Hello Brandy,
I guess when you got my email with my little get out the vote speech you must have hit “reply to all” instead of “reply” because all the recipients of the “enfranchise yourself” email got a copy of the reply you sent to me. Which is okay. You did stir up Gerald Johns, though, who is a customer of ours (www.awhitetexaspelican.com) and attends the Nassau Bay Baptist church. He is pretty much a dedicated religious right republican. It is probably a healthy thing to get his dander up once in a while. What is amazing is the religious right always responds with a, “why don’t you leave the country?” whenever someone disagrees with their religious right agenda. I did read your response to him which I thought was very well put. Truly nothing is more un-American than to disparage those citizens who feel our government is off track.
Like you I have never been big on the pledge of allegiance which I always felt was like a brainwashing indoctrination tool used by totalitarian regimes to institute some kind of mind control as a way to prevent people from thinking on their own. When I was in elementary school the “under god” phrase wasn’t part of the pledge. Actually, we did have to recite the Lord’s Prayer pretty regularly back in the 50’s but I found that less objectionable than reciting the pledge. It was more like a little mantra where you forgave yourself and everybody else for being the assholes that we are and then you could move on, start each day fresh and try to be a little bit less of an asshole.
I have also been pretty shy of flag waving and singing the national anthem at all the sports events, and other public gatherings which to me seemed like more brainwashing. This type of jingoistic indoctrination that permeates our culture is certainly a departure from the ideals of the free-thinking free-spirited nation we aspire to be. Defending and worshiping a silly flag is a little too much like idolatry. As an American patriot, pacifist, and warrior who absolutely and irrevocably loves this experimental melting pot as founded by our illustrious forefathers I take offence at these intolerant bullies who try to stifle dissention by questioning our loyalty and sincere concern for the good and future of this nation.
What we really fight to defend is not some symbolic flag, or distorted religious ideology but the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, The Bill of Rights and the ideals expressed in The Declaration of Independence. Unfortunately these most important cornerstones which represent the very foundation of our nation are being severely compromised not by foreign terrorists or communists but by homegrown extremists within the government and by those officials who have sworn to uphold and defend these institutions.
Actually Gerald Johns is a pretty good fellow, just doing the best that he can and in spite of his confused blend of state sponsored war mongering Christianity and xenophobic cultural shortcomings I would stand next to him in a foxhole, watch his back, and lay down my life to defend his extreme views and idolatry were it ever needed.
C-ya,
Glen
From: Shelly
Shock [mailto:shelly@shellyshock.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 10:52 PM
To: 'Gerald Johns'
Cc: Glen@webfaxcom.com
Subject: RE: Enfranchise Yourself.doc
I’m very sorry for you misfortune, but I never insulted the patriotism of our young American men. I nearly suffered a loss myself in my own family. I just wanted to remind you though, that ironically what you have just written is very “ anti-american” because it berates freedom of speech.
If I am not allowed to voice my opinion or root for other countries to reap awards from a trivial sporting event. (remember the it’s the Olympics, not WW3) then I don’t have freedom of speech. If Americanism is what you hold so dearly in your heart then you need to learn to respect other peoples opionions… that’s the idea, by the email you sent I see that you’re the one that is “anti-American.”
And on another note, Liberalism is a political party, I’m very proud of you for have chosen your candidate and everything but if not for liberals the conservatist party would have no challenge or contestant, therefore, the system of checks and balances in America would abolished. So If I were you, I would think before I speak, because if conservatists ruled the nation all the time, we would literally “be in world of shit.” I’m not trying to be rude, I respect your patriotism for your country, but please if you wanna be patriotic, uphold the Bill of Rights, which means: respecting others’ thoughts, freedom of speech, religion and so-forth. Perhaps if people like you would learn to educate themselves on the fundamentals of American government you would not be so quick to judge. Besides I was just making a point that people should get out and vote.
*** I’m glad to see you’ll be at the ballots supporting the very war that nearly killed your son.***
“quid pro quo,”
Shelly Shock
-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald Johns [mailto:johns@awhitetexaspelican.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 2004 10:35 AM
To: Shelly Shock
Subject: Re: Enfranchise Yourself.doc
I don't know who you are but I know what you are.Remove me from your liberal anti American thoughts.Maybe you should consider moving to one of those countries you "Love". My son nearly died defending your freedom from dictatorship that apparently you love so much.
Gerald-American, and Proud of our Christian leadership in our President--Goooooooooooo George Bush
----- Original Message -----
From: Shelly Shock
To: 'Glen' et all
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 12:16 PM
Subject: RE: Enfranchise Yourself.doc
Glen,
Long time, No See… As you probably have ascertained, I don’t stand for the “Pledge of Allegiance,” I flat out refuse to sing or even hum along to the National Anthem, and during the 04 Olympics I was the only one on the block flying an American Flag upside down – accidentally on purpose to “support Team USA.” Meanwhile, I cheered on France, Germany and Trinidad & Tobago in the medals race. But so help me god, I have voted every election year since my 18th birthday. People in the 20000 election told me my vote did not amount to squat or did not count because I refused to vote for the popular consensus’ candidates. I quipped back “It may not be a deciding vote for your candidate, but it WAS one less vote for corruptness.” On that note, I just wanted to add: A lot of young people these days feel like if they vote it doesn’t count, or if they vote for the candidate that’s not the people will not like them…or they will somehow be doing their country a disservice. I’m here to say that freedom of thought doesn’t have to be in the bill of rights and if you think what a country leader is doing is wrong…don’t vote for them, but your vote does count so… at the very least, VOTE AGAINST THEM!
-----Original Message-----
From: Glen [mailto:glen@webfaxcom.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 11:40 PM
To: et al
Subject: Enfranchise Yourself.doc
This is my little get out the vote speech. Although I have been telling it to everyone for the last year-and-a-half I have gotten little reaction. I think it might be easier to get an atheist to attend a Pentecostal revival meeting than to get a young adult to the ballot box. I don't know that our population realizes that several thousand poor and struggling voters have more political clout than several dozen wealthy lobbyists. The biggest and most important special interest group is the hardcore voting electorate, the ones who can be counted on to show up for every election.