Chris Callen, Chief Editor of grass roots magazine Cycle Source and leader of the movement for a “Generational Remake Of The Motorcycle Business”, has a new rant about the lack of patriotism of many of his countrymen. Both of us hope that you readers, either living here in the US or abroad, will comment about patiotism in your own country.
“Cyril my man, I know that your site is an international forum so I will ask those from outside the USA to bear with me for just a minute. I just got back from a trip to Canada for a few days to meet with some business contacts and it was a good excuse to take a ride. During my time there I was literally amazed at these people and their sense of patriotism. Now I’m not sure but I don’t think it was any particular holiday for their country but everywhere I looked I saw the maple leaf flag proudly displayed. This wasn’t just on office or government buildings but on cars, bikes, their homes even their persons carried the pride of their country. I was so taken with this pride that I decided to buy a maple leaf flag to ride back into the USA with, where I had planned to buy an identical American flag to run as well for the final leg.
As I got back to the border towns around Buffalo New York, I was surprised that I could not find an American flag, like the kind that mounts to the window of a car. Now I looked in truck stops, gas stations, convenient stores and even went off the highway to look in department stores all to no avail. Now I did find the occasional flag sticker, flag magnet and plenty of sports team car flags but not a single American flag. Closer to home (Pittsburgh) I started to find small amounts of full size flags and poles for your house, but mostly store managers would simply look at me oddly and say that it was way too early for their flags to come in as this has become a seasonal item. A seasonal item……. I can’t even tell you how hard it was for me to hear how the symbol of our country’s pride and freedom has become an item that is graded on its profit or loss during any particular season.
It’s funny to me how just after 9-11 every home in our country had an American flag in the window but now in my own neighborhood I can only count about 17 out of hundreds of homes. Have we lost our way as Americans? Have we forgotten the price that has been paid or that men and women sit, right now, on foreign soil in the name of protecting our way of life? No wonder why we have become so complacent in other matters of nationality in the US, like our pride in a good hard days work, our right to a just government and a solid manufacturing base. We have sat ideally by and rarely uttered a word as big business and special interest have sold the whole foundation of what our country has been built on, out from under us. We have, in an attempt to become international, a people without a country. I wonder what any of our founding fathers would say today if they could see the conditions we have allowed this great country come to. Would they understand our complacency or would they call for our execution as traitors?
So what does this have to do with motorcycling? Well, only this, I did finally find that American flag to display my pride in this country and I found it a Gatto Harley-Davidson, a dealership near my home. This is part of their regular stock and while it might seem hokey to ride around with an American flag on your bike like you’re in a parade, maybe bikers are the last hope for our country, maybe we’re the only ones who get what freedom really means and the obligation that comes with it. Since many among us have been in the service I suspect this to be true.
Cyril, I have learned a valuable lesson about patriotism through this ordeal, and one that I just wanted to remind your readers from this country and abroad, freedom needs eternal vigilance. So maybe this little rant will have an affect on some of my countrymen, maybe it won’t but until we start to stand up and be proud of who we are, our jobs, our industry, our government and our ideals all slip away from us. Anyone who wants to discuss this with my further is welcome to approach me at any time, you’ll know it’s me, I’ll be the one with the American flag on my bike.” Chris Callen, Cycle Source Magazine.
I know what you mean man. I read this somewhere and I wish I knew where and who the guy that wrote was but It made me think.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete… Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent. Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
In Australia, where I live, you rarely see the national flag on display—except on occasions that reflect national history, such as ANZAC Day. The same applies to New Zealand, where I lived for ten years.
In the UK, where I grew up, the various national flags are seen a little more often. But unfortunately, many of those brandishing them are people of extreme political views—notably the far right—or separatists, or rowdier elements supporting one of the national soccer teams. (I get the impression the situation is similar in France, Cyril?)
For better or worse, most Europeans and people who live in the Oceanic nations have moved on from feeling the need to identify themselves with flags. Maybe the same thing is happening in America, although it obviously hasn’t in Canada.
A City Ordinance Banning the “BIG” American Flag in Raleigh, N.C.? : The most important part is probably this definition from the NCDOA Office of Facility Management. If flags are affixed to, or supported by any metal, wood or plastic posts or other supportive devices constructed of metal, wood or plastic they would not be allowed. Small hand held flags on a wooden or plastic standard 1/8” in diameter & 12” in length would be allowed. Requests for events that will include the color guard as part of the event will be reviewed on a case by case basis. An exception request should be presented in writing and detail the request for review. So if you want to wave a flag in Raleigh, N.C., please make sure it is on a stick no longer than 12″ and only 1/8″ in diameter
Funnily enough I usually go to the the USA on a big ride at least once a year and I am always amazed at number of the stars and strips flying in all manner of places -and the USA always strikes me as one of the most patriotic countries I have ever visited – as often evidenced in the posts on this site – and thats something I admire.
In the UK (and many European countries – France excepted) our sense of national identity (and patriotism towards that identity) is less so – – I think but I am not sure the Union Jack is not legally our national flag, as we are a collection of four countries (England, Scotand, Wales and Northern Ireland) who all have their own flags. If anything since political devolution here you see more patriotism to the individual flags – although in a low key way.
Mind you we have the soccer World Cup coming in the summer and that will bring the flags out like nothing else – hey even the US are there!
ALL I CAN SAY IS ! IF YOU DON’T LOVE THE AMERICAN FLAG,the term IN GOD WE TRUST an last but not least CHRISTmas ! If you don’t like the U S of A , THEN LEAVE AN THEN WHEN YOU FIND THAT PERFECT PLACE BE HAPPY and pack your bags and live there…….
You can believe what you want but don’t PUSH IT ON ME AND TRY TO CHANGE MY WAY OF THINKING. I LOVE THE USA
Patriotism is not dead, don’t let the sometimes hard to find American flag steer you into that illusion.
Being a rather patriotic bunch around here (USA is even part of our shop name) I guess it just seems normal. Flags are common place out front of local restaurants and even our McDonalds restaurant has a very tall & nice one, car lots, public buildings, cemeterys, homes, etc., but if you want one suited to mount on a bike you would likely have to go to a Harley dealer to find one. We don’t have any for sale in the shop, but we have a coffe mug with a bunch of small ones in it to give to kids or anybody else that wants one. Large ones are easily found in the local department stores and hardware stores. Perhaps it is a regional thing and not so much a biker thing, I never gave it that much thought… flags are pretty common here.
I love our nation’s flag but wouldn’t think folks unpatriotic if they don’t display one or sell them in their stores. Perhaps true freedom is not being forced to display one.
It does seem that our enemies have plenty of them lying around to burn… as for me, I have no idea where to find an Afghani or Pakstani flag if I cared to burn one.
We are now living under an administration that promotes white man’s guilt and apologizes to the world for all America has done. Someday it will again be cool to be American.
What are you writing about ?
I live in Ontario, Canada and there is NO WAY in HELL more Canadian flags here
as there are U.S. flags in NY State or Penn State.
This should be a Grass Roots Platform to run against!
Let me get this straight. We’re going to be gifted with a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn’t read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president who also hasn’t read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that’s broke.
What could possibly go wrong?
Boss Hawg
BACK TO CASH AND CARRY WOULD HELP ALSO! AMERICA NEEDS A CANDIDATE WITH THIS PLATFORM!! LET’S WRITE CHRIS CALLEN IN AS A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT IN THE YEAR 2012… THIS WILL BE A GREAT PLATFORM TO START FROM:
(1). Any use of the phrase: ‘Press 1 for English’ is immediately BANNED! English is the official language; speak it or wait outside of our borders until you can.
(2). We will immediately go into a two year isolationist attitude in order to straighten out the greedy big business posture in this country. America will allow NO imports and we’ll do no exports. We will use the ‘Wal-Mart’s policy, ‘If we ain’t got it, you don’t need it.’ We’ll make it here and sell it here!
(3). When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it coming in here.
(4). All retired military personnel will be required to man one of the many observation towers located on the southern border of the United States (six month tour). They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.
(5). Social Security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn’t put nuttin in, you AIN’T gettin nuttin out. Neither the President nor any other politician will be able to touch it.
(6). Welfare. — Checks will be handed out on Fridays, at the end of the 40 hour school week, the successful completion of a urinalysis test for drugs, and passing grades.
(7). Professional Athletes — Steroids? The FIRST time you check positive you’re banned from sports … for life.
(8). Crime — We will adopt the Turkish method, i.e., the first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There is no more ‘life sentences’. If convicted of murder, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for the victim you killed: gun, knife, strangulation, etc.
(9). One export of ours will be allowed: wheat; because the world needs to eat. However, a bushel of wheat will be the EXACT price of a barrel of oil.
(10). All foreign aid, using American taxpayer money, will immediately cease and the saved money will help to pay off the national debt and, ultimately, lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we’ll ask The American People if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision as to whether, or not, it’s a worthy cause.
(11). The Pledge of Allegiance will be said EVERY day at school and every day in CONGRESS.
(12). The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.
My apology is offered if I’ve stepped on anyone’s toes…. Nevertheless…. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Boss Hawg
Hey Paul,
I’m not sure what you see on your trips here but I just wrote this after coming through your country and back into mine. The feelings I got were not from seeing more flags in one country than another it was simply that our patriotism here is starting to be a little watered down. I could not go into a store and buy a flag like I did while I was in Toronto, I was told that it wasn’t the right season, that’s all.
From the comments that I have read above this seems that grey areas about patriotisim is becoming an international trend and that might be fine for other places in the world but NOT HERE. I will not stand by and watch our country replace the flag that represents our way of life with an array of other flags from other nations, this is the United States of America and regardless of our government and how we fell about their policies, this is our country. That’s all I was trying to do here, bring awareness to our pride in the USA like they clearly have in Canada.
C-
Boss Hawg. It’s because of stupid economic ideas like yours that the present administration inherited of an almost bankrupt country. Support Obama, his foreign, economic, social and healthcare policies. Not necessary to elaborate in this blog. It’s not the place and you would not understand.
I love Our Star Spangled Banner, the National Anthem still gives me goosebumps! Even with all it’s flaws, I still love our country! when I see the flag desecrated, I become enraged andwant to inflict bodily harm to whoever takes such action. As a veteran, having been in many armpits of the world, seeing the Stars and Bars always made me realize why I was where I was. I volunteered to serve my country and was willing to lay down my life for her and will do so willingly today. I fly the flag at my home 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Patriotism isn’t dead, it’s live and well! We have fine men and women serving this great country with pride whether they believe in the causes we fight for or not. They willingly volunteer to serve this great nation and put their lives on the line everyday. You may not find the flag flying at every home but rest assured that you don’t have to look very far to find Old Glory flying proudly.
Patriotism is not the display of the flag, it is in the heart of most every American! You are wrong to assume that a persons patriotism is judged by the fact that they may or may not have a flag flying.
Regardless of which entity you worship (God, Buddah, mother nature or whoever) may they bless this nation and keep her strong.
I don’t judge a man’s patriotism based on his ability or desire to display a flag. Patriotism is a belief and a way of life. It goes much deeper than waving the stars and stripes. But let us not be hyprocrites bikers out there: Patriotism also means respecting our president. Honoring Vets on Memorial Day rather than just going on a bike ride or boat ride, drinking beer, and forgetting those who died who gave us that freedom. Not throwing your cigarette butts on the ground, littering. Respecting all citizens no matter race, religion, or sex. It means loving everything your country has to offer, once was, and can become. I fly a flag in my front yard. My neighbor does not. He was in the service. I was not. Who is the bigger patriot?
Boss Hawg,
While I can respect any American’s right to their opinion, yours does raise some obvious flaws in regard to the American ideal.
I assume when you refer to a military manned observation tower at our borders, that you also mean crossing into America without permission is a crime punishable by death immediately with no trial, why else have the towers? I must also assume that your ancestors were not fired upon as they entered America, lest you would never have been born. The desire and ability to come to America to provide a better life for yourself and your family IS the American ideal.
As to your point of government aid being restricted, does that include the blind, mentally challenged, or otherwise imperfect persons? Perhaps they too should be handled by the tower guards.
Sharing our abundant food stores is the most humane thing any human being can do for another. Perhaps the most American thing we do.
I realize you may not have thought your post through, but remarks like yours are silly, childish in fact, and provide insight as to how the world so often does not understand America or its people.
Of course their are abuses in our government assistance programs and they need to be addressed properly and sooner the better, but denying people access and reducing ourselves to isolationism and fear is not only ineffective, but entirely Un-American.
Don’t worry that you have stepped on any toes, as your feet are both safely in your mouth. And if I have stepped on your toes… Good. Maybe it raised your attention that other people share the planet with you, America is not perfect but I love it warts and all. We have a form of advanced citizenship which requires us to do more and share more because we have been blessed with the ability to do so.
Shame of you Boss Hawg. You have certified in writing that you are not a true American. You are probably a member of the tea party born from the fear that right wing republicans use all the time to scare people to reach their only objective, regain power, not serve the country’s best interests.
I travel and have lived in many countries in the world, 10 countries lived in and about 3 times that travelled to. Including living in both USA and Canada in the last 2 years.
US citizens are the most patriotic by far of any nation I have ever seen, always were and still are, I have seen zero signs of that patriotism diminishing.
So I have no idea why or how Chris Callen got the idea that Americans are less patriotic, just reading half the comments on this board would disprove that.
Callen for President, Boss Hoss in charge of Vice ( what ever vice that may be at the time, vices come and go, ya know? )).
After surviving 18 months in country Viet Nam 65-65-part of 67, a patriot I am and will remain so until time to check out.
raycwheeler USA
Waving a flag or not doesn’t prove squat in my book. Ever notice how many of those American flags and flag stickers are made in SE Asia? I don’t fly a flag often, or shop at Walmart ever. Call it a wash?
Hey Racwheeler….Thanks for the support! Big Red 1 here…1st Infantry Division and a Vietnam Era Vet, too!
Don Brands…maybe we here your views in lieu of attacks? Gotta set ? And Dave, shame on you…At least I have the balls to say what I have to say…look me up at a rally and I will give you a real hoot…lmfao.
As for you others knock it off and move on…lighten up some, your posts make it quite common now that you are not avid readers or you would have known that is Bill Cosby”s Platform as spoof! lmfao at all of you now that like to attack without forward reconnaissance and plans to win.
My Hat’s to all the VETS that have served proudly and the rest of you jumping on the band wagon…oh well it does make for good fadder.
Boss Hawgl
This is exactly what I had hoped…… We the people, right? We the people, remember that. There may come a time that you are required to do more than wave a flag and it’s good to see so much enthusiasm in topics that matter. As for where I got the idea that Patriotism is diminishing, I can only tell you this is what I saw on my trip, it’s how it made me feel and so I wrote about it. Thanks for the comments all!
And PS to Woody, I won’t shop in Wal Mart either, nor do I let our magazine be sold there, but that’s a whole other rant! Kudos to you!!!!
Yeah the 3 of ya probably agree with this too don’t ya?
By BEN NUCKOLS, Associated Press Writer Ben Nuckols, Associated Press Writer – Tue Apr 13, 12:17 am ET
YORK, Pa. – Some nights Albert Snyder wakes up at 3 a.m. Other nights he doesn’t sleep at all, tormented by thoughts of the hateful signs carried by a fundamentalist church outside his Marine son’s funeral.
“Thank God for Dead Soldiers.”
“You’re Going to Hell.”
“Semper Fi Fags.”
Hundreds of grieving families have been targeted by the Westboro Baptist Church, which believes military deaths are the work of a wrathful God who punishes the United States for tolerating homosexuality.
Most mourners try to ignore the taunts. But Snyder couldn’t let it go. He became the first to sue the church to halt the demonstrations, and he’s pursued the group farther than anyone else.
Patriots my a$$
Boss Hawg
Chris,
Thanks for your loyalty, enthusiasm, patriotism, and balls! You are the epitomy of a true, red-blooded American. I read your rag cover to cover each month, several times, and enjoy the articles as much as the bikes.
Keep up the great work.
FREEDOM!
Bill
I will probably alienate myself from this site for ever – but this topic is a really interesting one for non-Americans. It always amazes me the comments here (over the years) along the lines of only buy products and goods if they are made in the USA, which I find quite a limited point of view as I very much believe we live in a global economy which must be good for everyone. There are good quality and innovative products made all over the world (and rubbish too) and Americans should embrace that – look at the recent post about the internal brake system for example. So to get back to the point because you love your country and I hope we all do – does not mean that you have to elevate or alienate yourself above others. As I have said before I am a huge fan of the USA, but its a big world so enjoy its diversity.
Ian, it may not translate well, but the “Buy American” thing to many of us is a shorthanded way of referring to the former US mfrs. that have shipped all their mfr. (and US jobs) to SE Asia and other locations to take advantage of cheap labor and then sell it back here. It has nothing to do with an overall feeling of protectionism or superiority or anything like that. Most folks I know are fine with high quality foreign-made products made by various self-designing world-class companies. We simply see no positive points in say, a Rolex made in PRC if it’s still going to be sold as a Rolex.
Hey guys. Since the beginning of this world every entity doing business has tried buying cheap labor, inside or outside its own territory borders. Using slaves, illegal aliens, or manufacturing in foreign countries. In America, the SBA or Small Business Associations has always opposed most of the government actions against undocumented aliens. The reason? Helping (illegally) small businesses to survive and compete by offering them local cheap and silent labor. This is reality. Maybe some of you know some US motorcycle businesses using illegal aliens… These same business owners claim that they defend the American worker. Right!
We have a couple of mantras here in Australia, “LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT” or “FUCK OFF, WE ARE FULL”. A bit more patriotism here would go a long way other than just on our National Day.
Chris I feel Paul thinks that you must have been riding in Vancouver during the Olympics LOL……….. Chris during the Olympics we were patriotic flag wavers like you guys and you guys were like us, go figure.
Chris love your mag and what you in and for the industry and I don’t doubt what you saw. You’re a true patriot and I am glad you liked what you saw up here.
Chris to be honest overall we are no where as patriotic as you guys…….Americans to me at least my buddies in the south are still very patriotic………even at a flat track race in SD they will have their hats off and hands over their hearts during the national anthem, the hand over the heart is something you never see anyone do up here during the national anthem. I am not even sure if many other countries do that, to me that is symbolic of American patriotism.
In metropolitan centers up here this summer during the soccer’s world cup is the only other time i see immigrants from other countries being as patriotic as Americans.
We are still the best 2 countries in the world to live in! Chris that American flag will look a lot better than that PRESS sticker I saw on some bagger u had in Sturgis LOL
Patriotism and politics are two very different things and we would be wise to keep them totally separate, especially for the sake of this discussion. So let’s not let this talk of patriotism deteriorate into an argument of left vs. right. The point is, in America we can have the argument without fear of reprisal from the government for stating our views. And that’s the beauty of it in a nutshell.
As for never again shopping at Walmart? Woody and Chris, I’m with you one hundred percent. It’s a simple case of short term gain (saving a few pennies) for long term loss (the abandonment of US workers’ livelihoods under the deceitful guise of “buying American”.)
Hey guys look at how patriotic this guy looks in this clip compared with the rest of the people in the video. Its a real ??? world out there guys!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU9iCANi02o
Right on Chris!
You’re ecohing what I’ve been saying for years. We must guard our freedoms, and make no mistake about it, they are under attack – today! Cap ‘n Trade is the next shoe to fall if we’re not careful. The overall elitest plan, in my humble opinion, is to tax us to death i.e. run the cost of living up via higher taxes and then re-distribute our wealth, not just around the U.S. in the form of social programs that benefit only a few, but to the rest of the world. “They” (Reid, Pelosi and Co.) want to level the paying field with the rest of the world. Well to hell with that! Too many brave Americans made the ultimate sacrafice for these freedoms and advantages that we enjoy today. We owe a duty to these fallen heros to not let the walls of oppression and socialism desend upon us. To do so would be a terrible sin and dangerous. This country was founded and build upon self-relient “Americans,” an ideal that’s as politicaly incorrect as running a profitable business. There is a lot of blame to go around on both sides as to why we’re in our present situation, but the bigger question remains, what are we going to do about it? Clearly, the current majority in Congress is dangerous – new leadership is a must at the grass roots level. I urge everyone to get involved, the barbarians are at the gate.
Chris,
Well said my brother …. keep up the good work!
Boss,
You are the man! Where can I sign up for a tower? I have a little 300 mag that can reach out and touch someone from great distances!
Blevins, Take a break now! Enough of the touchy feely crap! It is time to get nasty!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Thank God for America even if we don’t all see eye to eye. Glad we can all express our ideas openly without fear of death. I may love a lot we have to offer and hate a lot of what comes out of America, but its America and its my birth place and I’m proud of it.
Reminds me I need to pull out the flag and get it waving in the wind again now that winter is over.
The Producer
America used to be the greatest country in the world, we used to make the best products anywhere and we were proud of it!!!!!!!!! now it is about how cheep we can make it, and then how to get as much as posible out of the crap !!!!! big business has ruined the country and ran us in to the ground . now that they have done that , it is time to sell us off to the hight bidder.. yes bikers of america are proud and belive in what this country was founded on. i for one belive in pride ,and it is time to take this country back from big business ,and put it back in the hands of working class americans, who have been kicked to the curb and taken advantage of for too long.
well put Chris, see you at BMR! and well put Boss!….
oh yea, as far as Woody’s post, you’all Walmarters can kiss Chinas ass-(which is what you are doing anyway by purchasing at said store)
When 9-11 happened, I metioned to anyone who would listen, “Look at all the flags on them forigen cars—–WTF? if you want to be patriotic, buy a Ford.”
I’ve been in many fights at intersections speaking my mind. (never lost one yet)
Boss Hawg, Your post was harsh, but well on track. #8 is a tough one cause people do make mistakes.
Good topic…… the first post is so true of mainstream american and is easy to get caught up in. I agree that patriotism is on the decline and selfism is on the rise. Alot of us don’t relize it or want to admit it. For one bikers tend to be patriotic and great freedom fighters and people who are alike flock together.
Here is the point I would like to make. Think of these subjects and the comments you usually here which I think sums it up.
1. American Pit bull terrier bans in cities across America. People should be outraged but instead they say stuff like oh well I have a german shepard so who cares or they say I have a cat and not a dog so who cares. Bottom line is pets are property and a city government is telling you, a free american what properties you can and can’t have. A law made on emotions instead of facts and information. No matter your point of view, principally it is wrong.
2. Smoking bans in bars, public places and resturaunts. I don’t smoke but the government has absolutely no business whatsoever telling business owners or the private sector that they can’t allow smoking in there businesses….again most peoples attitudes are oh well who cares I don’t smoke. Principally wrong again. People should be outraged.
3.The post above about banning larger flags to be displayed in Raleigh, NC. Are you serious? People in Raleigh and abroad should be livid. How about the 1st amendment?
These are a few that stick out in my mind and I am sure there are plenty more out there.
A few other things. We as people need to be more responsible for our actions and decisions. And I don’t know who said it above but patriotism is a way of life, a way of thinking that should be part of our decision making. Perhaps along with the national anthem we should read our constitution and bill of rights daily and be vigilant at opposing government decisions that are in violation. Too many times, especially in city gov. ordinances or laws are made to grease the squeaky wheel without much thought or opposition.
Alot of people wave the flag during the beginning of a war or after a tradegy which is good but the rest of the time don’t live it.
At last about America and China. Americans are great innovaters. While often China copies. I hate it when I see a small shop owner make an original part and a while later along comes the China Copy for a third of the price. I don’t understand why America tries so hard to give other coutries democracy while importing so much from China which is communist and has no copyright protections. Why do we send so much manufacturing to China when they are the opposite of what we hold dear …Freedom and Capitalism…..
Life is great but sure is a struggle…kind of an uphill battle…dang money
Jeff…Thank you as always…Us real men to eye-to-eye now don’t we! If just half these keyboard commandos only had an inkling to the real life. This is Cyril’s BLOG and Chris’ post so with their blessing I will just stick to illegal Immigrants who by law do not have a right nor a privilege here. To all you spineless pricks and banana peddlers maybe this will open your eyes to a little “factual” education for ya and where your real heart of America jobs go along with your taxes based from 2006:
1) Do immigrants benefit the US economy by performing work no one else will?
Answer: The average immigrant according to the Center for Immigration Studies costs the US taxpayer $55,000.00 over a lifetime in social services over and above what that immigrant earned. Net drain annually for all immigrants is $70 billion to US taxpayers. Bear-Sterns Report shows $301 billion in uncollected IRS taxes from illegal aliens working under the table. U.S. taxpayers make up the difference. Illegal alien labor is not cheap. A few people make millions while American taxpayers subsidize illegal aliens.
2) We are a nation of immigrants. Do newcomers make us stronger?
Answer: Legal immigration with reasonable numbers under 100,000 per year is acceptable. However, when the rate of illegal immigration exceeds the rate of assimilation, it is a recipe for the breakdown of any civilization. Today’s three million illegal aliens are moving in so fast, they are neither assimilating nor speaking America’s language which is English. It creates linguistic and cultural apartheid. Additionally, they create an overloaded population crisis especially in the West where water is our growing crisis. What Americans desire our population to grow by 300 million people just past 2050? Who wants to suffer human overload on resources, land and lowering of quality of life by turning America into another China or India?
3) Don’t immigrants comprise a smaller portion of overall population than ever before?
Answer: Immigrants arriving at 4,000,000 annually overrun school systems and infrastructure. That’s three million illegally and one million legally. They cause the USA to be the third fastest growing population in the world in a time of diminishing natural resources.
4) Immigrants don’t take jobs from Americans; they create jobs don’t they?
Answer: According to Professor Borjas at Harvard, they cost $200 billion annually in lost wages to American workers. They comprise the second largest underground economy in the world costing US taxpayers a loss of $301 billion in income taxes not collected according to Bear-Sterns Report. They depress wages for America’s working poor thus send them into welfare lines which cost more US taxpayers more money for welfare.
5) Immigrants are a big net benefit, paying taxes and contributing more than they cost.
Answer: The average illegal alien head of household uses $2,700.00 more per year in social services than they pay in taxes according to http://www.cis.org. Additionally, one-third to one-half of illegals work off the books and pay no taxes. Over 1.5 million of their children cost taxpayers $7,000.00 annually for schools and billions for medical services.
6) Aren’t immigrants crucial in saving Social Security?
Answer: Immigrants do not make enough per capita to save social security and they break down many other financial systems, schools, hospitals and prisons with horrific costs.
7) Don’t immigrants catch up quickly economically and culturally, blending into society within a generation?
Answer: Today’s illegal aliens are not blending, not melting into society, not speaking English and not assimilating. Rather, they are separating into enclaves and creating apartheid within the USA. As former Colorado Governor Lamm said, “My sixth plan for America’s downfall would include dual citizenship and promote divided loyalties. I would celebrate diversity over unity. I would stress differences rather than similarities. Diverse people worldwide are mostly engaged in hating each other—that is, when they are not killing each other. A diverse, peaceful or stable society is against most historical precedent. People undervalue the unity it takes to keep a nation together.”
8) The US is a big country and has room for lots more people. Can’t the USA sustain unlimited immigration?
Answer: The USA is no longer a big country. Its water resources are stressed, gridlocked cities, severe air pollution, species extinction, global warming from massive use of fossil fuels and overpopulated. If the current rate of immigration continues, the US will double its population to over 600 million by 2065. Our quality of life and standard of living will degrade to that of the Third World.
Remember 911? How about this http://www.21stcenturypaulrevereride.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=342
Courtesy of the 21st Century Paul Revere Ride
what the imagrents MUST REMEMBER THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, NOT mexico ,afarica, cuba OR ANYWHERE ELSE. WE BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN FLAG, GOD , AND CHRISTMAS. PRAYER IN SCHOOLS AND THE PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG .
Don’t try to change us to your old country and thoughts. IF YOUR OLD COUNTRY WAS THAT GOOD THEN WHY DID YOU LEAVE ??? If YOU DON’T LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE THEN LEAVE AND GO BACK TO WHERE EVER YOU CAME FROM.!
IF YOU DO STAY THEN BECOME AMERICAN CITIZENS, PAY YOU TAXES AND VOTE !
AMERICA,, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!!!
I love our flag and our country, and one thing I have seen in the last two years that gets me mad quick is our flag with a picture of Barack Hussein Obama’s face plastered in the middle of our flag. Since when was it ok to desecrate the symbol of our country with that crap?
Boss Hawg & Jeff
Call it touchy-feely if you want, the reality is the fault is in our policies and politicians, not the people who come here seeking a better life.
Everyone in America is frustrated and looking to blame somebody, and if it makes you feel better you can blame it all on me, after all, the last president I voted for (that won) was Reagan!
Remember guys, statements made on the web live forever, and making comments about climbing towers and shooting people doesn’t sound patriotic, it just sounds Oswald crazy.
DB without a doubt I am sure you are patriotic and law abiding as are Jeff and Boss the issue is simple if you enter into the US you go thru legal channels and process if not you are breaking the law and should be prosecuted, if you willing/knowingly hire a law breaker you should be prosecuted. We all are immigrants in most cases but legal is legal. Slamming those amongst us that want to secure our borders is not the best thing for sure, ask the widow of the gentleman rancher that just got blow away on his ranch how she feels about troops or if not patriots on the fence securing the border whilst the lipservice continues.
Dave Blevins…like Jeff said…It is time to get nasty!
Nothing personal, but you are totally off base and obviously in the world of smoke and mirrors, Brother! If we do not fight and sweep the rugs clean at Congress, then America will be in the gutter. I have lived in Guyana, Venezuela, Columbia, Panama and the Caribbean for reasons that you need not know, but most were for the support of my country whereas you & me and all others here legally can live a better quality of life and have a safe place to live the American Dream and raise our children without being in harms way all the while not being forced to watch over our shoulders or worry how someone may be looking us or is my daughter safe to walk 100 yds. from the school bus home.
As for the illegal beaners…focus please…put up a damn fence and gun towers! Put a bounty on them. Let others that believe like Jeff & me man the posts if you truly want to stop the problem, it can be done! If they are caught hand them over to Sheriff Joe in Maricopa County and let sleep in the same tents our troops do, wear pink underwear and eat a bologna sandwich, etc…and then deport their sorry asses to the furthest point south in Mexico. I have been where it works (eastern block countries 35 years ago) and yes lives were lost to fight for America’s welfare and freedom. All it takes is a few lives lost and they will run back with their tails between their legs. Just look at the illegal gangs, drugs, etc…since the cartels have chosen Mexico as their routes of choice…no value for live, either!
Let it be known that my family has been here since the 1200’s. My family has proudly served in many a wartime campaigns, me included, with lives lost, and although I am 55 yrs old, I will stand beside her and fight for her! No ifs ands or buts!
Would you do the same? I think not based on your comments.
Boss Hawg
Dear Cyril..
Thanks for putting up this article and allowing me to express to others some of the issues. Chris as you should klnow by now, I am as Die-Hard Patriotic as one can be.
Some of your comments at me do have a little merit, but others do not and are taken with a grain of salt. No ill feelings towards any immigrants that are here legally (Cyril included…wink wink). But you I will say, you better wake up…That is what my friends tried to do with the 21st Century Paul Rever Ride mentioned above in in these comments.
Nuff said ladies an gentlemen. I must move on to things that do pay the bills. There will be no further responses by me here to the rant.
Boss Hawg!
Dave Blevins,
Please note what Grayhawk has written above … I think he says volumes. Illegal immigration is not the root of all evil in this country but it damn sure is close to the top of the list. We must secure our borders and we must do so now by whatever means necessary. The tax dollars we are draining in support of illegals in this country is astronomical and it must be stopped. Some estimates say that some 20 million people are in this country illegally. If these people want to come to this country then they should go through legal channels to do so, then I will say Welcome to America. Until then they need to get the hell out of this country and go “home”.
Today is TAX DAY and I just had to write my annual contribution check to the IRS ….. needless to say I am less than happy to think that some of my money will go to support these law breaking bastards coming into my country illegially.
Have a good day!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Today Reuben F. Young, abolished Rule 16 because it is Unconstitutional.
According to North Carolina Law, the Rule 16 declares that the American Flag(s) were classified as weapons; but now this rule is abolished and the American Flag(s) affixed to metal, plastic or wooden pole are no longer “classified as weapons”.
John Camp, reporter for WTVD Channel 11 News ABC affiliate in Raleigh, N.C. announced the report of the decision in a Breaking Newscast at 12:00 PM today.
Tax Day Tea Party attendees are now free to display the American Flag as they see fitting.
Reuben F. Young serves as the eleventh Secretary of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.
As CCPS secretary, he serves as the sole representative on the Governor’s Cabinet for the state’s law enforcement and emergency management community.
He also is in charge of the state’s homeland security coordination.
Young was appointed to the position in January of 2009 by Governor Beverly Perdue, first female Democrat Governor of the State of North Carolina.
Immediately prior to his appointment, Young served as chief legal counsel for Governor Michael Easley, who is currently under State of N.C. and Federal Government investigation for laws broken while serving in office as Attorney General and as Governor
Personally I think that many of us Americans take what we have for granted. Many of my friends that have imigrated here in the last 20 years are very patriotic. My friend from Bosnia who is a struggling electrical contractor (in this economy), feels very blessed and proud. He tells a story of stepping over dead bodies on the way to school. When he arrived here in the US by himself at the age of 22. Within 5 years he had his contractor’s license and had already become a US citizen.
It is that type of hustle and appreciation of our country that makes us such a great place to live…..
Thanks to our Vets, our freedom and the good ol’ usa. If you don’t like it….think the grass is greener, get on out……
Mark
I became a US citizen in January 2009 and I had to jump through many hoops to become a citizen. Rather than just take the short cut and learn what questions would be asked of me I preferred to go to night school to learn about American history. Others mostly from Mexico and South of us were taking the same studies but the interesting part was were we all wanting to learn. The issue that grinds me is that the folks that cross the border illegally that get rewarded for their bad behavior in the name of amnesty. I worked so hard and did everything right to become a US citizen yet those folks get offered the easy road. I could stand corrected but I would have thought crossing illegally into the US was a felony. If one has a felony record they are not elegible for citizenship. Reward people for good behavior, not bad behavior.
I also learned about the Boston Tea party and taxes. American’s booted the English out for ripping us off of our taxes. It is no different than what our own fellow Americans in Washington and our stinking liberal state of Calif are doing to us today.
I think Woody touched on it…..the almighty dollar. Our countrymen have shed their blood by the thousands so that we may have a better place to live, all the freedoms necessary to make a “better” life for ourselves, and it worked. We as a society have become so gluttonous and greedy, we have sold our freedoms to the chinese. On a day to day basis, no one cares that the money they saved on their less expensive coffee maker, or their cheaper to run factory in Mexico, which of course helps pad the back pocket are in fact killing our country. These are the same people who scream loudest when gas and materials prices rise due to our weak dollar……we’ve done it to ourselves. Wal-Mart is indeed easy, inexpensive, one stop shopping which is successfully replacing the small business american craftsman, who is working hard to build his dream, with lower cost chinese crap straight out of Wal-Mart.
why are there so many handouts? Girls have random babies to get a bigger check, people with minor injuries milk disability….If your hip is bad, get a job sitting down! NO ONE is over qualified to work at say….a convenience store. Why are we sending handouts to those who were laid off, why cant they fix the roads? maybe a bad hip….maybe they are over-qualified. im not bashing the victims of our fallen economy, Im bashing the fat-cats who dont know what a days work is, and dont want to find out.
Why do we send a guy to jail for killing a dog, and send a rapist back home, or let illegals stay here, living off the tax dollar collected from the working man?
Point is we’ve lost sight of things, Our entire Government is based on the moral values of Christian Beliefs. These are beliefs which are being pushed from our childrens minds by our goverment regulated schools, ever stop to realize everything being taught is based on Darwin’s theory? Did you know that Darwin eventually proved himself wrong and said that by doing so he discredited his own theory? Dis you know that separation of Church and state was set up to keep the goverment from regulating the church, not to segregate the Church from the rest of society? The answers to all these problems are there, if you want to find them.
USMC put it in this order…God, Family, Country, Corps, whats so hard about that?
Blessed is he who gives his life for his neighbor……….and we owe those men our respect, not because your neighbor is doing it, and not because there a parade on main street, but because you know its the right thing.
Just my 2¢, I think it’s amusing how many Americans fly the flag and claim to be patriotic yet sell their country down the river by making most of their purchases from foreign countries.
Sticking a made-in-China replica of Old Glory on your Japanese car doesn’t make you a patriot. Being American means buying American.
Chirs,
I didn’t read all those replies so I am not sure exactly what has been said in each one. I am one of those people that are very proud of my country, I am Canadian and damn proud of it. I run Canada’s Only Chopper Class and last year when we travelled to St Paul Minnesota for the Donnie Smith Chopper Class Challenge, I made sure we had a maple leaf on our shirts, not only to show our pride but to make sure everyone knew where we were from.
I like seeing the American flag when I travel to the states, I like how much patirotism there is there. I like it because I know I have the same for my country.
I do feel very strongly about taking pride in your country and it’s flag.
And Paul?? I see the Canadian flag everywhere, maybe you should hang one outside your house if you don’t see it enough, because then, you could see it everyday.
Thanks Chris, cool post, dude.
Mazz.
I don’t get it. Patriots are everywhere and so are our enemies acting like patriots.
I think Dave Zien has us ALL covered in the flag waiving event.
Just being an American and enjoying your life IS being patriotic.
Most of the world see our films, listen to our music, wear Levi’s or denims. and many lust after hot rods or chopped H-D.s and lust after American women.
How about that polish immigrant who moved hear and changed his name to John Denver- that was an American Story.
The AMD biker build off- mostly an H-D based/derived motorcycle experience- while often won by Europeans and Canadians (finally this last year it was won by Dave Cook from Wisconsin) is really a celebration of American inspired custom motorcycles and American culture.
Electing Obama- whether you like him or not- was a statement to the world that ANYONE can get ahead in America. Which is what being an American IS about.
How about that Hoke Hey event???!!!!! Inspired by the freedom of motorcycling, but through the eyes of a group of Lakota Sioux , an event open to ONLY American air cooled vi twins- a 7000 mile ride from Key West to Homer Alaska- a back road route that will take the riders through 44 Indian Nations- with the winner being awarded $500.000 in gold! -and I heard that Chris is working out getting ready for that ride- the ORIGINAL AMERICANS generating excitement in what is distinctly an American Ride.
It ain’t the flag waiving it is the living the life you want to live.
No need to brag about being an American, I think BEING an American is what is it all about.
GOOD JOB CHRIS..A lot of truth here it seems that since the last election people have given up on being PATRIOTIC ITS NOT IN NOW EVERY PERSON SHOULD READ A LITTLE HISTORY AND LOOK AROUND AND SEE WHATS REALLY GOING ON HERE IN THE USA .We manufacture almost nothing any more and we let the Goverment take control of the BANKING INDUSTRY THE AUTO INDUSTRY HEALTH CARE etc. WE ARE LOSING OUR FREEDOMS AND OUR CONSTITUTION and our borders are over run. We the people need to wake up VOTE THEM OUT BEFORE ITS TO LATE.
Be patriot. Support your President. Support Obama. Our President is doing deep and much needed reforms and it takes a long time to put back on its feet a country destroyed by the right wing Republicans. The tea party is a joke.
Support of your president, regardless of the fact that he is robbing us of our freedoms and destroying the American Dream….that is in no way a patriot………to defend my country against ALL enemies foreign and DOMESTIC is part of the oath taken by our military, who are the real patriots!
I can see the biggest enemy of this country clearly. Only problem is how can we vote them out, when thanks to billions in bribes, we the people have lost our representation in congress.
Anyone hear we’re about to pay billion more in taxes so the obamacare plan can keep the illegals, and dead beat drug dealers, and all those milking the system covered…
Your article is right on! Used to be declared by the president when to fly your flag at half mast. Now I see flags very often at half staff for deaths of someone in that business! We need a strong leader and to bring back the patriotism we had during 9/11
RICHARD you like socialism and Goverment control so much maybe you and all the socialist should go back to say China or Russia and just give all you worked for to some crack head . SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TEA PARTY AND FREEDOM .WE just buried a true American patriot today MONK OWNER OF DIXIE BIKER 20 year vet and supporter of our constitution .I agree with Kevin VOTE THEM OUT…..
Chris Callen ROCKS
Let Chaos Rule
“Chris for Pres”