Wanted to share this because I found it appalling and an issue. It was sent in an email newsletter that comes from a Community Coordinator for I-DEA virtual school. A woman with 10 kids that homeschools most of them and gets paid $30k to do very little with taxpayers money... like sending this out in a newsletter.

Ah, to get paid to promote your nationalism and be untouchable because of literarily being wrapped in the flag.

I don't agree that this poem is truth. I believe that human personification of the flag only further promotes propoganda and what better propoganda than to affix all wars with that of "liberty" even if the reality is something different. I want to make it CLEAR. Yes, I was born of the soil of the U.S.A., as social etiquette and grace I will demonstrate a plege of allegiance for social conformity to not incite elders in the community. But, I don't believe in this crap. I really get ticked at the nuance of accepting this crap as "all good Americans should" without question.

If you want to know why we are screwed up as a society and why the world hates us... read this from any other perspective then the nationalized one. Read it from the point of someone that lives in a country occupied by our soldiers who are forced to do their job or have severe recourse for disagreeing with their commander and chief or the congress that funds their risk in occupying a nation and killing innocent lives. Read it from the perspective of a dictator that wants nuclear bombs to keep the U.S. from spreading its version of liberty into its country and willing to harm anyone and everyone in making sure that flag never gets too close. Read it from the perspective of people that have been underminded by American business and are dying out because of it. Read it as the deforested area of Nicaragua. Read it from the perspective of the Chinese slave laborer providing a trinket for an American child to be sold in WalMart while said slave takes all the risks and penalty in that endeavor.

This people... is what makes others hate the U.S. and fear it not because "they" are doing something bad but because we are flamming idiots promoting this propoganda in our public schools with taxpayer dollars.

Here it is:

I Am the Flag of the United States

Of America



I am the Flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.

I fly majestically over institutions of learning.

I stand guard with power in the world.

Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.

I stand for freedom.

I am confident.

I am arrogant.

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,

My head is a little higher,

My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!

I am recognized all over the world.

I am worshipped—I am saluted.

I am loved—I am revered.

I am respected—and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years. I was flown at Valley

Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.

I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,

In the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.

Guam, Okinawa, Korea and Khesan, Vietnam knows me.

I’m presently in the mountains of Afghanistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and

Wherever freedom is needed.

I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,

But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.

And when it’s done by those whom I’ve served in battle, it hurts.

But I shall overcome -for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space

From my vantage point on the Moon.

I have borne silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.

Interesting isn't it that we can "Proudly" Claim the title of the only country to have warred on pretty much every continent and with people of almost every ethnicity. Many of whom one would think we had very little reason to be involved with. Why do people who live almost half the earth away in virtual poverty want to go to war against a Nation of such wealth and power. It makes one wonder are they angry at us, and why, or are they just crazy? Or could it be for a much simpler reason, that we seem to have a knack for sticking our Imperial noses into everyones business. Literally. If you examine most of our incursions with a magnifiying glass you will note that most often it has to do with some business interest or some Supposed National interest which usually boils down to some kind of resource. Our flag should never be misused for that purpose. As a former Marine I object strenuously. I am in good company. Major General Smedley Butler, who wrote "War is a Racket", felt the same way.

Blech.