Monday, May 28, 2012

Freedom isn't free


It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.



It is the veteran, not the community organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.



Remember - only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

24 comments:

  1. Amen. Thanks,Patrice.

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  2. Very well said!! You should place your words somewhere permanent!
    Thanks sooo much!!
    K in OK <><

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    1. Oh, I **CANNOT** take credit for these words -- it was something passing around the internet that struck me as VERY true, and I thought I'd pass it on.

      - Patrice

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  3. I'm moved by your picture of the person deciding to stand from the wheelchair ! I can't help but think of II Peter 3:16 as the only basis for the others not standing !

    They really haven't been taught the explanation of our unique Christian heritage, and I suspect it is partly our fault.

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  4. Its a wonderful post.

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  5. But.. did they die for our freedom?

    http://www.wildriverrogues.com/2012/05/memorial-day-indoctrination/

    I can't bring myself to tell my daughter that they did. Your thoughts?

    ~ Sandy Taylor

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    1. The American serviceman fights for freedom and against tyranny, where ever that may be. Unfortunately, that fight will be at our door step very soon.

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    2. Hey Sandy...

      My thoughts are you need to wake up.

      Maybe if you speak honestly to your daughter about the true form and nature of what our fighting forces are protecting you both from today, you'll get your head straight and gain some much needed perspective.

      Making our troops the bad guys is a cowardly and traitorous mindset, IMHO.

      My dad suffered so you can continue to freely espouse such drivel, and I can guarantee you the enemies of America won't be so tolerant of your dissenting opinions and hand-wringing if the people standing between you and the bad guys should they ever fail...which they won't. Lucky you. You and your daughter won't be slaughtered...that is if you even have a daughter.

      And just so you know, I'm of Native American heritage, so I know from injustice. The apparent difference between us is I know better than to wallow in the mire. That was then, this is now, and our enemies have no mercy.

      Just sayin'.....since you asked...

      A. McSp

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    3. Yes Sandy, they certainly did. To this point, the threats have been from without. But now, as others have noted, the threat lies from within. Will it be a peaceful 'revolution'?

      God knows and Time will tell. Pray it isn't necessary.


      Steve Davis
      Anchorage, Alaska

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    4. Heya A. McSp,

      I love our troops. I think you can see that from my post. I've lost men and women to war too, and Memorial Day hits home really hard. Our troops aren't the bad guys - they never are. Those that have died in service to our country did us, those left behind, a great service and a great honor.

      It's the government sending them out to die for causes the people don't necessarily support - that's what makes me angry. And it makes me angry that the merest suggestion of a lack of support, even if that lack of support is for the government behind the troops, not of the troops themselves, is considered dissenting. That's exactly the point. The troops aren't the bad guys - they are the good guys.

      And to Unknown, thank you. You are right - they fight for freedom and against tyranny "wherever that may be". That's an outstanding point - they may not die for my freedom, but they did die for someone else's.

      May them all come home safely.

      ~ Sandy Taylor

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  6. Phyllis (N/W Jersey)May 28, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Good post, Patrice! May no one ever forget the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. We are so proud of them!

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  7. returning vets face tough questions our free TALK WITH THE LORD program inspires daily talks catch they need your help with first question our blog bhelps g hubbard po box 2232 ponte vedra fl 32004 http://talkwiththelord.blogspot.com/

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  8. Thank you for posting this. It is so true.

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  9. Trick question. Freedom has been deteriorating ever since the Revolutionary war. You think we are as free as we were then? If you want to talk about the cost of freedom, why not talk about how freedom is exacted by the minimal intrusion of bureaucracy aka Government?

    If we really had freedom that was brought about by military might then why do our freedoms seem to be getting stripped apart by government legislation.For example the food safety modernization act which would effectively ban small scale food production, or NDAA which would allow indefinite detention without trial or evidence?

    Veterans should be held in high regard for the bullshit they've gone through, but lets not confuse the threat of invasion with the threat of totalitarianism.

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    1. I agree Greltam, we are NOT as free as we could be or should be. But when we point at the politicians as the ones robbing us, we have three fingers pointing back at us.

      We elected them, repeatedly, often over decades(!) not for what freedoms they give us but for what they can snatch for us at the public trough. After all, freedom demands personal responsibility. It is so much easier to sit on the wagon and let others pull the load.

      If we were unified in our demands for freedom and smaller government bureaucracy, then the politicians, being interested in their own survival, would acquiesce. Instead, we are divided and the political class expertly plays us against one another.

      What you seem to be suggesting is a military coup! Who knows - it may come to that....


      Steve Davis
      Anchorage, Alaska

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    2. I'm hitting the 'LIKE' button about a zillion times for this comment.

      A. McSp

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  10. I'd like to think all the people in that picture DID stand when they saw the old man get out of his chair. Sometimes all we need is a good example to follow to knock some sense into us.

    I've never let a Color Guard go by without standing. And, even if I'm the first one, I'm usually not the only one.

    Just Me

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  11. "And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also." Luke 6:29

    "Thou shalt not kill." Exodus 20:13

    It is not "Thou shalt not kill unless you are American soldier."

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    1. Your Biblical illiteracy is on display here for all to see.

      Nice try, but Jesus kept the Law and told His Disciples to do the same.

      The law says Thou Shall Do No Murder.

      Satan is a great Scripture Lawyer.

      Not all of us buy his fried ice cream the way you clearly have.

      I sure hope I never find myself faced with a need to turn you and yours away in a bleep hits the fan scenario. I'd do it in a heartbeat, because you're batting for the wrong team and would be a dangerous liability to have around.

      A. McSp

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  12. “Naturally the common people don’t want war. But after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it’s always a
    simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.
    Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are
    being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.”

    Source: http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/235519.html

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  13. We are coming up on Veterans Day, and as the wife of a U.S. Army retired veteran. We thank you for honoring those who did not come back and those who came back, but will need support in many ways.
    Veterans appreciate your acknowledging their gift to keep you free. Please remember they gave up so much for our freedoms, do not waste those freedoms. They are a gift of love, blood, sweat and yes, tears.

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