I tried to track down the author of this quote but couldn’t manage to.

Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.

A friend of mine recently forwarded me a link to a brief history lesson that could shed some light on current events.

While I’m not sold on the possibility that Bush and Hitler have much in common, there are some striking similarities.

There have been a lot of forwards going around the Internet with remarks from WWII (aka The Greatest Generation) generation. While I totally agree WWII was an instance of good winning over evil. However, we shouldn’t forget that that same generation gave us Japanese internment camps and the Cold War. They also talk about how their families defended America’s freedom in the face of fascism and that the antiwar protestors should “shut up.” Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but isn’t me speaking against my government (also known as the right to free speech, the right to assemble, and the right to free press) one of those rights your fallen family members fought to defend?

My point is that our differing views, diversity, and ability to speak out are exactly why we have fought so hard in the past to defend our ways. Why can’t those who are for the war see that?

I have a two friends, in particular, who basically said “STFU” about my recent bashings of America. One made the argument I was against giving the Iraqi people the same freedoms I have to which I have a few responses.

If you are so much for these said freedoms, which 38% of Americans favor limiting, then why are you against allowing me my expression of said freedoms? I think America, on paper, is the greatest nation on earth, but in practice sucks.

People often misconstrue my critical stance of the US government as unpatriotic when in fact I’m fulfilling my patriotic duty to do just that. When they ask why I am critical I ask them why they aren’t in the face of such mounting evidence. I say shame on them for not being critical of their government. Our nation was founded by dissenters who were scared to death of government, which is why I’m so worried that the majority of Americans placate to the federal government now.

I’m not against dethroning Saddam. I’ve said it many times before that he’s dangerous and, in the interest of peace in the Middle East, something should be done. But that something should include unilateral support, solid evidence presented to the United Nations (or at least the American people), and a valid declaration of war.

I finally got around to seeing Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine today. I’m speechless. Combine the content of this movie with Against Empire, Shrub: The short, but happy political life of George W. Bush, and Stupid White Men makes for a sobering realization: America really does suck!

Horrific foreign policy that has seen us support murderous dictators such as General Agusto Pinochet and Saddam Hussein. Black Americans earned 61% less than white Americans, which, incidently, is the same earning rate recorded in 1880 (no that’s not a typo). We kill over 10,000 of our neighbors each year with guns, while Japan kills about 60 (remember the Japanese bring us Mortal Combat and the crazy Anime). The richest 1 percent of the country is making 157 percent more than they were in 1979, while those Americans in the bottom 20% are actually making $100 less per year (adjusted for inflation). To top it off we have a President who has threatened to shut down the White House AIDS office, denied college aid to drug offenders (murderers are still eligable), despite being a drug abuser himself, and cut $39 million in aid to libraries.

Yup, it’s a great time to live in America. We’re a bunch of peace loving, caring people aren’t we? If you are as mad as I am please contact your Senator or Representative.

Some one sent me a great link to what the flag stands for. It’s a great cynical critique of America using our, arguably, most cherished symbol.