The American flag is under attack
By: Jerry Newcombe
Happy 4h of July Independence Day weekend! America is an exceptional nation well worth honoring and celebrating. We celebrate our appeal to Heaven being answered and our founding by divine Providence. We are creations of God, equal in his sight. We recognize the inalienable human rights that He alone bestowed upon us. 245 years ago our founders wrote the Declaration of Independence about the truths we all hold dear and like every year we proudly wave our red white and blue old glory and celebrate our exceptional one nation, under God with parades and fireworks from sea to shining sea. We reconfirm our national motto, In God We Trust. An early Happy Independence Day to all Americans who love our country! 🇺🇸🗽🦅
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
As America approaches another birthday on the Fourth of July, we find that there are many in our society that want to tear the flag down. This is obviously a small, vocal minority. But they certainly speak for many Americans today who hate America.
Here are a few examples of the flag being under attack:
•U.S. Olympics athlete Gwen Berry purposefully turned her back on the flag during the National Anthem at an Olympics trial the other day. No respect for her country’s banner.
•Gary Bauer of American Values wrote in his End of Day Report (6/21/21): “In a recent opinion piece, singer Macy Gray attacked our American flag. She said it was ‘tattered, dated, divisive and incorrect.’ Gray compared it to the Confederate battle flag and said it ‘no longer represents democracy and freedom.’ It no longer represents all of us.”
•Transgender BMX freestyle rider Chelsea Wolfe said in a Facebook post last year, “My goal is to win the Olympics so I can burn a US flag on the podium.” Evita Duffy in The Federalist notes: “his 2020 statement makes one wonder why he would even be picked as an Olympic athlete, since he clearly has no respect for the country he will be representing.”
• The Oregonian reports, “Man Who Stole U.S. Flag and Set It On Fire In Front Of Portland Police Precinct Gets Probation.”
The flag may be under attack, but really the nation is under attack. There are many Americans who hate America.
The flag of the United States represents the country. And what is the essence of America? God-given rights and the consent of the governed. Dr. Peter Lillback, founder and president emeritus of the Providence Forum (for which I have the privilege of serving as executive director) notes that the red stripes in the flag stand for “hardiness and valor.” The white ones for “purity and innocence.” And the blue stands for “perseverance, vigilance, and justice.”
Some people say the American flag is outdated because America is fundamentally racist. It’s true that many in the American experience did not initially experience the promise of America, that all men are created equal. But the key is—as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. pointed out—the founders of America made a promissory note in the Declaration of Independence that one day this would apply to all. As King pointed out, America’s problem wasn’t its creed that all men are created equal, but that America was not living up to its creed.
What do we celebrate on the Fourth of July? We celebrate the fact that on that day in 1776, 56 men in Philadelphia who represented three million people in their home states, voted to ratify the final wording of the Declaration of Independence.
The central point of this document is that we have rights given to us by the Creator that cannot be violated by any human authority. The founders declared independence from England, while declaring dependence on Almighty God.
The strict secularists who are trying to remove any vestige of God from the public arena need to realize that in doing so, they are ultimately undermining everyone’s freedom, including their own. Wherever atheistic systems such as Communism or Socialism take over, people lose their rights; then the killing begins.
In a secular state, to whom can the dissident appeal? There is only the state. In contrast, in one nation under God—which the founders created—we can ultimately appeal to God. One of the flags at the time of independence even declares, “An Appeal to Heaven.” Since our rights come from God, it’s not up to the state to determine if we even have rights. What the state gives, the state can take away. That is not true with God-given rights.
The founders declared that they were “appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions.” Lillback once pointed out to me that this is a reference to Jesus in the Declaration. Jesus is the Judge, and the founders knew that.
Does the flag still stand for freedom? One of the most poignant scenes in any movie I’ve ever seen was in “Not Without My Daughter” (1991), starring Sally Field. She and her daughter manage to escape from sharia law and her abusive husband in Iran. The film reaches its climax when they finally escape to nearby Turkey and see the American flag waving outside the American embassy. Seeing that flag and the freedom it represents makes you instantly want to cry.
The flag, whole or tattered, declares: God-given rights, self-government under God, and freedom. Think of the incredible sacrifice of all those who paid “the last full measure of devotion” to our country, defending that flag. And ironically, the flag even symbolizes the freedom that its opponents have in voicing their opposition to it.
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I, a Canadian, seeded a post yesterday praising American arts and artists of the 20th Cent. and all you can come up with is malicious propaganda? Shame on you and shame on the hypocrisy of the 'author' of this ridiculous article! The Deity of Dimwits is in need of a good thrashing.
Don't put yourself in their league. You would have been a loyalist without a doubt.
My Lai
Abu Graib
If it includes you, I'd rather not. As to the video, I was happy to see it included 1 or 2 white people.
Trust me, Canada would have shipped him back.
Ah, more fixation obsession with and upon our mistakes picking at the scab so that it can never be allowed to heal to the extent that all goodness and every positive is drowned out, every goodness denied.
If I were a loyalist they most certainly would not have. Had I been raised in rural BC instead of rural California, I’d have turned out the same. I’d simply be a conservative pro American Canadian.
Had you arrived in British Columbia shortly after the 'Revolution' the Natives would have slaughtered you and your disease ridden body would have been tossed into bottomless chasms. It would have been a righteous kill.
Conservative pro-Americans in BC are the loneliest people on the continent. Rural Flatland Saskatchewan would be more to your liking.
So... Several people are exercising their first amendment rights right out there in the open for God and everybody to see? Horror of horrors! They aren't even toeing the American Taliban line! My flag is doing just fine, thank you. It's flying there and representing the very rights that seem to drive a hot spike of fear through your heart. No wonder you're so sad. Have a happy 4th everybody.
The article defending our flag, our independence day, Declaration of Independence, our founding by divine Providence, the founding fathers, and the source of our rights and blessings is a deeply moving and patriotic remembering of who we are and of what we came from.
Our founding by divine providence? Really? What a slap in the face to the brave patriots who fought, bled and died to free our country from King George III who, by the way, also ruled by divine providence. You call yourself a patriot? You're nothing but a zealot.
Really. It was the founding fathers themselves that said divine Providence played a huge role in their successful revolution. They named a city in Rhode Island for it. They openly appealed to Heaven for the justness of our cause. The founders were quite clear as to their beliefs regarding God in our founding document, other writings, speeches, and the role He played in our success.
Providence RI was founded in 1636 by a religious zealot who was too messed up even for the zealots in Massachusetts. That's well over 100 years before our founding fathers were even born.
Jeez, Steevie! You're cheating, again!
Using facts...
Downright shameful!
The problem for Husker is that they aren't doing it the "right" way (aka his way). See for him freedom is all about doing everything the way he thinks it should be done.
"When Fascism comes to America it will be waving the flag and dragging a cross" - Sinclair Lewis
[deleted] Denigrating all who hold true to our founding principles, celebrating our founding, declaration, our exceptional nation, and flag as fascists. It’s truly sad. God Bless America! 🇺🇸
[deleted]
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What is typical is you feeling free to be offensive as allowed by law and the COH while also being personally offended to your core by any liberal who dares to express their own discontent...
First of all I didn’t flag you or see your comment. Secondly, my post was directed at a comment not a person.
Why the feelings of discontent over something as basic to us as citizens as a celebration of our Independence Day ?
First of all I was talking to Perrie. [deleted] but I wasn't going at you that time. 3.1.2 that is. [deleted]
The coc is clearly different for conservatives here on this site. We are all told to go after the comment content not the person. I clearly do just that and I get bleeped over for labeling a comment the same as the liberal gets for attacking me personally. Not a surprise at all.
I didn't say "deleted" to myself btw.
Always the vitcim. Quit with your fucking bellyaching. I get censored and suspended all the time.
And Perrie, I was just joking about Husker's comment needing to be deleted as taunting. It should be fully restored, I am not a whiny bitch.
If the CoC simply said "No lies", you would be banned.
And in my “perfect” world you would be on those grounds. That’s what would happen if legitimate differences of opinion were arbitrary deleted as lies by the other side. The difference being that I have no desire to see your personal opinion or an author you share one with deleted simply because I disagree with you.
As usual, you didn't understand anything...
If you have to rely on fake quotes, you have no case.
The quote is fake, the case is correct.
Yes, on Jan 6th some Capitol police officers attacked the American flag with their skulls and faces.
I see your patriotism and I raise you
Mine is better.
No, it’s not.
Definitely is, and that is an objective fact. Objective means observable and verifiable to anyone and everyone.
Still doesn't measure up.
Happy 4th of July!
This old liberal will be eating a big juicy American burger, putting on my red, white and blue and then going out to see the fireworks at New York Harbor.
Afterwards I may meet up with George and Hillary to gorge on infant adrenachrome at the pizza parlor...
IDK /s
Lol nice. This liberal will be grilling up some burgers and hot dogs, throwing on some US Olympic trials to root for our athletes, and telling the kids to stop being a pain in the ass.
Oh and of course I will be performing involuntary abortions on good Christian women because I hate babies. But that is just a typical Saturday for me.
That's the spirit!
You know I will be wearing an Uncle Sam costume while I do it and saying "Biden sends his regards!" because that is what real liberals do
It is? The first part or the 2nd half?
Fuck off, the American flag is fine. [deleted]
Perrie, come on.... What's next, I won't even be able to [deleted]
Why would you want to do that to us here?
To make you happy.
I know exactly what the problem is. Flag wavers like the seeder and the author of this article CONSTANTLY evoke the founding fathers of America, constantly. I suppose we see the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution evoked in this little corner of Newstalkers about a dozen times a week.
It is not possible though, to invoke the goodness of the birth of America without provoking the contradictory truth - that America was birthed without a single regard for the rights of non white people or women. Even if we accept that times were different back then, this is 2021 and we now know better.
Stop invoking the wisdom of "dead white men" as a standard all should uniformly aspire to, and I bet you people would stop "disrespecting" the American flag.
The racist and sexist past of America , and other countries frankly, cannot be papered over with patriotic platitudes in 2021. It doesnt mean we dont have a great country, but let's have an honest one.
No one said not to continue the quest to form a more perfect Union. That’s what the founders wanted us to do. We did it and we honor them for what they bequeathed to us.
When I was a kid, I was taught that defacing the flag is disrespect to the nation.
Is this inspiring, or disgusting?
It is neither, it is just flat out pathetic. The only thing I think when I see that is "wow, somebody really needs help."
It makes sense, many of the same people who worship the flag like a religion worship Trump like a religion. This way they can save time and worship both at once.
Now there's a flag that needs to be... um... de-faced.
Most inspiring! Love it!
[deleted]
The object of adoration is...??
Sure.
Boozhoo awiya Gichi-mookomaanaki, (Greeting people of the United States) zaagenim dibenindizowin (cherish your freedom)
From Americas First People.
Eh, was gonna say something but no point to that fight today
True patriots!
Eh. Depends.
Do you want to explain that Thawn?
Not here, not today.
But fuck it, here we go!
Okay, so Natives were definitely shit on, many times, and by the same people (colonial powers and US government). But as a historian I have an issue with calling the land "stolen" or even the idea of "first people."
It wasn't "stolen" really, it was conquered. And there is a line from a movie I like to sum this up, "you got fucked cookie, happens to the best of us." Was it right, no, of course not. But it happened and we are living in that world, so trying to pretend that historical conquest was not what was happening is foolish or that what hapened to the natives (as far as land goes) was unique is foolish. Now the genocide bit after the conquest, well I am with you there.
If you were a historian you would know that much of it was stolen, you might actually want to review your historical perspective. As SCOTUS would say treaties are the highest law of the land, the 300 plus treaties were ignored or broken by the US government which resulted in huge loss of native land, but being a historian you know this. But in case you don't I'll refer you to just one it's called the Indian or Tribal Termination act of 1953 which resulted in the loss of 2.5 million acres of Indian land. I could go on but you being a historian would know all this. Oh hell I'll throw in another one that you're probably well versed in, the Dawes and Allotment act then there is the Indian Removal Act, None of that had to do with conquest.
Your response to Steevie of ''eh depends'' when the statement was ''true patriots''. You're probably aware or not that Native Americans serve in the military at a higher rate per capita than any other ethnic group.
Again I don't like that word. Mainly because those who accuse other of "stealing" land only gained that land by "stealing" it from someone else. Steal/stolen is not a good word to describe what happened.
Not gonna argue it at all. You got fucked cookie.
Not an expert to be sure, but I know a little bit about of a lot of things. Generally I am a dumbass.
The thing is, it is all a part of conquest. Conquest doesn't ever stop at just the land, the people are part of it. Again, you got fucked cookie, happens to the best of us. Not right, but it is what it is, and the Natives in the Americas did the exact same thing to their neighbors.
I stand by it. Depends on how you look at it.
Of course I am, and they are my brothers and sisters. I still stand by my comments.
You can stand by that one.
Proudly
I like to think I am in good company.
What word would you use for a legal document that is disregarded/broken to take land that was Indian land?
Since the treaties are laws and those treaties were broken/disregarded/avoided that was breaking a law, you seem to be defeating your argument.
You do understand that the treaties were about land, right? Please the old ''they did it'' is a bullshit argument and especially in this case when we are discussing US law and treaties.
How do you look at it?
You're entitled to your opinion even when it's incorrect.
If you choose to be a moosh noosh who am I to argue with you.
A broken treaty. A declaration of War. That is what I would use as far as terminology goes.
Not at all, you got fucked. Again, it wasn't right or fair, but you got fucked hard and deep. Again, I don't think stealing is the correct word.
Yep.
"You got fucked cookie, happens to the best of us."
Indeed.
Socrates and I are in good company I think.
Wow I am an asshole, comparing myself to Socrates.
Kinda, yeah...
But being self-aware is a positive in my mind.
I'll check with Socates on that.
He said your full of shit.
Delusions of grandeur
Come on Thawn, you're a smart guy and that was strike three, you can do better.
I'm not sure you really are...
He is probably right.
(deleted)
Maybe not.
why?
Any reason?
Did you seriously report me?
learned your fuckin lesson lol.
What are you talking about?
I never reported you, what the hell would I report you for, agreeing with me? Don't go off the rails on me.
Trump supporters used the flag to beat cops on Jan. 6th.... Tell me again who is disrespectful to the flag?
Clearly the cops who desecrated the flag by getting hit with it.
Just wow! Since seeding this article this morning I’ve seen so much evidence that the title of the article that I seeded is 100% right and sadly so.
The most despicable lies ever told to me were told to cause divisions, misunderstanding and mistrust.
Lies are not only a sin, they are an insult to those being lied to. Most especially, lies insult God, if you believe in God. Last time I checked, "Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness", was no mere suggestion. Yet, you do so to our faces with impunity while exhibiting a childish delight. And then, have the gall to get puffed up and pissy because we do not like it!
WOW, Indeed...
False Grace is way less than no grace at all. Liars have a special place in everyman's Hell so get ready. It is going to be hot and there is no getting out of it.
Other than that, have a joyful Forth of July. Enjoy the food and the fireworks knowing that Liberals and Democrats are doing the same except with cake.
Got it? Liberal Democrats get cake and icecream!
There will be none for you until you straighten up...
I make my own homemade icecream (Lemon Vanilla) and I baked a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. As President of the American Hedonist Society it is my duty to overindulge. Would you like a corndog?
Is that a fish flopping out of water?
[Deleted]
The article you seeded is totally one-sided, how could you expect something different?
You mean it was pro American?
A lot of the markers at Arlington National Cemetery are not adorned with crosses. Many are adorned the Star of David or a Muslim Crescent. A growing number indicate no faith. Every one of them represents an American who sacrificed for our freedoms, including the freedom to do and say and act in ways which others find offensive.
The flag only stands for freedom. Real freedom is way more complicated than always getting you own way.
The part in bold has been shown today to be sadly all to true.
The bottom line here…