I’ve said for a long time that the difference between Republicans and Democrats is, today, a matter of degrees not philosophical differences. Below you will find an updated column that I wrote August 19, 2007. It was originally entitled “What Old Glory Means To Illegals.” After reading it you may look for reasons to disagree, but keep in mind that your disagreeing with me doesn’t make me wrong.
June 14th was the day historically recognized as “Flag Day.” The day was first celebrated in 1885, officially established by proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson May 30, 1916, and signed by President Truman as an act of Congress so designating same Aug. 3, 1949.
Growing up and in my mind, so still even today, the flag of the United States was/is an indelible representation of opportunity and freedom available to all in this great nation.
As Beverly Hernandez writes, “National flags are not merely symbols of a country. Their colors and designs convey past history and future goals. Flags have powerful connotations. … In every country of the world, the treatment of [its] flag displays an opinion or statement.” (“Celebrate Flag Day – The History of Flag Day”; About.com; Homeschooling)
Which brings me to my point – no other flag embodies a more complex history or vestige of principles than does America’s. It is a symbol of not only freedom and opportunity, but one of welcome.
It is this responsibility that Obama and President Bush, conjunctive with no few members of Congress, deface in their attempt to bestow upon illegal criminals the rights and privileges for which courageous and heroic Americans risked all and shed blood, so this nation could be a symbol unlike any other in the civilized world.
Borrowing from Michelle Malkin’s June 13, 2007 column, the flag is not honored, nor are those who defended same, when “immigration lawyers and ethnic activists run a massive, lucrative industry whose sole objective is to help illegal aliens and convicted criminal visa holders evade deportation for as long as possible. Entry into [our] country [is] a privilege, not a right.”
The flag flies as a symbol of welcome to all who would seek entry legally, desiring to embrace the culture it represents. The flag honors the Declaration of Independence in that “All men are created equal.” Nowhere is it written or intimated that “all illegals are created with more rights than the citizens of our country.”
The flag flew proudly, its “Stars and Stripes” gleaming at the end of slavery, when women were given full rights commensurate with men, at the revocation of Jim Crow, and as brave men and women returned home from defending her. It is not a representative welcome to those who come here not to assimilate, but rather, to undermine and subvert.
Then President Bush and Congress–and presently Obama and Congress–do not honor the flag they salute, nor those who died in its defense, when they circumvent immigration laws through special legislation, introducing bills that would grant special private relief to individual immigrants fighting deportation – in many instances for illegals that have compounded their criminal actions with murder, rape and other criminal atrocities.
Obama and then President Bush do not and did not honor our flag, or those who defended/defend it in his convoluted and misguided push to have Congress ratify the United Nations’ Law of the Sea Treaty. Said treaty is designed to transfer wealth and technology from the industrialized states to the Third World. Ronald Reagan refused to participate in a treaty that would create a new ocean bureaucracy that would ultimately cost taxpayers (vis-a`-vis government expenditures) dearly
Public schools no more honor the flag than they do the Constitution when they teach that it is a form of freedom of speech to desecrate the flag – nor does a Congress that refuses to protect Old Glory. It is one thing for Congress to hide behind high and lofty magnanimous verbiage pursuant to how the Constitution allows for such behavior, but it is another to we who view such behavior as spitting on the graves of those buried in Arlington National Cemetery and in the faces of our ancestors. How does the freedom to burn our flag translate into respect for what it stands for? How should we feel when the president and members of Congress malign those of us who take exception with illegals who fly our flag upside down, cast it under foot and burn it?
The flag flies over a nation that speaks English. English is not the principle language – it must be the official language.
Many of us grew up in a day and time in which the flag was honored and revered. Many children today grow up with no clear understanding of that which the flag truly represents. They know more about “American Idol” and MTV than they do the meaning of the Stars and Stripes of our flag.
With so little understanding – and a Congress and president doing all they can to diminish same – is it any wonder young people today have little or no respect for what America represents? Is it any wonder illegals have no qualms about desecrating one of our most treasured symbols? Is it a flag representing the sovereignty of the United States, or a signal to “cross the border now – while no one is looking”?
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Every president has a different view and take on many issues – illegal immigration is just among them. Thanks for posting this up – the two recent presidents do have different prespective on the subject during their terms.
anthony bellasario: no they didn’t…bush was as much pro amnesty as obama…
While I totally agree that the ones who would disrespect our flag and thereby our nation are the dregs of our society, I must also say that it is there right to do so, if they are LEGAL citizens. That is included in our rights as they pertain to free speech, however it does not release anyone from the consequences of their actions. My suggestion would be to treat such people with the disdain and disrespect that they deserve. Sumich’s post is a good description of what should happen to ALL who disrespect our country. To address the illegals that come here and defy or even try to subvert our culture, root them out and deport them upon discovery, simple as that. Before anyone rates me on this post poorly know that I am a proud veteran and patriot that would protect all of our God given rights, not just the ones that cannot anger me at times.
johnny smith: while I disagree with the act of violating our flag under any circumstances I would defend legal citizens ability to do so…I am reluctant to call it a right…but I think illegals should be fire hosed w/ pepper spray on the spot for desecrating our flag…
The first time I heard Obama speak, I was impressed. He seemed like a sincere American political candidate and an all-around good guy. I liked him. I was like the shallow thinkers who are still following him today, however, that didn’t last long for me. When asked why he didn’t wear an American flag on his label, he said something that summed him up and forewarned me of how wrong American voters would be to ever elect him as POTUS.
He said he didn’t wear an American flag pin because he “didn’t want to take sides.” That one answer sums up his opinion of the country he claims as his birthplace.
Shallow thinking liberals never pay attention to things like that statement and they never go beyond the grand promises he makes. Why don’t they see what we see? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this guy out. I am completely shocked that some fellow Americans can be so ignorant and uninformed after all we’ve seen and heard from this celebrity want-to-be.
Fool us once, shame on him. Fool us twice, shame on us!
fredbt: thk you for sharing same…I’m not impressed by an elapid flicking it’s tongue…
Perhaps Americans have been asleep too many years while our “representatives” have been busy destroying The American Dream. Schools have not taught the real meaning of the American Flag. Parents have not taught their children anything about American history and the American Flag because they were busy planning vacations and picnics… When the American Flag is disrespectfully destroyed, some Americans become upset while others comment that it’s only a flag. Watch people at ballgames and other social/sports events and look around to how many actually respect the American Flag when it is hoisted. Amazing. I can pick out American Military and their families in the groups because they stand at attention with right hand on heart and repeat The Pledge. Others look into the sky or talk with each other and have no clue what is happening. There was a time that on Military Posts or Bases, if I were driving and the base whistle blew at a certain time of the day, it meant to pull over to side of the road, get out of the car, and stand erect and place your hand over your heart. That meant the American Flag was either being hoisted or brought down for the end of day (no night light on the flag areas). As Michelle supposedly said when the American Flag was displayed at an event, “All of this for some damn flag?” Obama shook his head, ‘yes.’ Mychal, you are spot on about what the American Flag signifies and good, well educated Americans know how to respect the symbol of love for a free America and all the toil that has gone into making and preserving our Freedoms/Liberty. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…one Nation under God…” I wish I could show Obama holding his crotch while the The Pledge to the American Flag was being conducted. I don’t believe that clip was photoshopped.
marilyn: people are content to go to work come home and watch american idol…but don’t have time or interest in what is happening politically…
HankyPanky I agree with you. The illegals are coming here for the mmoney they can make and send home. They have no loyalty to this country to the point that many make no effort to even learn to speak pidgen english. It’s pathetic that we have the tool to verify citizenship, E Verify, and it’s not being used. It should be mandated by Congress for all employers.
If an employer is found to have hired illegal aliens and has not tried to verify their status, they should get fined. Fined with big money, not the penny ante $500, but a neck snaping $50,000. The second time, welcome to our prison. Buba will be your bunk mate. The illegal alien should be fined for all the money he/she has and deported immediately. Second time, prison on a work farm, Not one of these country clubs with air conditioning, flat screen TVs, play times and cell phones. Get rid of the gyms. Limited the time they can be out of their cells. Put Sherif Joe in charge of the operation.
sumitch: agreed…
Mychal; The problem isn’t just with the illegals. It’s also with the people who want to line their pockets at the expense of legal citizens. They need to punish the people who hire the illegals knowing they are illegal and not finding out for sure if they are. There are also the money hungry pimps who gather them up and take them to jobs. The greedy people who transport them into this country.
It’s with the legals who harbor them and show them how to get all the entitlements they can. With the landlords who rent to them. The politicians who give them rights in the first place. With the DOJ that isn’t sending them back to where they came from. I don’t know about other states,but here in AZ. you could walk across the state on the backs of illegals, there are so many of them. They are a glut on this nation. They are not all just Mexicans, but Muslims as well.
hankypanky: I agree w/ you…
Wait up Gunny! I gotta get my hat and go with you.
More or less in concert with today’s rant, if I was a democrat I’d be a little nervous come election day. After all, they were the one to put this traitor in the spotlight. They are the party that rammed ObamaCare down our throats with the world famous “You’ve got to approve it before you can find out what’s in it” crap coming out of Pelosi’s’ mouth. They are the party that let him install Czars to have authority over the congress. At the same time he is the man that gets all hot under the collar when he calls the Supreme Court “non elected officials”.
“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country”. President John F. Kennedy
He has to go this election. It’s the patriotic thing to do.
sumitch: I continue to argue it is important to throw out feckless repub traitors and rpelace them w/ solid conservative patriots who will serve constitutionally…
In a small town in north Texas (Gainesville) a Mexican/Hispanic/Spanish/Latino decided he had the right to fly the Mexican flag over the Flag of the United States on a flag pole in his front yard. He was asked to remove this “in your face” display of anti-Americanism which he refused claiming that “This is my house and I have the right to do what I want with it”.
Wrong Jose. Not in Texas redneck central.
Maybe in a sanctuary city like Houston you can get away with that, but not in a town that proudly has an obelisk on the court house grounds with the names of all those that have given their lives for this country and therefore our flag.
A crowd of “good ole boys” in dirty pickups started gathering and the tensions were growing more hostile by the minute. It doesn’t take long for news to spread in a town of maybe 18,000. It wasn’t long before a parade of town sheriffs and county Mounties showed up to quiet things down. The Texas Rangers didn’t show up for which Jose should be thankful. These boys are educated, trained constantly, educated, take no mouth proud citizens of Texas and patriots of our country.
The good ole boys were pushed back and one of the sheriffs took the flag down. The crowd of sightseers that had gathered to watch the show applauded when the flag was removed and Old Glory hoisted back up. No disrespect for the Mexican flag was shown in any way. All the time this Hispanic was screaming and calling them names (sometimes in English). Again, the wrong thing to do.
He was given an all expense paid stay in our brand new “Justice Center” which houses the jail. I personally don’t know what happened to this guy, but he was gone within a week of getting out of the calaboose. Maybe he didn’t want to live where people were so narrow minded. Maybe someone ran a check to verify his right to be here at all (that’s not profiling, that’s using statistical history). Maybe he started getting phone calls and letters about something. I dunno.
The local Mexican community started raising hell about it, gathering, parading and driving around shouting out of their “rides”. That pretty much stopped after the weekend was over. I’m not saying that everyone was a model citizen with no rap sheet and a member of the local Baptist church. I am saying that it makes no difference if you are Asian, Hispanic, European or whatever. No one is going to get away with disrespect to our flag. Don’t like it? There’s a bus headed south every day except Sunday. We’d be happy to loan you the money to take it. Don’t mess with Texas. This tale is mostly exactly what happened. But I am in Texas where the stories get better with the telling.
Gawd bless Texas
sumitch: love it…would liked to have seen it first hand…
When our founders were repeatedly castigated for their appeals to the parliament, for the defense of their rights as Englishmen, when they petitioned the King for the rights of man through the Magna Carta, it took thirty years to realize there was no intent in those in government for relief or respect.
We have worked that long and many have been much longer, decrying our government’s lack of respect for the limitations placed on it by law, and the disrespect we get routinely from our elected officials. There has never been a more dastardly plot to undermine our legitimacy and our Constitutional form of government, not since our establishing our Republic, upon that constitution.
We must either remove this government by strength of numbers, or by force of arms, I don’t care much which anymore.
The actions of those in the highest offices for three years have been unapologetically Treasonous, those who put him in office, committed felonies to present him as legitimate, and it has been all those sitting in Congress at that time, who have utterly refused, not failed, but refused to even act on what has long been a clear and obvious case, and now is a legal “prima facia case” for falsificaton of federal documents, conspiracy to falsify federal documents, with the deliberate evasion of all responsibility by every level of both state and federal governments, with the singular exception of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of Maricopa County, Arizona.
Treason is actionable when you see it, we have lived with it in our houses of government too long, the tree of liberty is thirsty. Let it drink in deeply.
Semper Fidelis,
John McClain
GySgt, USMC, ret.
Vanceboro, NC
john mcclain: the problem is that people continue to buy the lies of politicians and the self-serving ratings motivated agitprop of certain so-called conservative program hosts who are nothing more than attention grabbing sycophants out to boast their own bank accounts…
@ Edward Conner – I read a post yesterday and I cannot remember where I read it in order to give proper credit. My apologies to the writer … His words went something like this …
We call our political representatives, ‘leaders’. Horses are led, cows are led, dogs are led … Americans are free people and are not led but represented. So represent us or get out!!!
We need to find representatives and put them in office. I can think of a few but none of them are running for presidential office at this time. We need to convince them that America is calling. Then we need to get the apathetic voters out to the voting booth.
jim holmes: we cannot stop people from voting it is the right of legal citizens…we must out number the apathetic…
Thank you Mychal for putting into words the feeling of my heart. My family has served this nation every generation since before the civil war. We have been there when our nation called. To my knowledge, in the Civil War, 13 members of my family served the Union, none served the Confederacy. We have always served.
Now our nation, the greatest nation our world has ever known, is under attack from within. How do we defend her? I am willing to stand in the breach. I am a tea party member since its inception. I am however very sad that there is no clear choice regarding illegal immigration.
If there is a way to fight this fight, I am listening. I am ready do my part for America.
edward conner: the clear choice pursuant to immigration is to allow those who come through the immigration process…illegals do not immigrate they violate and break the law…I say round up them up and ship them out world opinion be damned…
The politicians on both sides of the aisle want illegals in the country…the left for votes, the right for workers… The end result…the taxpayers and legal citizens pay several times to support the end results and pay again for the lousy decisions the elected politicians make… Plus, much of the new electorate votes to increase their newfound benefits…at the expense of those who have worked for years to earn them… Win-win for the illegals and politicians; lose-lose for American citizens and in the increased taxes that they must pay… Only a group with courage can change this…
t.snyder: regardless of the reasons pols on both sides want illegals here…
Fantastic comments. What really troubles me is how these so-called sanctuary cities directly defy Federal laws. Where are the Feds in going after these cities? Why is it okay to go after Arizona but not all of these sanctuary cities that refuse to uphold established Federal immigration law?
curt: good question…why is it that arizona and alabama are pursued by obama holder for upholding the law…
If there were ever a perfect disortation on this subject, this is it. Why can’t the voters decide about the treatment of our sacred flag and what our official language is. This is the USA and nothing else. God bless the USA.
john wright: agreed…and there should be one choice when we call or use a mac machine…english…
Another excellent article. Right on!
ben: thk you my friend…
This is SO timely, since I just read that Focus on the Family has signed a statement, along with many other Christian ‘leaders’, saying we need immigration reform, and that we should make most of the current illegals in our country, legal. From what I have been able to gather, it looks like they are doing this because, as Christians, it is the nice thing to do, and that it isn’t nice to have them here working, and their family members cannot come to be with them. I am not sure why we have laws then. This really saddens me.
Amen Mychal…well said.Illegals now pay much less in tuition in CO than out of state Americans, and have favored status for admissions, among other insults to those who must suffer greatly in our declining economy and nation. Hope things are well with you. BTW you can keep FL with it’s crushing humidity and heat. LOL
jan: hey stop bad mouthing florida…you mountain folk can have your snow and ice…I’ll take my tropical weather…
How can I disagree with what you wrote? Its the plain truth. Illegal immigration was one of the major differences I had with President Bush. How anyone can ignore a country’s sovereignty is beyond me.
Theodore Roosevelt said in 1907, “There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag … We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language … and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
It is illogical that one can misinterpret those words but many do, choosing to sell out America by ignoring the country’s laws in favor of their own belief.
jim holmes: point well made…even though I have issues w/ teddy…