BULLYING AMERICA, by Gerald O’Meara
It is easy, and simplistic to bully the United States of America.
Constructive criticism can be healthy but destructive criticism intended to harm or to garner acceptance and approval from an audience via the media or even the dinner table is shallow, disrespectful, and a close relative of bullying.
It is easy to bully when the subject is vulnerable and does not fight back. Despite pouring money and goodwill into many countries including some that do not have our best interests at heart, the United States is bullied on many fronts.
The bullies on the home front are encouraged by their rights to free speech, a gift from our founding fathers not shared by many countries. I suppose the best way to deal with these folks is to ignore them. The “Hate Brigade” doesn’t care about facts.
I remember a time before the Vietnam War and Watergate when respect for our country at home and in many countries was evident.
To my chagrin, I learned as a young man that there was no Wizard of Oz.
Will we as a country continue to make mistakes? Of course, we will. Mistakes are part of the human experience and no one or no country is infallible.
Is this bullying I speak of a product of hate alone?
No, it is a product of hate and ignorance. Recently I witnessed interviews of college students protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza and America’s response. Many of them were naïve, easily led, and did not have a grasp of the issues. However, problems aside, bullying of Jewish students should never be tolerated on our college campuses or anywhere in America.
I have also witnessed for far too many years athletes kneeling during our national anthem. There is a time and a place for peaceful protests but angering thousands of fans who have paid to watch you perform is highly inappropriate and ignorant.
The national anthem is about our flag surviving a battle for freedom in a war against American oppressors. It was written to celebrate the resilience, optimism, and undying spirit of the United States of America during a critical moment in history.
Also, let us never forget that our flag is the only symbol of our freedom that men and women have died for.
Are the kneelers aware of this? Do they care?
How can we as Americans regain the respect our country once enjoyed?
It must start on the home front. First: We the people must believe that our country has earned and deserves respect. The United States consistently ranks as one of the most generous nations in the world. We donate and loan billions of dollars annually worldwide to combat poverty, humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and many other causes.
Here at home, we spend billions of dollars to fight poverty, racism, unemployment, and a myriad of other causes.
In addition to our government, Americans have created hundreds of charities that help millions at home and abroad.
Second: We must educate our most vulnerable, and valuable asset, our children. We must set an example for our children to carry forward. Our children are our future. They must know that most Americans are generous and good people.
We must also teach our children that freedom is not free. The right to criticize our country was earned by men and women who shed their blood for our right to free speech.
We must never allow our precious freedoms to be misused or ignored by mean-spirited bullies of America simply because the bullies do not like or agree with politicians or the mistakes our country has made.
America is so much more than our politicians!
The United States of America is: We the People. There is no room for hatred!
The resurgence of respect for America is in our hands. May it begin today.
May it begin with you and me.
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