Lee Greenwood, yeah I met him when I was Stage Manager for the State of Texas’s “Salute to the Troopsâ€? after the FIRST Gulf War.  (Desert Storm…remember that one.) Gorgeous day, Greenwood sang, Governor Ann Richards welcomed the troops, Texas Confederate Air Force flew biplanes overhead. (They were going to drop rose petals but the FAA stopped them because they were afraid they would not float down, but, instead, fall out in clumps and kill spectators.)

Yes, it sure was a celebration, a grand old time was had by all, except for the Guests of Honor.  That would be the parents, spouses, and children of the slain soldiers.  They sat silently by, glistening eyes, watching in stunned silence while the rest of the world got on with business as usual.

When I hear that song I certainly think of the US soldiers who are currently dying, but I also think of all those who came before who were willing to give their lives to establish a free nation.  I heard quite a number of voters on Tuesday mention how awful they thought it was that some of their friends and neighbors had no interest in voting.  That too, I suppose, is a choice we have the freedom to make.

Lee Greenwood is the standard eh?  Twangy simplistic lyrics about freedom, with over produced, heavily orchestrated chord changes and modulations is our stamp of “good” huh? 

Geez folks...can we get beyond singing trite songs and waving the flag around?  Our country has major problems right now and stating that “freedom” is the virtue which sets us apart is nothing but sugar coated drivel. 

As an out and proud gay man it is truly offensive to me that “at least we have our freedom” is as good as it gets for us as a collective anthem.  I’m not free.  I can’t marry who I want to marry.  I am taxed completely different from my heterosexual counterparts.  Yes, I hear all of you loyalists out there screaming loud and clear.."If things are so bad here, then why don’t you leave?” Believe me, this notion is clearly on the forefront of my thought.  I have a handful of friends that have already. 

So at least I know I’m free?  Hardly.

I loved this post Trina!  Thanks for crystallizing the honor of voting in a democracy. This is something different than the obligation or duty sometimes referred to in convincing those who don’t want to exercise their votes.  This is a joyful occasion, and something empowering for those who embrace it.  Thank you so much for writing about your happy experience at the polls!

I was thinking of that song while at the California Coastal Commission meeting… after 12 hours of standing on my feet with my hands over my head.. holding up a sign..

I had just ceeded my time rather than speak so others that felt thier issues hadn’t been raised could speak.. turns out most of those that didn’t ceede their time were pro-toll Troll.. er.. road.. despite that most of the 12-hours was fillibustered with pro-troll speakers.. despite that over 2000 against souls had showed..

Anyway.. I’m there.. in the bleaches with my sign wondering if I really should have spoken rather than just walk by with my sign when 9pm hit..

9pm was the cut-off for public speaking.. there were 4 people left in line.. each waiting the 2-minutes allotted them.. but.. 9pm is 9pm.. so they weren’t allowed to speak..

next in line was a man in a Marine bombers jacket.. long, pepper-colored hair in a pony tail.. He didn’t like being told he couldn’t speak.. he’d been here 12-hours like the rest.. He obeyed.. grudingly going back to his seat.. I could see him contemplating making a huge scene.

Then a few minutes later he stood.. leaned on his cane.. paused.. then started to leave.. I could tell he was still pretty upset..

I walked down from the bleachers and put my hand on his shoulder as the meeting continued.. I didn’t know what to say.. I guess I didn’t know what he’d do, either.. I mean.. a long-haired, angry, ex-marine??

He was the gentlest soul.. he just needed someone to know that he cared.. He needed his voice heard.. His perspective was just a bit different than any other.. as was mine.. I too had wanted to speak.. but by ceeding my time at least I felt I _did_ something.. He didn’t even get that..

He just wanted to say that he had served in Vietnam.. he’d done his duty to the country.. that he wanted the commission to do their duty..

Turns out that commission did their duty.. but being snubbed after 12-hours is rough.. the commission did a gread job running the meeting.. and sure.. I suppose someone had to be the first one not allowed to speak.. but it sure must have been tough for him!

He and I became quick friends.. we are all humans.. we just want to matter. We just want to count..

Thanks you Trina for allowing those in your precinct to matter.. to count.. Thanks for all that time you spent.. may it pay you back ten-fold.

Dave

I hear you, Randy.  Just because you can’t marry whom you want to right now doesn’t mean you never will be able to.  At least in this country you stand a fighting chance to make your case and be heard.  That’s my reason to wave the flag.  We’re free to speak our mind, to raise objections, to fight for what we believe in, to be heard. 

I figured I’d get lambasted for writing such overly sentimental drivel.  So be it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RssIN3ustUw
Gotta love the song and the sentiment… Rock on, Trina.

Hooray for sentimental patriotism. Our country needs much more of that instead of sharp criticism and apathy towards all the blessings we have here in this country that so many thousand of people across the world never have. Thanks for the reminder.

TRINA:

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU AND TRACEY.. IT’S NICE TO BE AROUND A HAPPY, SENTIMENTAL, AND OPTIMISTIC CITIZEN.  SOMEONE WITH THE THE TENDENCY TO MAKE THE MOST HOPEFUL VIEW OF MATTERS.  IT’S CONTAGIOUS AND I FELT “PUMPED UP” AFTER READING YOUR COMMENTS!  THANKS.  YOU “GO GIRL,” GO!

How fortunate that you were born a heterosexual white individual. Had you been born any other way, you would have had a completely different experience of “American freedom�. I see that you have four sons, how many are you willing to spare in the name of freedom? Or is that just for other mother’s sons? Trina, I noticed that mentioned Abdul’s clothing; tell me were you expecting a turban? I am curious, what were you and the other poll workers wearing?

By the way, Darla: Are you pumped on the carnage in Iraq?

Hi Ariana.  Of course there are problems with America.  I never denied that.  I simply wanted to celebrate for a short moment the liberties that we do enjoy in this country.  I guess that short moment is over now, eh?

Have you ever lived abroad?  I have.  There are many countries where you would not have the freedom to live certain lifestyles, nor complain about the government.  Would you rather live there?

My oldest son is active in the ROTC while in college.  He loves this country, despite its many faults, and would gladly give his life for the cause of freedom.  Other mothers sacrificed their sons for what they believed would benefit this nation.  Why should I be less willing?  My blog was to honor those who died in creating this great nation...not a statement on the war in Iraq.  No one is “pumped about the carnage in Iraq.” That’s ridiculous and even insensitive. 

Your question about Abdul’s clothing assumes a certain bias or ignorance.  Of course I wasn’t expecting a turban.  Why would you think that?  My point was simply that he was so grateful to live in this country and wanted to demonstrate the respect he felt for the voting process and his role as our poll-worker director that day that he dressed up.  In our training we were told to dress in “nice casual.” His more formal attire indicated a sense of reverence for the day that impressed me.

Ariana, do you see anything good in America?  Anything worth showing respect for?  Anything worth defending?  Anything worth celebrating?

Wow, Trina.  You sure are taking a lot of heat just for trying to spread some patriotic cheer on Super Tuesday.  Don’t let these whiners ruin your day.  They completely missed your point.  If they really are as hostile towards this country then why don’t they move?  I’m guessing Ariana didn’t even think to thank the poll workers who volunteered 16 hours of their day to help their fellow americans vote.  There are many people in this world who would gladly stand in line for 16 hours for the privilege of voting.

Dear Trina,

I see plenty that is good in United States of America. I was raised in a country that respected the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States and I remain hopeful that these values will one day be restored. 

As far as the clothing of the poll workers, I found your description of Abdul’s clothing patronizing; since you singled him out.

I respect and grieve for those who have fought and fallen in pervious wars, and don’t believe that that they would have supported an occupation of Iraq based on the lies that have lead to this war. I doubt highly that if any fallen soldier could speak, that they would support sending the young men and women of this county into battle.

“Other mothers sacrificed their sons for what they believed would benefit this nation.� Really? I find that incredibly hard to believe, given that I would sacrifice myself before I would sacrifice a child.

I celebrate the hope for return to reason.

I defend my right to speak up when the country that I stand to inherit has lost sight of its essential values.

Trina while writing this response, I thought of a song you would probably like, here it is. Enjoy!

Angry American (Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue)

American Girls and American Guys
We’ll always stand up and salute
We’ll always recognize
When we see Ole Glory Flying
There’s a lot of men dead
So we can sleep in peace at night
When we lay down our head

My daddy served in the army
Where he lost his right eye
But he flew a flag out in our yard
Till the day that he died
He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me
To grow up and live happy
In the land of the free.

Now this nation that I love
Has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flying in
From somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see clearly
Through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world
Like the 4th of July

Hey Uncle Sam
Put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty
Started shaking her fist
And the eagle will fly
And there’s gonna be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom
Start ringing her bell
And itll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Ahhh Brought to you Courtesy of the Red White and Blue

Ohhh Justice will be served
And the battle will rage
This big dog will fight
When you rattle his cage
And you’ll be sorry that you messed with
The U.S. of A.
‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass
It’s the American way

Hey Uncle Sam
Put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty
Started shaking her fist
And the eagle will fly
And there’s gonna be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom
Start ringing her bell
And itll feel like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Brought to you Courtesy of the Red White and Blue

Uhhh Ohhh
Of the Red, White and Blue
Ohhh Ohh Oh
Of My Red, White and Blue

Funny, the song that most often comes to my mind these days is Rufus Wainwright’s “Going To A Town.” Don’t get me wrong: I’m glad we have the freedom we have here in the good ‘ole U.S. of A. It ensures that independent artists like Wainwright can create meaningful and devastating lyrics for his comparatively small audience while it also ensures that hacks like Greenwood can score a major recording deal with a third grade poem and be widely revered. God bless America, indeed.

* Japanese Americans living here in the USA during WWII....

* African American Men and the Tuskegee project....

* The railroads built on the backs of Chinese laborers....

* States in the US that still have the rebel flag as part of their banners…

The song is still drivel.