Original Article © 2002 Lucianne.com Media Inc. LDot Weekend Roundtable Original Article Posted By:LComStaff, 02-09-02 @12:01 AM Rat Boy Walker E mailed his mother, "What has America ever done for anybody?" We'd like to hear some Ldotter answers to that one. Reply 1 - Posted by: 3M_TA3, 2/9/2002 12:02:22 AM This is a non-serious answer, but I vote for Teflon! That thing from the folks at NASA surely has made life pretty darn easy on the pot/pan cleaning front! Tang wasn't that bad either! Reply 2 - Posted by: kel mactell, 2/9/2002 12:06:31 AM it has made me NOT BE a taliban woman!!!! Reply 3 - Posted by: TheMotherCO , 2/9/2002 12:08:10 AM I can't put it into words, but just the thought of America and all it means to me makes me tear up. So many things are good and just about our country and people and having a great President again accentuates the love and appreciation. Reply 4 - Posted by: jb3kids, 2/9/2002 12:09:31 AM 3M, you're a hoot. I'd like to let the condemned man know how much America has kept her people from...as opposed to the various nations in this world. Reply 5 - Posted by: LittleHoodedMonk, 2/9/2002 12:11:33 AM OK, Johnnie, this is how I see your karma at work. First at age sixteen, your father switches sides and becomes a homosexual. To get even, you switch sides with your American roots and join the Muslims in their deadly fight against your own people. You are captured, and while being interogated, your new buddies stage a surprise uprising, killing a good American in the cruelest of ways. You join this mob, willingly. How does one figure that out? Because, like the crap that you are, you float to the top, with your weapon, when the basement you are hiding in is flooded. Because it takes two witnesses to legally convict you of your obvious treason, you get a pass and are now back on your home soil as an American who will get no more than a maximum life sentence for your ADULT actions. Note: many of your fellow American servicemen are the same age defending against your ilk. Now, here is the rub, Johnnie. When all of this legal circus is over and you are put in a Federal Prison, you're sure to be sharing a cell as the new cabana boy to a guy named Bubba. After that experience, you probably won't care for the virgins waiting on you in the hereafter. Have a nice LONG life, Johnnie. Reply 6 - Posted by: Patrice dEstawelle, 2/9/2002 12:13:17 AM This country has given us all the freedom to meet here every weekend and discuss our freedoms! Actually our forefathers set up a very great form of government....even better than my Brit cousins have....and we owe them a lot that can only be repaid by our continuing vigilence. Reply 7 - Posted by: bla bla, 2/9/2002 12:15:16 AM The single most important thing America has done for millions of "anybodys" has been to be a City on a Hill -- giving the Good News of the gospel of freedom in Christ -- and from the tyranny of Islam, the political machine called the Church of England & her cousins, & countless superstitions that caused innocents to be sacrificed & cultures to be steeped in illness & poverty. May John Walker find that light before he executed. Reply 8 - Posted by: bubber, 2/9/2002 12:18:41 AM Oh, let's see...pulled the world back from the brink four or five times this century... Reply 9 - Posted by: Lawsy0, 2/9/2002 12:22:39 AM Having never known anything other than freedom, I cannot imagine. But there was a little old lady of my acquaintance who escaped what she called the 'old country' and on every July 4th or Labor Day that she lived would praise God with tears of thanksgiving for bringing her to America where her children would have enough to eat. I began to look forward to patriotic holidays when I could be with her and hear her heroic tales--always ending with joy for the bounty of America. Like MotherCo, I will think on it for the next 24 hours and maybe come up with an intelligent answer. More than likely, I will disolve in tears of gratitude, though. Happy Round Table. Did you see Dubya at the Olympics!!! Reply 10 - Posted by: wildcat1, 2/9/2002 12:29:13 AM America has done much for millions with God's help. Obviously johnny, your parent(s)? did little parenting for you. W looked great at the Olympics! Reply 11 - Posted by: Ohelpme, 2/9/2002 12:29:41 AM Just the essentials: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Reply 12 - Posted by: HGottbeliebte, 2/9/2002 12:30:44 AM OK, it's a real stupid comment. OK, he's scum. OK, he should rot in jail or be shot. However, because of the FBI's incredibly shoddy work he will probably walk. How about that? Reply 13 - Posted by: Wesen, 2/9/2002 12:32:30 AM America gave mke the chance to post this reply. THANK YOU.! Reply 14 - Posted by: Medieval One, 2/9/2002 12:33:28 AM A few years ago my daughter ran across a list of questions to ask someone and the person should give each serious thought and consideration before answering. She got to the one where it asked 'would you give up your American citizenship permanently and move to another country?' I thought and visualized what my life would be in any other country and broke down in tears. What has America given to me? I have a wonderful life my ancestors came here and struggled to give to future generations; a life of freedom, the chance to set one's goals higher than our parents, to have the many choices afforded each us. My country has its faults but I love my country and will love it until the day I die. Reply 15 - Posted by: TennFore, 2/9/2002 12:48:19 AM The Olympic opening ceremony is what America is all about. We never turn our backs on our heritage. I have never been more proud of my country AND my President! Reply 16 - Posted by: Taking the Second, 2/9/2002 12:49:19 AM Traitor Johnny has the question all wrong. The question is: what has America NOT done for anybody! Here's a short list: 1. America HAS NOT forced it's female population to be covered in a burqa, nor has it allowed it's police to beat, kick, and murder women who do not wear this glorified burlap sack. 2. America HAS NOT allowed for the execution of suspects without trial. Even when it's own citizens commit flagrant acts of treason against it. 3. America HAS NOT allowed it's government to be overrun by theological extremists who use murder, rape, and intimidation as tools to achieve their goals. 4. America HAS NOT engaged in a religious pogrom. 5. America HAS NOT established a state religion, nor has it systematically destroyed religious icons or symbols that conflict with the religious views of the majority. 6. America HAS NOT funded it's daily operations through the sale of illicit narcotics. 7. America HAS NOT destroyed it's own economy, nor has it's government interfered with commerce to the extent that it's people cannot obtain the basic neceesities of life. 8. America HAS NOT allowed any portion of it's population to starve to death. I could go on for a few hours. Hopefully Traitor Johnny will realize the error of his ways. Maybe 5 minutes before his date with a firing squad. Reply 17 - Posted by: catwoman, 2/9/2002 1:04:05 AM Let's see what American has done: (1) Saved Europe from Hitler; (2) Saved Europe from Stalin; (3) Fed and rebuilt Europe (Marshall Plan); (4) Rebuilt Japan (after bombing it into the stone age; (5) Supported Israel; (6) tried to keep peace in the Balkans; (7) tried to help those savages in Somalia; (8) propped up Jordan at least a million times; (9) sent help to Turkey after their recent earthquake (10) and so on . . . . I'm reminded of the Peter Sellers movie ("The Mouse that Roared") where the Duchy of Grand Fenwick declared war on the United States just so they could lose and get foreign aid for their country. The premise is still true today. We are a generous country, and get spit on for our pains. Reply 18 - Posted by: farmwife, 2/9/2002 1:06:18 AM My grandparents came to this country as immigrants. They would be from what would be considered the *peasant class*. Not much to hope for in their home countries. But they came to America, homesteaded on the Great Plains, and considered themselves to be lucky in spite of all the hardships. Because America gave them possibilities and opportunities. They died poor, but their children and grandchildren went on to better lives as teachers, farmers, lawyers, pharmacists, writers, or anything else they wanted to become. Nobody told them they had to live what they had been born to. That's what America gives all of us--possibilities and opportunities. What we do with that is up to us. To think this young man threw it away to fight with the Taliban! Reply 19 - Posted by: Lou E. Brown, 2/9/2002 1:08:45 AM For me, America has given me a world in which a poor kid from a poor oilfield laborer's family can actually have a college education and become a teacher. America gives me the right to cross state borders without having to get permission from anyone. America gives me the right to live and work freely for what I want and need. America gave Ratboy the right to become a traitor and to eventually live freely in a federally supplied housing development, and I hope that his 4 wives he was looking forward to are named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John....apologies to the gospel writers, but maybe the Gideons will bring Ratboy a real Bible. Is is okay to mix church and state in the Grey Door Hotel? Sleep well, Ratboy. Reply 20 - Posted by: AMYLU, 2/9/2002 1:09:24 AM As we watched the opening to the Olympics, my heart just swelled with pride at the sight of the tattered American flag and President Bush and then our young people marching in at the end of the parade. I turned to my husband and commented, "With all its faults, the United States still is the place to be. We are so blessed." Thank you, Lord! Reply 21 - Posted by: 3M_TA3, 2/9/2002 1:37:36 AM America has given us, documented in our Constitution, freedom and, through our solders dead and living, we will be free for a while longer! "The American Soldier" Typed on a small piece of cardboard in a Vietnam War artifacts exhibit case at the U.S. Air Force Academy. It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag. Who serves beneath the flag. And whose coffin is draped by the flag. Who allows the protester to burn the flag. - The Rev. Dennis Edwards, chaplain, USMC Reply 22 - Posted by: mysterylover, 2/9/2002 1:57:13 AM For a serious answer, my vote's for Freedom and Opportunity. Non - serious - Coca Cola Reply 23 - Posted by: moogman, 2/9/2002 2:13:41 AM Teflon was invented by Roy J. Plunkett, a chemist for DuPont. Click here for the story of Teflon. Reply 24 - Posted by: mamamoose, 2/9/2002 2:18:47 AM 3M, remember velcro! Pax Americana has, so far, prevented a world wide nuclear holocaust. Given a chance, Pax Americana will prevent terrorist atrocities. And, America has given me the freedom and wherewithall to be a Sports Shopper! Let's hear it for shopping! Should be an Olympic event. Reply 25 - Posted by: Euro Trash, 2/9/2002 2:25:40 AM Allowing Cameron Diaz to become famous so I can worship her! Reply 26 - Posted by: Melody, 2/9/2002 2:26:14 AM America for Me by Henry Van Dyke Tis fine to see the Old World, and travel up and down Among the famous palaces and cities of renown To admire the crumbly castles and the statues of the kings, -- But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things. So it's home again, and home again, America for me! My heart is turning home again, and there I long to be In the land of youth and freedom beyond the ocean bars Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars. Oh London is a man's town, there's power in the air, And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome; But when it comes to living there is no place like home. I like the German fir-woods, in green battalions drilled. I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled; But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her way! I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack: The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back. But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free, -- We love our land for what she is and what she is to be. Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me! I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea, To the blessed Land of Room Enough beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars. Reply 27 - Posted by: Philowl, 2/9/2002 2:28:40 AM For starters, we gave our best and bravest to save Europe from two world wars. Every time there is a major natural catastrophe anywhere in the world, everyone looks to the United States to fly relief crews and supplies to the site. With the freedom our nation provides us, we can create products, become wealthy, and use our money to help others. Bill Gates and his wife just donated 20 ~~billion~~ to the effort of vaccinating children around the world because many are now dying because they lacked those shots. Ordinary people make thousands of quilts to stock warehouses so there is always a supply to be flown to earthquake and flood victims. Ordinary people donated their money to the tune of one billion to help those affected by September 11th. All year round, ordinary people donate their money and services to innumerable charities. Then there are the benefits of men free to use their brains and efforts, who came up with things like Salk Vaccine, heart surgery, artificial hearts, kidney dialysis machines......the list goes on and on. Reply 28 - Posted by: Coral Pink, 2/9/2002 2:56:48 AM This little piece of dog excretia should be forced to ask people in visa lines all over the world, starting with the dump that is Pakistan, that insipid question. He should have to ask every last one of them, which should take the remainder of his natural life to finish. Reply 29 - Posted by: MsFalconersCabanaBoy, 2/9/2002 3:30:46 AM America gave me the right and opportunity to say whatever I want, whenever I want to, without having to fear the old knock at the door. ...and Molly Falconer. Reply 30 - Posted by: Medieval One, 2/9/2002 4:20:12 AM After posting #14 I went to bed, fell asleep for a couple of hours then woke and began thinking about John Walker and how he probably 'got that way'. He's only 20 and had NO CORE BELIEFS. He came from an affluent family in San Francisco, his mother "dabbled" in religion, his father was a closet gay whose lover has several bath houses in S.F., his schools certainly didn't teach American History except that 'those terrible white European men kept slaves'. He probably knew nothing of where this country has been nor what his future could be. He appears to have had no religious teaching nor faith of any kind. His parents left it up to him to 'find his own way' and they'd pay for the journey. Just get out and let us know when you need money. Clinton came to office when John was 12 years old, a crucial time in a boy's life when he needs some model of a man to look up to. His father certainly didn't fill the bill and eight years of Clinton and his total lack of leadership finished off his disillusionment. Eight years of Clinton made us all feel hurt, angry and confused. There are a lot of potential John Walkers wandering around out there looking for someone to follow. John Walker finally found someone who believed in "something" and felt passionate and dedicated about their belief, enough to die for it. It was obvious to all that Bill and Hillary Clinton only cared about themselves and had no passion about this country. Those were role models?? Without caring role models at home, or leading his country and a God to give him strength and direction he was easy prey for terrorist endoctrination. There are others out there. I'm not excusing what he did and it's too late for his parents to wring their hands and cry about their 'poor boy', but there are a lot more John Walkers out there with no core beliefs and a love for our country doesn't come by osmosis. They pick up either the positive or negative by their surroundings. It would help if positive American History could be taught in the schools instead of sex education and 'homosexual lifestyles'. Kids get enough of that on t.v. Now maybe I can go back to bed and sleep. Reply 31 - Posted by: buddyluv, 2/9/2002 4:21:21 AM Answer to Johnnyboy's question: If you have to ask you can't afford this country. We need to get rid of the roach. Get him out of this country. Send him to N. Korea. Reply 32 - Posted by: qwerty, 2/9/2002 5:19:21 AM America was the ''land of good'' to a Prussian laborer in 1895.He and his wife traveled to the coast of Northern Germany and boarded the SS Rugia which sailed for America. John Szwedroski and his wife landed at Ellis Island in Sept of 1896. He went to work in the brickyards along the Hudson. They raised a family of 4 sons and 3 daughters. One of those sons, Fred, grew and in 1934 met Agnes,daughter of a couple who also came to this country for a better life. They married and raised 2 sons and 1 daughter. One of the sons became a colonel in the US army and also received a Masters Degree from Johns Hopkins, The daughter also has a masters degree. The third son ...well let's say he don't do school work too well. I only have a B.A. , but I own my company. Nawww, America hasn't done much for me. Simple request to the person in charge. When, and I pray it happens, john rat is marched before the firing squad will they please be sure to give me one of the loaded rifles. Reply 33 - Posted by: femail, 2/9/2002 5:27:19 AM If I tried to write down all the good things about this country, it would take all day. I thankk God every day. But it all boils down to freedom. The bad thing is that because of this same freedom we have parents who think like the Walker-Lindhs and produce creatures like John. Reply 34 - Posted by: qwerty, 2/9/2002 5:45:55 AM One more quick question, from the story... rat boy had e-mailed his mother...Didn't we, AMERICA invent e-mail? Reply 35 - Posted by: leesum, 2/9/2002 5:50:40 AM America gave a home, freedom of religion, and prosperity to my Ellis Island immigrant ancestors and their descendants. Reply 36 - Posted by: Euro Trash, 2/9/2002 6:02:37 AM Bagels are a wonderful invention too, as is the TV dinner - great for lazy guys like me who can't be bothered to cook. And American shows like The Sopranos are among the best in the world. Reply 37 - Posted by: shooter1001, 2/9/2002 6:06:20 AM Reply 38 - Posted by: shooter1001, 2/9/2002 6:15:03 AM Let me tell you what America did for one 17 year old Sicilian kid whose father was killed, who had a mother and a younger sister and brother to support, who couldn't read nor write anything and spoke only Italian. A kid who heard the myth that 'the streets in America were paved with gold', just go and help yourself. A kid who landed here in 1919 with no place to go and with $20 borrowed against his mother's house in his pocket and the rest of his possessions in a wooden suitcase he made himself. In the middle of a snowstorm no less. There's no snow on Sicily, ever! God only knows how he got a job, albeit as a dishwasher in 3 days. And found a place to stay and started to send a few dollars home to pay off his passage loan and help his mother and siblings! Welfare? Gov't health care? Not likely. Then to night school! English, reading and writing. Shakespeare! And almost 5 years to the day he raised his right hand and became a citizen the United States of America. He got his HS diploma, not a GED, and went on to raise a family, never in any luxury but there was food on the table and the rent was paid. His son became a manager and director and a millionaire to boot! Both his grandchildren are starting out with MBA's and have a promising future! Not too long before he passed on, he told me that it was no myth, 'in America, the streets ARE paved with gold!' So, Walker, you queer spoiled little jerkoff, although you'll never understand it, that's what America did for one person and for millions of others! I hope America puts you in a cell with BUBBA. He's not very nice. He has a word for cute little boys like you: starts with a b and ends with itch. Reply 39 - Posted by: Joycie, 2/9/2002 6:52:25 AM Reply 12 is right. The FBI botched the interview with Walker. They did not record it via audio OR video and have only the interviewer's notes as evidence. I also think he will walk. Reply 40 - Posted by: Daria, 2/9/2002 7:01:32 AM America, quite literally, gave me life. My father came over here a displaced person during WWII, having lost much of his family to Communist forces and having escaped Dachau as a teen. He watched an aunt get machine gunned in the village square and his mother placed under house arrest. He saw his siblings suffer for years under socialism's yoke, unable to go to Mass, unable to fully prosper. Years later, at the age of 17, I went back to meet my grandmother and Aunt and Uncle (my grandfather was assasinated via mailbomb in '44)and saw first hand the squalor that is institutional socialism, the economomic and spiritual oppression that is Communism's hallmark. America is the epitome of the old lesson, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." So what has America done? It's given tens of millions of people the freedom to reach their fullest potential. The question the traitor should ask is, "What has Islam done for any of us, anyway?" After all, you don't see people dying on boats to reach Iran. Reply 41 - Posted by: chocoholic, 2/9/2002 7:03:33 AM Amercia has made it possible for Jihad Johnny to return to its shores where he enjoys food, showers and slick lawyering while he no doubt makes plans for a new book. Since, by his own declaration, he's no longer an American citizen, Ratboy should have been turned over to the Northern Alliance after his capture. He and Wolfboy, who sat next to him in the ofen shown film footage, would probably have been treated like the camel dung they are. Reply 42 - Posted by: Embee, 2/9/2002 7:03:49 AM America welcomed both sets of my grandparents to her shores. They were Christians living in Syria and Lebanon, Rat Boy, and saw the Moslems getting more and more powerful. They heard about the Land of Opportunity and came over here with very little money and a lot of determination. They went from selling vegetables to buying a grocery store to owning real estate investments. They paid taxes, expected their sons to serve in the AMERICAN military and loved their new country. What American did for our family, Rat Boy, was to offer freedom to worship as we choose, work toward our goals, and live in a republic guided by elected officials. The very fact that one of our American soldiers didn't shoot you when they found out that you were a traitor, tells me that even you know the answer to the above question. Reply 43 - Posted by: Hicksvillekid59, 2/9/2002 7:55:27 AM America has been offering opportunity to people around the world for hundreds of years. The struggle of my Italian grandparents is being undertaken by people that come to this country today. All they ask for is OPPORTUNITY. They are just simply saying "Give me a job and you will be proud of me." My grandparents died before they saw their son, born here, teach at a university. they died before they saw his children all go to college and be successful. All of our children have gone to college and I'm sure the same will happen to their kids. Are there any countries where this happens? My son has some recent immigrants from El Salvador working for him in his business. They are very good, hard working people. Sort of like the Italians that came here 100 years ago. They strive to send their kids to college and work numerous jobs to get it done. They work very hard to buy a house and help each other fix them up. They are living the American Dream. You can see it happening all around you. If Rat Boy can't see it, he is blind. He'll make a great member of the DimocRAT party. It doesn't matter if Rat Boy walks free. He will be a non-entity. A nobody. With no one to turn to. Except his for-hire lawyer. Not a nice outlook for the rest of your life, while the rest of us continue to enjoy our lives in the greatest country that God has seen fit to put on this earth. Reply 44 - Posted by: patriot in texas, 2/9/2002 8:10:18 AM I thought Secretary O'Neil's statement to ByrdBRAIN that he strove to do away with laws that limited the achievements of individuals sums it up .... Pursuit of liberty and freedom....Mans volution, a God given right, is free here in the great United States. Rat Boy, 20 yrs old, claiming to be ignorant and brainwashed was there with another 20 yr old, possibly responsible for his death, a young man proud of his country with a daughter and wife.... a young CIA agent mature and fighting for his country.... what a contrast .... God Bless President Bush, Laura and his staff. God Bless this great land .... of the free... the most valuable thing that can be given...FREEDOM. Reply 45 - Posted by: Travis McGee, 2/9/2002 8:49:11 AM I think his question is phrased incorrectly. In my opinion America has done nothing for anybody. AMERICANS have done plenty for individuals as well as foreign nations. The laws under which America was founded (the pursuit of freedom and liberty) provide the foundation for AMERICANS to provide assistance, if they choose, (see WWII as an example) to those individuals or nations that ask. That Mr. Walker is why America is the most unselfish country in the world. Perhaps if you stopped a moment to try and learn about the country you were so fortunate to be born in you might not be sitting in a jail right now waiting to go to prison for the rest of your life. Reply 46 - Posted by: pomom, 2/9/2002 8:49:54 AM Walker's statement to his mother is typical of a spoiled manipulative brat who didn't have to work or study to achieve anything in the way of a goal or a dream. He turned out to be manipulated himself by a cult who takes advantage of weak-minded individuals like him. Even after 9/11, America is still the greatest country in the world based on our freedom alone. Freedom is the cornerstone on which we build our future. It allows us to choose our path of life. Most of us took the right path. For Rat Boy, he chose a path of self destruction. Reply 47 - Posted by: shurnuff, 2/9/2002 9:15:06 AM On June 5 1973, Canadian radio commentator Gordon Sinclair decided he'd had enough of the stream of criticism and negative press recently directed at the United States of America by foreign journalists (primarily over America's long military involvement in Vietnam, which had ended with the signing of the Paris Peace Accords six months earlier). When he arrived at radio station CFRB in Toronto that morning, he spent twenty minutes dashing off a two-page editorial defending the USA against its carping critics which he then delivered in a defiant, indignant tone during his "Let's Be Personal" spot at 11:45 AM that day. Here is the text of that delivery: ------------- This Canadian thinks it is time to speak up for the Americans as most generous and possibly the least appreciated people on all the earth. Germany, Japan and, to a lesser extent, Britain and Italy were lifted out of the debris of war by the Americans who poured in billions of dollars and forgave other billions in debts. None of these countries is today paying even the interest on its remaining debts to the United States. When the franc was in danger of collapsing in 1956, it was the Americans who propped it up, and their reward was to be insulted and swindled on the streets of Paris. I was there. I saw it. When distant cities are hit by earthquakes, it is the United States that hurries in to help. This spring, 59 American communities were flattened by tornadoes. Nobody helped. The Marshall Plan and the Truman Policy pumped billions of dollars into discouraged countries. Now newspapers in those countries are writing about the decadent, warmongering Americans. I'd like to see just one of those countries that is gloating over the erosion of the United States Dollar build its own airplane. Does any other country in the world have a plane to equal the Boeing Jumbo Jet, the Lockheed Tristar, or the Douglas 10? If so, why don't they fly them? Why do all the International lines except Russia fly American planes? Why does no other land on earth even consider putting a man or woman on the moon? You talk about Japanese technocracy, and you get radios. You talk about German technocracy, and you get automobiles. You talk about American technocracy, and you find men on the moon - - not once, but several times - and safely home again. You talk about scandals, and the Americans put theirs right in the store window for everybody to look at. Even their draft-dodgers are not pursued and hounded. They are here on our streets, and most of them, unless they are breaking Canadian laws, are getting American dollars from ma and pa at home to spend here. When the railways of France, Germany and India were breaking down through age, it was the American who rebuilt them. When the Pennsylvania Railroad and the New York Central went broke, nobody loaned them an old caboose. Both are still broke. I can name you 5,000 times when the Americans raced to the help of other people in trouble. Can you name me even one time when someone else raced to the Americans in trouble? I don't think there was outside help even during the San Francisco earthquake. Our neighbors have faced it alone, and I'm one Canadian who is damned tired of hearing them get kicked around. They will come out of this thing with their flag high. And when they do, they are entitled to thumb their noses at the lands that are gloating over their present troubles. I hope Canada is not one of those. ------------------------- I can't help blubbering every time I read those words....... Reply 48 - Posted by: eloy, 2/9/2002 9:43:16 AM Freedom! My parents brought me and my sisters here from Cuba over 40 years ago. This is the best country on earth. Period. Too bad Taliban Johnnie can't see that. Reply 49 - Posted by: gawll, 2/9/2002 10:05:40 AM When Taliban Johnny e-mailed his mother and asked "What has America ever done for anybody?" I wonder what HER answer was. Reply 50 - Posted by: wildcat1, 2/9/2002 10:24:58 AM Many of you seem to say, and I agree, that America is made up of individuals and that individuals have made America great. Without individuals, and God's help there could be no America. Reply 51 - Posted by: DSB48, 2/9/2002 10:44:15 AM Well..... Stupid... You have been given byAmerica the right to a trial HERE, and not in one of those lovely coutries you wish to live in where they might stone you to death, or strangle you in the public square in front of thousands of cheering true believers Reply 52 - Posted by: gop_guys, 2/9/2002 10:51:25 AM the world knows the greatness of america. that's why they're all trying to get here. the issue for johnny walker is the breakdown of the family. children need a mom and a dad that love them and love each other. johnny walker is a poster boy for what a disfunctional family can produce. what kind of a poor excuse for a father and a husband did his dad turn out to be. i'm afraid his mom is no better. imho, many of the problems we see today result from the breakdown in the family. my advice is to the husbands of america. love your wife as Christ loved the church! Reply 53 - Posted by: GoldenGriz, 2/9/2002 11:09:45 AM Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. JFK Reply 54 - Posted by: dd, 2/9/2002 11:30:52 AM America has only saved the world from Nazism and Communism.Just what has Johny Taliban ever done that was productive, and for someone else??I could go on and on, for days, about what America does....but this kind of plaintive, moaning plea from wonderboy Walker is contemptible, and I'd rather be in a happy mood right now. This evil snot, this low-life scum, deserves the death penalty.Hmmmmmmm....that's something America can do for us all... Reply 55 - Posted by: Gern Blanston, 2/9/2002 11:38:45 AM What has America done for anybody? It has allowed many different religions to thrive freely, to the point that Islam, which is NOT a peaceful religion, (despite the mantra to try and convince one otherwise) now has the means to destroy America within her own borders. By the way, Rat Boy will walk, thanks to circus trials and flamboyant lawyers. I hope to be proven wrong on that one. Ultra-tolerance will kill us. On a lighter note, I know of a cop here in town who busted a Middle-Eastern illegal on an expired visa. Hey...every little bit helps. Reply 56 - Posted by: lotsaguns, 2/9/2002 11:58:56 AM Little Johnny's question is very revealing in that he wants America "to do" for others. That's not how it works, little boy. We do for ourselves and out of that our country prospers. And the reason we can "do for ourselves" is because our forefathers created the greatest document in human history affirming the right of the individual. If you do walk, I predict you'll have a short life. Reply 57 - Posted by: Shenandoah, 2/9/2002 12:07:25 PM What really gets me are the "poor, little, confused youth" statements coming out of this, and I have no doubt the defense lawyers are going to milk that one for everything it's worth. Dammit! I was a Marine at seventeen and you can bet your boopy that any "confused youths" in the military had better snap out of their BS PDQ! There are presently U.S. Soldiers in Afghanistan risking their lives for our freedom, many of whom are younger that Talibany Walker! Reply 58 - Posted by: TheMotherCO , 2/9/2002 12:07:33 PM Patriot in Texas, ROTF at ByrdBrain. Perfect description. I think the question refers to "America" as a euphemism for its' people. Obviously, our founders were extraordinary human beings and it is amazing to me that so many of the laws and amendments they made are so up to date and still pertinent. My Great Grandparents came here from Germany to escape the conscription of their sons to fight for some duchy or other. English was the ONLY language spoken in their homes. I asked my Mom how come she didn't speak German and she said that her parents and grandparents were Americans and wanted to forget all things European. My Great Grandfather was a burgomaster in Bremerhaven, but left it behind to come here. So many of us make jokes about this question, but I am dead serious - America means the earth, sea and stars to me. I love it and would never leave it. Than God we exist! Reply 59 - Posted by: BorninOKC, 2/9/2002 12:10:08 PM I suppose very little American history is taught in classrooms today. Externally, the United States of America intervened in and won two World Wars, prevailed in the Cold War, helped persuade its own allies to give up colonialism, and gave many peoples the example of a lawful republic on which to model their own nations. Internally this country has been on a self correcting path to insure that a larger percentage of the population has more rights, redress of wrongs, and a chance for a better living. Unfortunately - and some will disagree with me here - the essential ideas are much connected to Christianity, adoption and use of the English Language, the English Common Law, and north European ethics. The whole idea is threatedned by moral relativism. Reply 60 - Posted by: Sooner, 2/9/2002 12:11:24 PM For me, the bold glory displayed at the opening of the Olympics encapsulates the heart, spirit, and love of America. Nobody does it better! I kept thinking what a marvel this must have been for all those foreign athletes to see the history of the settling of the west evolve in such beautiful pagentry. It was obvious that every performer felt honored to be chosen, and that they put their whole hearts into their singing, dancing, playing, and skating. When I saw Yo YO Ma, I thought, "Well, they haven't left any great person out. Seeing our president choose to sit among our athletes rather than stand on some lofty platform to announce the opening of the games revealed one more time, his humble and prayerful spirit. But, for me years from now, it will be the memory of that tattered flag being carried so reverently onto the field by brave men who are willing to give their lives to defend its glory. Thanks for the many moving stories I've read here this morning. The goodness and love of country of our LDotters always brings tears to my eyes. On this thread are the people who make our country great. Sooner Reply 61 - Posted by: hawk man, 2/9/2002 12:11:42 PM I would liked to have seen his mothers reply, maybe it would have changed the outcome. Reply 62 - Posted by: Shenandoah, 2/9/2002 12:13:04 PM Obviously, our founders were extraordinary human beings... Do you mean those dead white slave owners and pedophiles? Reply 63 - Posted by: nyconse, 2/9/2002 12:23:03 PM My husband's parents came from Ireland in the 1940's. There has been a civil war raging in Ireland for many years. They came for peace, for freedom and a better life for their children. My husband's parents worked hard; the whole family worked. My husband was the first to go to college in his entire family. As soon as possible, the parents became citizens. They rarely talked about Ireland. They were proud Americans. Unfortunately, Schools play a part in teaching children to hate America. For example, my daughter came home and told me her teacher said we killed Reply 64 - Posted by: browneyes, 2/9/2002 12:24:14 PM This is a probing topic. I feel there is no more to be said on the subjest, as all here have an undeniable sense of truth about what America has done for us all. There is something eluding me, however, because my thoughts are jumbled up with things like our Judiciary, the Press and and the Lawyers who are so willing to defend thoae like Walker, the shoe bomber, the Asoussi sp. and just yesterday, the guy who breeched to cockpit door. Yes, America DOES a lot for so many, but those who do so much for so many present the dicotomy with which I am struggling, Tes, I understand free speech, the 1st Ammendment, the 2nd, the 5th, etc. So I suppose those who would seek to tear at the fabric of our constitution & Bill of rights, are also doing thins for "us" I kow how much My Dad gave to me when he came fron Europe, my brothers who fought to wars on my behalf and what greatness our framers did for me. Perhaps the issue is a recognition of good and evil, right and wrong or being frustrated that those who seek to denegrate us are entitled to all those rights we must protect. Prattling on here. Forgive me. Reply 65 - Posted by: drnic, 2/9/2002 12:25:51 PM When I heard that quote from Walker, "what has America ever done for anybody?", I think at that moment I stopped being angry at Walker and began to truly pity him. His question left me breathless and stunned. I don't know whether this kid's problems stem from nature or nurture, but I suspect it's a combination of both. If he has to ask a questions like that, then he probably needs to be taken back to Afghanistan and left to live among "his people"; his parents can visit him abroad. To me, that would be the perfect solution. I couldn't begin to enumerate what this country has done for me, or what it means to me. Our European "friends" who are so intent on tearing the United States down at the moment, seem to have forgotten what this country has done for them, too. If anyone could watch the Opening Ceremonies last night and ever doubt that this is the greatest nation the would has ever known, then maybe a couple of years in Afghanistan would do them some good too. Reply 66 - Posted by: Julianne, 2/9/2002 12:27:35 PM America has done everything for me to love and appreciate all the bounty and freedom here. Everyone on the Roundtable has said it more eloquently than I could ever express. I believe the traitor will walk but not for long. God could strike him dead but for His mercy He will allow someone to do it for Him. Reply 67 - Posted by: sog trooper, 2/9/2002 12:28:41 PM ''It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship.'' --Patrick Henry Reply 68 - Posted by: Shenandoah, 2/9/2002 12:32:45 PM I wonder how many Americans really appreciate how tenuous our Revolution was. George Washington led a rag-tag, under-equipped, under-fed army against one of the greatest powers in the world and, against all odds, defeated them. If we had lost, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, et.al., these men who were giants, would have been hung for treason and our Revolution would have been little more than a footnote in English history. Reply 69 - Posted by: mysterylover, 2/9/2002 1:10:28 PM Winston Churchill - ' The Americans took but little when they emigrated except what they stood up in and what they had in their souls. They came through, they tamed the wilderness, they became 'a refuge for the oppressed from every land and clime.' Reply 70 - Posted by: BessieB, 2/9/2002 1:15:12 PM Thank God for a place where people can pursue Him without fear from dictators. We certainly have had times when the government has infringed on this freedom. When I think back to our English/Scottish/Irish ancestors and the religious persecution that some of them faced as a result of disagreeing with the Catholic church or the Church of England or Hitler or Lenin or whomever, I am so thankful that they found somewhere to freely seek Truth and not the truth according to some man. BTW, does anyone have a picture of President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan wearing their cowboy hats? Reply 71 - Posted by: Avesinnido, 2/9/2002 1:18:53 PM No matter what America does, there are some people who will find fault for some reason, real or imagined. I think it is perhaps more valid to show the integrity of the American people and its government by stipulating a few cataclysmically consequential things America DID NOT do in post WWII, when then, as now, it was a power nonpareil. Some of the things America did not do, although well within its capacity, and for which it would have profited mightily, is that it did not invade, subjugate and bleed Canada, nor Mexico, nor the rest of the Western Hemisphere. Ignoring Europe for a moment, we could have owned Cuba and all the Caribbean islands of interest, and in the Pacific, where we had uncontested sway, many of the important and resource rich islands of Indonesia, keeping Japan, Formosa and the Philippines in thrall for generations, all easily done if America used the draconian control techniques as actually employed by then Germany, USSR, Italy, and Japan. Moreover, to finance our global gobbling, we could have fifty years ago, using captured conscripts, simply taken the defenseless Arabian oil fields for our very own, profiting in the process trillions of dollars doling out our acquired oil to the desperate world at prices we chose. Landlocked Russia could move on Europe in response but their ace was trumped by the bomb. All the above and much, much, much, more was totally doable. Not easily, but doable. However while each was in fact somewhat seriously considered in the postwar power vacuum, they were also seen as unthinkable. Unthinkable by the same world power that having relinquished its option for world dominion, then unselfishly rebuilt its mortal enemies, and is now so maliciously maligned by the peaceniks and liberal media (who should know better, except they went to journalism schools) as being self serving, evil to the core, and morally reprehensible. Go figure. Reply 72 - Posted by: Kismet, 2/9/2002 1:19:56 PM America has given the world the overflow from its full heart and loving sharing spirit. It want's others to have the experience and personal freedom and freedom from fear and hunger that Americans all have the opportunity for. It translates out into sending our own children to die to free their countries from tyranny during WWI and WWII, Cold War, Vietnam War, Korean war, etc. Foreign aid that goes to third world countries even though the leaders of those countries have been robbing their own people of the food and care it would represent. Business to countries that should improve the quality of life for all but the leaders of those countries again hold all the wealth and blame US for their problems. Our young people in the Peace Corps - giving their youth to try to make life better for those less fortunate. Our support to World Health Organizations and a mirade of relief organizations. Dr. Tom Dooley an example. Vaccinations to third world countries. Bill Gates foundation has given billions. When I was in highschool in 1965 our class project was to send money to former classmate in South America to build homes for the poor. President Jimmy Carter and his mother are examples of the selflisness of our people. He in Habitat for Humanity. Her in the Peace Corps in the winter of her life. These are but a few of the many many things we as a grateful grateful nation give to those less fortunate than ourselves in hope that they too can find freedom and little of the heaven on earth we as Americans have. Reply 73 - Posted by: Shenandoah, 2/9/2002 1:26:50 PM These are wonderful testaments to America and this thread is definitely worth saving. I know that it will be archived, but I just thought I'd say it anyway. Reply 74 - Posted by: ontario, 2/9/2002 1:32:01 PM Does anyone remember Edward Everett Hale who ,back in the early 1800s damned the United States and wished he would never hear of it again? The judge granted his wish, and put him on a naval vessel and ordered that no one was ever to speak to him of the U.S. again nor was he ever to set foot on her shores. Perhaps we should learn from history and grant this ingrate his wish. We would be safe from his violence while at the same time protecting him from this terrible country that has never done anything for him! Reply 75 - Posted by: Shenandoah, 2/9/2002 1:35:09 PM ontario, "Man without a Country" In his loneliness and his longing for America, he sewed an American flag. Reply 76 - Posted by: athina, 2/9/2002 1:40:16 PM #42 found the article that sprung to my mind to demonstrate at least one non-citizen who found many ways to answer this question. Also, I would dare to say that America is primarily responsible for the astonishing advances made by man in the entire 20th century: transportation, medicine, computer technology, space exploration... because it was the freedom in this country that freed the spirits to dream and explore and create.. And, with regard to how we have defeated the evil that has sprung from countries around the world -- thereby bettering the lot of peoples everywhere -- we are doing it ONCE AGAIN, in this war against terrorism. And once again, we are the LEADERS, we are the primary FIGHTERS and we will once again be the VICTORS. Reply 77 - Posted by: kahuna, 2/9/2002 1:51:30 PM Lets just make this simple and save all of us a lot of money and ruffled nerves. Let him loose in the center of our country right after we remove his citizenship, and lets see if he is capable of making it to a coast city. If he does we can offer him and all his bleeding hearts buddies a one way ticket to *Dune Coon* country. Good riddance of rubbish. Reply 78 - Posted by: sojourner, 2/9/2002 2:01:31 PM For me it is the first amendment to the constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Repeating the quote posted by sog trooper: It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship. --Patrick Henry Funny how every religion is tolerated in this country except the one on which it was founded (half tongue in cheek). As for Ratboy…Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22.6). Reply 79 - Posted by: etoile du nord, 2/9/2002 2:04:06 PM In January of 2001, my favorite thing was the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Reply 80 - Posted by: etoile du nord, 2/9/2002 2:12:33 PM Re: #79 Make that January of 1997. Reply 81 - Posted by: saguni, 2/9/2002 2:15:32 PM Obviously, our founders were extraordinary human beings... Do you mean those dead white slave owners and pedophiles? Just remember, that white Americans were the first in the world to decide slavery was wrong, fought a war to end it in our country, and still fight it in Moslem countries and in Africa where it flourishes TODAY. Reply 82 - Posted by: Joycie, 2/9/2002 2:21:41 PM Reply 70 - BessieB. For photos of the Reagans, try www.reaganranch.com. Don't know if there are any, but it's worth a try. Reply 83 - Posted by: ontario, 2/9/2002 2:25:22 PM shenandoah----can you imagine a more fitting punishment? Perhaps it should be embellished due to the great loss of life of 9-11, but it certainlyfits my idea of punishment more closely than sending him to the country clubs our prisons have become. Reply 84 - Posted by: Joycie, 2/9/2002 2:28:40 PM BessieB. I just went on the reaganranch web site, clicked on Best of Reagan, then on Photo Gallery. There are photos, but not a lot and only one of Nancy wearing a cowboy hat, none of Ronald wearing one. Reply 85 - Posted by: Shenandoah, 2/9/2002 2:36:26 PM saguni I was being sarcastic - echoing some of the ridiculous statements being bandied about these days. Among one of the few posts I've left here, I will refer you to #68. Reply 86 - Posted by: saguni, 2/9/2002 2:54:05 PM Shenandoah, I apologise, I had looked for where you had clipped the first line and didn't see it. But, this being Black History Month, and all the foldorol that goes with that... I just thought one of the things I'm proud of is the way our citizens see injustice and try to correct it. Every one knows the first part of the First Amendment, but few mention the last clause..'nor prevent the free exercise thereof' Every one is now repeating "dead white slave owners" as if that is the ONLY facet of their lives worth remembering. And seldom is it mentioned the 'WE' were the first to STOP slavery. At the time, it took a lot of courage to go against the accepted norm in society, and people who helped the Underground Railroad put their lives at risk to help strangers. Reply 87 - Posted by: DOTHEMATH, 2/9/2002 3:02:12 PM If Walker has to ask what has America done for anyone (me) then it i tragic that the parents and schools did not ingrain the principles of the most important document ever written by mankind: The Declaration of Independence --that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable RIGHTS, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. King George usurpted these INALIENABLE RIGHTS and a revolution was fought for these rights.Many wars and a civil war have been fought over these principles. We are now engaged in a titanic battle over our and the worlds declaration of independence--those God giving unalienable rights. Reply 88 - Posted by: Geneper, 2/9/2002 3:03:23 PM In 18 years it will be the 400th anniversary of the landing of my first ancestors to arrive on these shores I think the place has lived up to our expectations and then some. It's what you make of it that counts. We feel that we can call it "home". That's as much as you can expect of a place. Reply 89 - Posted by: TheMotherCO , 2/9/2002 3:26:51 PM Shen, I knew about the white slave owners, but hadn't heard about the pedophiles - do tell!!! lol I just knew they were up to no good back then!! Reply 90 - Posted by: epaulie, 2/9/2002 3:29:06 PM What's America done for anyone? They let you continue living, eh Rat Boy? epaulie Reply 91 - Posted by: Riley, 2/9/2002 3:35:29 PM So many posters have beat me to the easiest replies, stopping Slavery, WWII, Rebuilding Europe.. So maybe I can add a different perspective. I'm very lucky in that my realtives moved here in 1757. They are Amish. Still are. You see in America, peaceful religious sects are allowed to florish unharmed for centuries. At no point has the Govt. or the people tried to harm or disband this group of religious fundamentalists. Please show me another part of the world where people are allowed to be so different, yet are accepted as Americans. Granted in 1757 the Amish way was they way most things were done. Reply 92 - Posted by: Gern Blanston, 2/9/2002 4:03:14 PM Being a former "radio guy" myself (had to quit due to the poverty wages) I always liked this early shot of Reagan at WHO in Des Moines. This also answers the board's question: "What has America ever done for anybody?" TWO REAGAN LANDSLIDES Reply 93 - Posted by: Gern Blanston, 2/9/2002 4:12:35 PM Well, that image post didn't work worth a staff mouse bleep. I couldn't find the one of Ron and Nancy in a cowboy hat either. Maybe another L-Dotter knows more about html coding than I do. No...make that PROBABLY! Reply 94 - Posted by: patriot035, 2/9/2002 4:13:33 PM America offers an alternative to socialism. Socialism offers misery and death. The biggest problem America faces today is "creeping socialism" and all it brings to the table: Eroding soverieghnty, liberal judges, the welfare state, race-baiting, high taxes, the Democrat Party and practically anything and everything that challenges common sense. Bangladesh once gave America a bag of grain, they said they would have given more but it was all they could afford. Other than that, I cannot, offhand, think of anything the world has freely offered the American people. Reply 95 - Posted by: jamnjelly, 2/9/2002 4:21:31 PM well, where to start.. let's start with material things.. how does he like the automobile? and how about toilets that actually work ? this boy badly needs some history lessons and it's obvious he didn't get any in the calif schools his parents should be ashamed and lest I forgot, who the hell taught those ignorant saudis how to get that black gold out of the ground, hmmmm ?? Reply 96 - Posted by: Joycie, 2/9/2002 4:36:14 PM BessieB - For lots of photos of Ronald Reagan, there is a new book out called *Unguarded Moments.* Don't know the photographer, but he had almost unlimited access to the president. Reply 97 - Posted by: rcdubay, 2/9/2002 4:38:49 PM Thank you, Lucianne, for this wonderful topic. I've been chewing over a response today, trying to come up with something succinct and eloquent, to keep up with my fellow L-dotters. Then, as I was finishing my Saturday errands, it hit me. You see, I had just spent an hour in Wal-Mart. Yes, it was crowded, and a few children were behaving badly, and some of the staff had no clue. But, there under that roof were hundreds, maybe thousands, of people engaged in their own personal 'pursuit of happiness.' And, it is open to everyone...no special permission or station in society required. Now little Rat Boy would probably sneer and rant on about America's materialism, etc. But, I think I know which side of the argument your average Afghani housewife would come down on. Reply 98 - Posted by: BessieB, 2/9/2002 4:51:59 PM Thanks, y'all. I'll check 'em out. Gots to go do some work. Reply 99 - Posted by: Gern Blanston, 2/9/2002 5:13:38 PM #94's description of Bangladesh really got to me. As far as I know, Finland has been the only one to repay a loan. I suppose all of the other countries that we've loaned money to and have stiffed us figure we owe 'em. "America has everything anyway, forget 'em." Apparently also, we owe the U.N. money. Would they not count American blood spilled as a form of payment? The "ultimate payment," I would say. not bloody likely The roundtable question asks "What has America ever done for anybody?" Well, how about trying to bring food to the overseas starving? and it cost us 18 Marines Let's not pay back the money. Reply 100 - Posted by: steph_gray, 2/9/2002 5:31:22 PM I am inspired by all the intangibles people have described so eloquently in earlier posts, but let's think tangibles. Johnny Walker ate breakfast in prison this morning. American business brought the food to him. American business probably built the kitchen and invented some of the appliances that were used to cook it, as well as providing the fabrics for whatever clothing he's wearing and the materials for whatever personal products, such as a toothbrush, he used. American ingenuity gave him a reasonably clean cell and the American economy gave him energy to light and heat it. American invention gave him the computer on which he typed the email. American technology even probably provided whatever weapons he used to fight Americans. Too bad we didn't bomb him back into the Stone Age he would definitely exist in without America. Reply 101 - Posted by: Jeff, 2/9/2002 5:50:42 PM Try this. Ronald Reagan in a cowboy hat. There just doesn't seem to be one with both of them in the same picture. Reply 102 - Posted by: Euro Trash, 2/9/2002 6:33:02 PM Some great writers too: F Scott Fitzgerald, Mark Twain, Hunter S Thompson. Thompson is not to everyone's tastes I grant you! Reply 103 - Posted by: chuck1192, 2/9/2002 6:40:25 PM Wonderful responses! All well said. I just wonder what his mother's reply would have been. Reply 104 - Posted by: GreatGrandmaMaria, 2/9/2002 6:46:19 PM Jeff's great picture of Ronald Reagan is being taped to the wall at the computer as I type. Thanks! Reply 105 - Posted by: CEP, 2/9/2002 6:59:16 PM FREEDOM Reply 106 - Posted by: LuLu, 2/9/2002 7:00:12 PM I can't add anything that has not already been said...but wanted to thank #26 Melody for posting Henry Van Dyke...I Love his work ....... Reply 107 - Posted by: farmwife, 2/9/2002 7:11:13 PM Thank you 3M for that wonderful post about the American soldier. When I hear journalists whine about freedom of the press, i wonder what they did to deserve any freedom of the press. Most of them don't even bother to tell the truth, which is all we ask of them. Reply 108 - Posted by: Philowl, 2/9/2002 7:13:34 PM #74 -- ontario: The Man Without A Country affected me profoundly when I read it while young. In later years, even after I learned the story was fiction, it still served to remind me how I would absolutely loathe to be parted from America. I think I would wilt and die! In the story, the man declares in court he wishes he never would hear of the United States again. The judge sentenced him to exile on a ship. Each time it approached America, he was put on another ship heading out. All newspapers and other items that came into his hands had references to America obliterated. At the time of his death, it was discovered he had on his person an American flag he had sewn from scraps of cloth obtained from various sources. American prisoners of war made similar flags for themselves. That flag is precious to Americans. Reply 109 - Posted by: TheMotherCO , 2/9/2002 8:08:03 PM You know, I think Cspan had pictures of Nancy and Ron riding, complete with hats. They did a series on all of the presidents and you might find the pics on their site. It is very large and they have lots of info. Reply 110 - Posted by: Patrice dEstawelle, 2/9/2002 8:14:09 PM SonnyBoy should thank the pro-life people that his mother was not forced to have an abortion as the ChiComs would if they knew he would grow up to fight against his country. We also have the freedom to do this forum and be posted on GOOGLE! Yes, cousin decided to research my pen neme and found all the listings on google were my Ldot postings! Check it out with your names. Reply 111 - Posted by: gasman, 2/9/2002 8:24:39 PM "What has America evr done for anybody" Well taliban john, America gives more foreign aide than any 5 countries combined! America protects the weak countries from scum like you and you associates. Reply 112 - Posted by: beantime, 2/9/2002 8:31:13 PM Hey Ratboy Johnny Walker Red Taliban - America (and California, let's not forget) allowed you to be a total jerk (a**hole is what I wanted to say). Reply 113 - Posted by: Chance, 2/9/2002 8:36:52 PM In America, you can be successful if you are willing to get an education , work hard, roll with the punches, and don't give up. You can be anything you set your sights on if you are willing to put in the work and preparation. If you don't care for hard work and the drudge of staying in school, then you can live off the benevolence of the hard working class - let them support your offspring, and you can sit around and complain about what America should do for you. Only in America! Reply 114 - Posted by: Novice, 2/9/2002 8:40:36 PM There was an impoverished young man who came to America from Ireland during the Potato famine. He married in America but was an alcoholic and hated God and the Church. His son was an alcoholic Atheist as well living in Chicago but he changed his mind about God, worked hard and I find the third generation living in relative wealth. That was my Grandparents generation. It is the American way. Johny, their are 300 million + people that are protected by our wonderful Constitution to give them the opportunities that I and my ancestors had. We are protected from YOU and other dangers. What is most sad is, "Why didn't you learn this in school?" Reply 115 - Posted by: Chance, 2/9/2002 8:52:47 PM Another thing America will do for Jihad Johnny- is give him free room and board for rest of his life. America probably won't execute him like they would in Afghanistan (which is what he deserves). Jihad Johnny is such an ungrateful cuss. Reply 116 - Posted by: californiasnow, 2/9/2002 8:55:58 PM To all you anti-american buttlicks out there (Johnny Bin Walker included): America is the country established by Diety. America is the country that has been upheld by the hand of Diety. America will continue to be the country that Diety uses as an instrument to accomplish His purposes (so long as America will have Him). To fight against America, even though she is not perfect, is to essentially fight against the Almighty and when you do that...amen to you. Reply 117 - Posted by: anabasis, 2/9/2002 9:58:56 PM Freedom without purpose is a dangerous corrosive. Purpose is the 'fire within'. God Bless America! Reply 118 - Posted by: treecat, 2/9/2002 10:09:06 PM America has allowed me to do anything I might put my mind to, as long as I was willing to work for it. When I returned to America, (while peanuts Carter was still President) my apprection of Freedom was more attuned to enjoy living Free. Reply 119 - Posted by: stlou, 2/9/2002 10:17:27 PM I just read a great book about WWII citizen soldiers titled "The 25 Yard War". The feats of these brave, common men bring a tear to your eye. Perhaps books like these should be must reads in our schools so children learn the great lengths that everyday people went to so a-holes can freely rant and rave. Reply 120 - Posted by: 3M_TA3, 2/9/2002 10:19:44 PM This is off-subject, but ... The writer of Amazing Grace, John Newton, was a slave trader. He was a captain of a slave ship. After coming out alive from a violent storm at sea he realized the evil that he was doing. He then became a major abolitionist in England. Former President John Quincy Adams argued a case for the crew and passengers of the Amistad before the U.S. Supremem Court. The SCOTUS ruled that the crew and passengers were free men and women, illegally taken from Africa, were never citizens of Spain and were not guilty of murder for the deaths of the crewmen during the Amistad takeover. I have just 2 examples from both sides of the Atlantic on how those old white men of history were not all condoning or aproving of slavery. Lastly, there would have NEVER been a Constitution of the United States if there was not a compromise on the issue of slavery. Reply 121 - Posted by: Kismet, 2/9/2002 10:22:12 PM Rat-Boy : WHAT HAVE YOU EVER DONE FOR ANYBODY?????? Reply 122 - Posted by: Lawsy0, 2/9/2002 11:00:38 PM Above on the thread a poster made mention of Edward Everett Hale, the Unitarian pastor who wrote A Man Without a Country. Now to mention a non-fiction person from our early history: Nathan Hale, who said 'I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.' This topic has been very uplifting. Thank you Lucianne and staff. Reply 123 - Posted by: LComStaff, 2/9/2002 11:11:49 PM Thread 2 is now open! Thread Closed © 2002 Lucianne.com Media Inc.