Reality Pause

Seven years ago today the twin towers were brought down in an act of aggression. Seven years ago this nation lost many good and courageous men and women. Seven years ago, we as a people lost the greatness that this nation once stood for. The terrorists won in a very real sense.

We now have a big government tracking its citizens. We now live in a world where honest citizens are searched simply because their name matches or closely resembles the name of a suspected terrorist. We have lost the freedoms that our ancestors fought and died for. Our government is telling our heroes that everything they believed in was worthless.

The biggest calamity that we have suffered is the single greatest thing that this nation was built upon. Our nation was fathered and mothered by people from all nations. Immigrants from around the world learning to live with one another. Instead of accepting these people, our government is rounding them up, and kicking them out. Our government is tearing families apart, and we as a people are letting them do so. Shame on us for letting it happen.

Our nation was founded on some very simple truths. The greatest of these is “In God WE trust.” Yes, we believe in equality. Yes, we believe in tolerance. But there is no place for religious intolerance, and no place for atheism in our government. Catholics, Baptists, Mormons, Lutherans, Muslims and every other religion should be able to peacefully pray with one another. All of these beliefs teach tolerance and love for our fellow man. Why do we not follow these beliefs?

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch whose flame

Is imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep ancient lands your storied pomp!” cries she with silent lips.

“Give me your tired your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Emma Lazarus (1849-1887)