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May 23, 2003 I'm not into politics. I try and keep up but I don't really like reading about political issues or watching T.V. shows that discuss them. For awhile my daughter and I watched O'Reilly because it put her to sleep but she got over that so we just turn him off and watch the Wiggles. I don't really talk politics that well either but since the thing for any writer here lately is to give some sort of opinion on the Bush administration and the War on Terror, 9/11, Iraq etc, I thought that I would give my two cents and get it over with. I consider myself conservative, I took an online test to rate your political views and was told that I am on the right side of moderate whatever that means, and I'm a Republican so there's no shock that I voted for Bush and I've never regretted that decision. I think that he's handled 9/11, Afghanistan and Iraq splendidly. I shudder to think what would have happened if Al Gore would have been president through the last three years. He would still be under the bed screaming for Tipper and having his secretary send Al Qaeda letters of apology for offending their delicate sensibilities. I do think that things have gotten a little crazy since the first rumblings of war could be heard coming out of Washington. There have been a lot people who have been chastised, boycotted, even threatened for simply giving their opinion. Natalie Maines, the Dixie Chick who made disparaging remarks about Bush in England a couple of months ago said on Barbara Walters that she, her band mates and their families have received death threats as a result of saying that they "were ashamed that George Bush was from Texas." This goes way beyond extreme, it's down right crazy. I don't agree with what Ms. Maines said and thought that it was downright disrespectful, but the right to express you own political views is the backbone of a democratic society and if we start threatening people, or worse, just because they don't agree with us or don't support the status quo we grow more like the Taliban and the Hussein regime rather than the other way around. Where I have a problem with these Hollywood halfwits popping off is when they start to claim that they are ashamed of the U.S. or embarrassed to be American. Edward Norton, seen presently in the movie Red Dragon, stated that it was "nice being in Europe. Almost everyone in Germany and France is in sync with the governments. I almost forgot what it's like to be proud of my government." Director Robert Altman (M.A.S.H. and Gosford Park) said: When I see an American flag flying, it's a joke" and the scream queen of the Hollywood peace movement, Janeane Garafalo said that when she sees the flag that she thinks: "Oh my God youre insulting me. But a gay naked man or woman burning the flag." Garafolo beams. "I get choked up with pride." When I hear such statements I have to wonder why these people are still living here. If America is such a bad place, then leave. I'm not saying that you shouldn't criticize America, again that type of expression is why the country was founded in the first place, but if there's something that I loath in my life I get rid of it if at all possible. The last I heard there was no mass exodus leaving the country, in fact it's exactly the opposite. I know that people such as Norton, Altman and Ms. Garafolo who see being America as being a bad thing have heard statements such as get out and leave if you dont like it and me saying the same thing wont make any difference so I thought that I would go one better and actually scope out some other countries and list the advantages and disadvantages of moving there. Mr. Altman said that he would move to Paris if George Bush won the presidency and then after he did just that he said that it wasnt Paris, France but Paris, Texas because at least Bush would be out of the state. Itd obvious that Mr. Altmans a bit confused and I bet there are several more of his ilk who are in the same boat so here is a list of possible choices should they decide to find some new digs. England- England is a great country and probably the closest allies that we have right now. Plus they have good entertainment (movie, television, music etc) and theres a great deal of culture and history over there that I would definitely like to see sometime in my lifetime. Two things that I would list on the con side of the list is I dont wont to live anywhere that has socialized medicine. If you think that getting a doctors appointment is hard here try wading through a few tons of government red tape. I heard an English comedian say that the reason so many English people have bad teeth is that is so hard over there to get permission to get any dental service other than cleaning. If anybody out there knows this for sure let me know. Also its easy enough for terrorists to get into the U.S. so I want a body of water a lot wider than the English channel between me and them. Australia- This looks like another good place. Everybody seems so friendly and hey I love Outback, but it looks hot and there are too many snakes for me. Shoot the Crocodile Hunter cant go three feet without spotting one. Canada- Its real cold and they dont seem to like us that much. Besides your so close you might as well stay here. France-A lot of culture, a lot of art, but the next time an invading army comes through youll have to learn a whole other language after taking the time to learn French. Japan- That bad thing is that every time a monster comes down from outer space they make a bee line for Japan. Think about what the insurance rates must be. Africa- Its supposed to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, but if youre really considering going there I have four words for you: War, Famine Genocide and AIDS. If you go there anyway find out how you say Djibouti and let me know. India- If you think cities here are crowded here you havent seen anything and if you dont like cows your S.O.L. The Middle East and China: Yeah right. I know that there are a lot of places that I could have included and maybe sometimes Ill do a more complete list but I think Ive made my point. If you live in the U.S. and admittedly we have our problems, youre living in the greatest place to live in the history of man. We have a quality of life unheard of in other parts of the world and if youre like me and are healthy, have a nice warm house to go to every night and dont know what real hunger is then you are a definite world wide minority. Yeah I see a lot of things wrong in this country and Im quick to complain but Ill never say that Im embarrassed or ashamed to be American. I love being American and Ill never live anywhere else. In the words of Johnny Cash: On second thought I do like to brag. Im might proud of my ragged old flag. ------------ Email Jonathan Farlow: jonathan-farlow@excite.com Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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