NATIONALISM

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It has been a long day. I posted this to another board I frequently lurk, and have decided out of sheer insomnia to post it to dz.com as well. This was initially directed to a local (Houston) “ punk rock “ music board, thus was originally directed to young people of the Houston music community; however my feelings transcended any community.
So it’s 2am, I have my first test of the semester in the morning,,,,, government. I can’t sleep. I’ve been wearing the same pair of shoes every day for about a year now, and for the first time they don’t feel like they fit right.
Obviously everyone has their own opinions, obviously opinions conflict, obviously today was very messed up. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
My dad called me at about 9:30 am today, he told me “America is under attack” and “if I see anything funny grab my sister and get the fuck out to Katy”. “ What are you talking about dad” as I wipe the sleep out of my eyes.
I turned on the TV just in time to see one of the WTC buildings collapse to the ground. “What the fuck”? I sit down; watch the TV for a few hours. Unbelievable! NO, literally UNBELIEVABLE.
Something changed in me, just slightly. No astronomical revelations, nothing poetic, just a strong feeling of nationalism. I didn’t feel compelled to run out of my apartment and hug every American I came across, not that kind of nationalism. Rather I see something happening in my home, something very scary, and well, what can you say. THIS IS AMERICA. This is where I have the freedom to create my own opinions and not be persecuted for them. This is where I get to create music that speaks out against everything I find fucked up, record that music, publicly display my opinions and not be persecuted for them. This is where I am safe. This is where I was born; this is where I will birth my kids. This does not happen in America.
I’ve been lurking on my message boards all night long. Buzzwords like “nuke em”, “Draft Dodging”, “ a second wrong does not make a right”. I’ve been reading posts alah “fuck the government”, fuck “AMERIKKKA”, “I’m off to Canada”; this and that, “blah blah blah”. And though I do not fully agree with the current state of the American government, what happened today will truly change the way I selfishly live my life. That directly involves me. I am concerned.
There will be no draft. Unlike Viet Nam or even WWII for the matter, this is not someone else’s problem. This is happening in my home and I will bring my own arms and plenty will follow. That sounds staunch, makes me sound macho and somewhat like a killing machine, however this is not the situation. We will be feeling this for a long time, and it has the probability of changing the way we live our lives. I like my life, I like my security, and for the record whatever problems I have with my government I think I like “them” also.
I’ve been lurking around this board for quite some time now and have never felt compelled to post until tonight. My name is Neil; I used to play guitar in a band called Rapport. I am just venting because I can. I like to know that I can vent, I like to know that my religious leanings are my business, and that I have the freedom to practice that religion, as I feel fit. I like to know I can show up 10 minutes late for my flight to Chicago or where ever it is I want to go and arrive safely. This has been a really fucked up day.
I guess I feel lucky to be American, and I will stand up for that.

[bbbilly14 0]

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I guess I feel lucky to be American, and I will stand up for that.

Neil, I am with you. We need to unite as a country right now.
As horrible as today was, I will be surprised if this does not have terrible, long, long term effects. If it is cleared up in a week, I will be overjoyed. But how does something this big get taken care of (not even thinking of those poor families of all who were killed today!) quickly? World War I was started over something much much smaller. I hope to God it doesn't come to that, but if it does...
Love,
Billy
"Light a candle for the sinners---Set the world on fire!"
Marilyn Manson

[freeflir29 0]

"I hope to God it doesn't come to that, but if it does..."
How much more provocation do you need? Do think you can stick your head in the sand and it will go away? Wake up please.
"We must kill them. We must exterminate them. Pig by Pig, Cow by Cow" -Apocolypse Now
Clay

[jtval 0]

when i joined the military i jioned for selfish reasons. i wanted to travel and get $$ for my education. but duing my time in and during my travels i have found,what was already there; a STRONG feeling of patriotism. now, i am NOT gung ho,most of the people who know me wouldnt even know that Im in the mil., but the fact remains, i am and everything Ive done and will do, is done with 100% of my ability. but as I was feeling this patriotism, i felt sorrow. i felt sorry becuase we,america, did not seem to give an ounce of shit for each other.unfortunatley it takes some inconceivable horror to change that,they have awoken the sleeping giant...again!!
i grew up in n.y. and i thank everything holy(including my socks) that my family is generally unaffected by this tragedy. but I am saddend by my extended famliy that i've lost. anyone with american blood is my brother,my sister.
I am enraged that this could and did happen to MY HOME!!!
but neil, i gotta say its people like you that i am talking about.
it is good to read that you have that feeling too. it is good to see that lady liberty is still standing, on ellis island and in our hearts.america is freedom. it is all you want it to be. i play guitar and sing too. I often get disgruntled by the decisions made by others and write about it, but we all know that WE ARE FREE! we are allowed to disagree. and that makes it alright.
i didnt want to go off on a tangent here but i do have to say that if the only thing that comes of this is that america puts its differences aside and can unite as one to win this thing then maybe this is what it takes to make it what america TRULY STANDS FOR.
life is short, live while you can...
Gettin' high is fun, but coming down is the best part!!!
JT