot, pioneers and frontiersmen all! Men and women of the land who carved out a nation under the most difficult of times and circumstances! I therefore agree that you have every right in the world to be proud, just as I (make that we Americans) have that same right, do you not agree?

Ah yes my friend, Patriotism Is Not Dead, and we Americans are lucky indeed to number Australia among our (true) international friends! But you must also agree that there are those who roost amidst the ?Vested Nests Of The United Nations? who detest all that our two great nations stand for!! We do indeed have Allies, but unfortunately, all who slither forth from the cracks at the UN, do not necessarily fall within this category, do they? And some of those (who have of late) played the roles of Judas and Brutus, were also once
trusted friends whom we assisted in their times of need!

My Australian Friend, your patriotism is to be applauded, as is the patriotism of those within our own nation (U. S. of A.) who love their country as much as you love yours! But you will excuse me if I reiterate that - ?The gallant kids that I met during Fleet Week, San Diego, and their counterparts within our various U.S. military services, are still the ?Finest In The World?, in my opinion of course!!!!

To quote the last letter of Pilot Officer V.A. Rosewarne, written in the year of my birth (1940), and now inscribed upon the portrait of the young airman in the RAF Museum:

?THE UNIVERSE IS SO VAST AND SO AGELESS THAT THE LIFE OF ONE MAN [OR WOMAN] CAN ONLY BE JUSTIFIED BY THE MEASURE OF HIS [OR HER] SACRIFICE!?

VERITAS

[reconeil]

...and since you're both unarguably as patriotic and have your heads screwed-on as straight as it gets,...let's split the difference.

So, and for whatever cockamamie, strange, weird and/or naively politically-correct reasons,...let's just say that patriotism nowadays has been badly wounded in America.

Hey, and what-the-hell, when TRUE American Patriots here are often labelled: "Radical Right-Wing Racists" by Leftists, I must believe that I'm not to far off the mark, Fellas. Do you think I am?

Neil

[JeffL]

Neil, please include this old former Coastguardsman in your group of Leftist-described "Radical Right-Wing Racists."

I don't agree that US patriotism has been wounded. Those of us who were taught patriotism by our parents, in school and in the service don't question patriotism, because there is no need to do so. We may question and not respect our leadership, but not patriotism. The recent generations who weren't fortunate enough to have such teachers and experiences are the problem, if indeed a patriotism problem exists.

And I think it's not necessarily just a US problem, since Liberalism and poor teachers are not restricted to only the US. True history isn't being taught any more, but the revisionist history - ahhh, yes! If history is taught at all, that's being taught.

That's my opinion, anyway.

[Boats]

Jeffl,

Well said my Man. I second your thread!

[Wazza]

Jeffl & Boats
I agree with you whole-heartedly. I can't speak for what is taught in U.S. schools but I can tell you that until very recently it was NOT taught in Australian schools. I might add that unfortunately little Australian history was taught in Australian schools either. History lessons in Australia concentrated on English history much to my disgust and I only studied what I was forced to. Deed and word of mouth taught patriotism in this fine land. Much was learnt through the tradition of ANZAC and the events remembered that special day. The fighting spirit of Australians is borne out in their competitive nature. A country of about 20 million people can generate champions in many varied sports. Swimming, athletics, weight lifting and cycling to name a few. It is for that reason I stand up for the world's best no matter where they come from. Obviously I don't stand up for evil or terrorist activities in the context of the worlds best.


Hardcore

Yep. Some of our beer is among the best in the world. Mind you I've never knocked back a Budweiser or a Schlitz. Do they still make Schlitz? I know Budweiser is still made because of the involvement on motor sport. It maybe BE-AH but it's definitely not BA-YER. Hey I love the South because they know how to build and race, cars.

Were we not there when the Japanese started ?Island Hoping? in your direction early in World War II? Ah, but neither were the British! Australians were off fighting for the empire in Europe and Churchill couldn't give stuff about Australia. He was more concerned about the oil fields in the Middle East and Greece - the birthplace of democracy. Our Prime Minister Curtin virtually told Churchill to Get Stuffed' and brought some of the troops home to defend Oz. And Yes Australia owes a great debt of gratitude to those gallant U.S. men and women who fought in the South Pacific. Who can ever forget the Battle of the Coral Sea? - Both from the tactical aspect and for saving Australia's arse [you say ass were say arse].

The Geneva Convention didn't apply to the Japanese in WWII, now did it! History certainly backs that statement.

?And yes indeed, your Anzac Troops were among the best!? [Excellent use of the word among. How different that statement would be without it].

"Have that same right? Hell, yes. That's what freedom is all about. I'd like to post a speech I wrote for my son. The reason I'm on this site is because it was here that I found the information I needed to write the speech. They are not my words but those of your forefathers & some Patriot Files members. I don't believe anyone could have expressed what freedom was about better than those brave revolutionaries. By the way, I would like to point out that Australia achieved her independence by peaceful means not by a revolution. But that's a different story and I fully accept the historical events, behind the beginning of both nations, is vastly different.

The United Nations is at a turning point in its evolution. The representatives from the various nations have a lot to answer if a realistic resolution concerning Iraq is not forth coming. The institution, as a relevant body in world affairs, in on the line. Richard Butler, an Australian, headed the last weapons inspection and did a fine job. He is also extremely critical of the UN, as are we all, in relation to the current resolutions. I think some nations are worried about their oil supplies just like France, albeit Michelin during the Vietnam War and their rubber supplies.

You opinion warrants more than respect and I give it willingly. My comment was made with tongue in cheek, so to speak, and I seriously considered deleting it. If not for the risk of losing your post I would have done so. The written word, unfortunately, does not often convey the meaning and emotion one has within, when in the hands of someone less eloquent than yourself. One doesn't set out to offend but merely extend an opinion.

P.S. I'll save the speech for another thread. [Can't get used to this terminology].

I was born in '49 and always taught to respect my elders

[HARDCORE]

Thanks for the comback Wazza! I do appreciate a beer-drinking man with a sense of humor, especially a youngster!