America - The Truth Hurts

As quoted from the HBO series - The Newsroom...

Will McAvoy:
 It's not the greatest country in the world, professor, that's my answer.
Moderator: You're saying...
Will McAvoy: Yes.
Moderator: Let's talk about...
Will McAvoy: Fine. Sharon, the NEA is a loser. Yeah, it accounts for a penny out of our paychecks, but he gets to hit you with it anytime he wants. It doesn't cost money, it costs votes. It costs airtime and column inches. You know why people don't like liberals? Because they lose. If liberals are so fuckin' smart, how come they lose so GODDAM ALWAYS! And with a straight face, you're going to tell students that America's so starspangled awesome that we're the only ones in the world who have freedom? Canada has freedom, Japan has freedom, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia, Belgium has freedom. Two hundred seven sovereign states in the world, like 180 of them have freedom. And you... sorority girl. Yeah, just in case you accidentally wander into a voting booth one day, there are some things you should know, and one of them is that there is absolutely no evidence to support the statement that we're the greatest country in the world. We're seventh in literacy, twenty-seventh in math, twenty-second in science, forty-ninth in life expectancy, 178th in infant mortality, third in median household income, number four in labor force, and number four in exports. We lead the world in only three categories: number of incarcerated citizens per capita, number of adults who believe angels are real, and defense spending, where we spend more than the next twenty-six countries combined, twenty-five of whom are allies. None of this is the fault of a 20-year-old college student, but you, nonetheless, are without a doubt, a member of the WORST-period-GENERATION-period-EVER-period, so when you ask what makes us the greatest country in the world, I don't know what the fuck you're talking about? Yosemite? We sure used to be. We stood up for what was right! We fought for moral reasons, we passed and struck down laws for moral reasons. We waged wars on poverty, not poor people. We sacrificed, we cared about our neighbors, we put our money where our mouths were, and we never beat our chest. We built great big things, made ungodly technological advances, explored the universe, cured diseases, and cultivated the world's greatest artists and the world's greatest economy. We reached for the stars, and we acted like men. We aspired to intelligence; we didn't belittle it; it didn't make us feel inferior. We didn't identify ourselves by who we voted for in the last election, and we didn't scare so easy. And we were able to be all these things and do all these things because we were informed. By great men, men who were revered. The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one-America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.
[to moderator]
Will McAvoy: Enough?   


The truth hurts.  I think we all need a little Will McAvoy in our lives!

America - 10 Years After 9-11 - Never Forget

America – 10 Years After 9-11
Melissa Dallago

              You may or may not have been born the day that America was attacked.  If you were born prior to 9/11/01, you will vividly remember that fateful Tuesday.  You will remember where you were when America was so violently attacked.  You will remember how you felt, what you were thinking, whether or not you saw the second plane strike the second World Trade Tower.  You will remember the horror and pain that you felt over the fact 3,000 Americans were needlessly murdered.  You will remember the prayers uttered, and the tears wept for the loss our nation had suffered.  You will remember the heroic measures that the NY Firemen went to to try and rescue people from the towers.  You will remember the haunting calls that were played on the radio as the flight traffic control tried to raise Flight 93 after it had crashed into that lonely Pennsylvania field.  You will remember the fact that the heart of our nation, the Pentagon, was struck by a plane.  You will remember watching the Twin Towers fall bringing the demise of those still trapped inside.  You will remember the pain of watching people fall from the great heights of the towers as they chose to take fate into their own hands.

           You will remember the days after 9/11 and the rescue efforts of those working at the site to try to recover the living and wounded from the wreckage.  You will remember all of the terror, all of the pain, and all of the outrage, but more importantly the pride that you felt in your fellow countrymen as we, as a nation, ran to help the fallen, and their families.  Hopefully you will remember the compassion you felt for your family, friends, and neighbors, and even strangers on the street.  You will remember that we were awoken in the most violent manner possible.   We were angry, emotionally crushed, but our spirit, that American spirit, was not broken, but rose from a horrible tragedy and banded us together as a great nation once more. 

            If you were not born before that fateful day, then I wish you can hope to understand the terror and fear that your elders faced.  But most of all, I hope you understand and take heart to the lessons of pride, unity, strength and courage that we all conveyed both individually and as a nation in the face of a world that was forever changed after that fateful day.  You were born post 9/11.  You were born into a very different world, and 9/11/01 is a date that will live in infamy as a horrible day, but it is also the day that we all showed the world that America has “the Right Stuff.”

            I was born in 1975.  I remember quite well where I was that day.  I remember hearing a breaking news announcement on the radio saying that a plane had just struck one of the towers in the World Trade Center.  I remember running to the television and tuning to the local news channel and watching in horror as the plane's tail hung out of the side of the building and the fire raged.  I remember sitting glued to the TV, and at the time I didn't realize it, but I watched as the second plane struck the second tower.  My mouth gaped open in horror.  I remember hearing the other frantic news saying that another plane had been flown into the Pentagon, and lastly, I remember the news of Flight 93 crashing into the field. 

            I remember having an almost out of body experience that these events were not real, but were a dream.  I remember the tears that fell down my face as I watched the Twin Towers fall in on themselves, and realizing that people had still been inside.  The death count spiraled up as high as an estimate of 7,000 people gone suddenly and so violently.  My heart bleed for those people and for their families.  My heart was broken for the horrible tragedy that our nation had just suffered. 

            I remember crying as they played the national anthem on the radio.  I also remember watching the congressmen gathering on the front steps of the Capitol Building to sing our national anthem.  As I was driving home that evening after work, I remember seeing a man waving the American flag high over his head, and the tears and pride that washed over me at the sight. 

            I also remember the rainbow that I saw shining in the sky after a rain storm, as if God was crying for our torn nation.  As I saw that rainbow, I remember that a small shred of hope was ignited in my beaten heart; that rainbow was God's promise that it would not happen again, and that we would overcome the terror inflicted upon us.  

           We must never forget that day.

American Determined

America Determined

            On September 11, 2001, America was ripped from her slumber.  She rubbed her eyes groggily as she rose from her bed.  She looked around with amazement at the smoke and rubble of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

            A tear streamed down her face as she realized the casualties that had occurred.  She knelt and embraced those who suffered and felt fear.  She offered her eternal love and support for those who lost their lives and those who grieved.  She felt an outpouring of emotion for their sorrow and pain.  Her calm demeanor offered strength and determination in the rescue efforts to save the fallen.

            America had an outpouring of love for her countrymen, but an ember of anger had come alight.  As the smoke cleared, and the terror diminished, America looked around her seeking out the monsters that were behind this evil act.  The ember became a flame, burning ever brighter; that flame became an inferno burning hotter still, seeking justice for the wrong that had been done.  America was determined that whoever had done this would pay the price for murdering the innocent.  She was asleep no more and her memories came flooding back.

            Men paid the ultimate sacrifice during the pangs of her labor, and felt an immense pride as she was born.  America was a fledgling in the beginning, but she had a passion and spirit that rallied many to her cause.  Her fellow citizens supported her and raised her up.  As she took her first tentative steps, she became a bright flame that offered hope to the lost. 

            America reveled in her independence.  Her steps became more confident with each passing year and she held her head higher as she learned her purpose.  America grew older and more experienced and was a fledgling no more.  She soared with the eagles and relished in her might.

            America remembered her battles to protect freedom throughout the world.  She would forever embrace the men who gave their lives while fighting for her cause.  She remembered, with pride, her history of standing for the right in an often chaotic world.  All of these memories washed over her as she recalled her past, and the roads she had traveled on, to reach such lofty values of greatness, compassion, courage, love of country, and pride.  America came to represent true freedom and the wondrous goals that can be reached in such a society.

            The world around America had shifted, sides had changed, and her great cause was once again threatened.  Her ire of the wrongs done was deep.  She would find the villains and bring them to justice.  With calm determination, America took her position and called her citizens to her side.  Together they would fight the good fight and not cease until freedom was properly defended.

            The attack on America was unprovoked on that fateful day five years ago.  That day we rose as a nation to the challenges that were laid down before us.  We must remember where were on that day and reflect on what America signifies to the rest of the world

            As President Bush said to the speech before the Joint Session of Congress on September 20, 2001, “Americans have known surprise attacks, but never before on thousands of civilians.  All of this was brought upon us on a single day – and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack.”  (Bush, George W., Presidential address before Joint Session of Congress, 20 Sep. 2001).

            The war on terrorism began when Osama bin Laden attacked our country.  It continues to this day and will continue for the foreseeable future.  As Bush further stated, “… Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there.  It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated.  America should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen… and we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism… Freedom and fear are at war.  The advance of human freedom – the great achievement of our time now depends on us.  Our nation – this generation – we will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future.  We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage.  We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.”  (Bush, George W., Presidential address before Joint Session of Congress, 20 Sep. 2001).

            We have done amazing things in the past five years since the War on Terror began.  Freedom has been brought to portions of the Middle East that have never tasted it before.  The citizens of Afghanistan and Iraq now have freedom thanks to our efforts.  Our soldiers have sacrificed, but it was not needless or in vain.  The journey is far from over, but that first taste of freedom has laid the foundations for future generations to truly know what it means to live in peace and to experience freedom from fear of terrorists.

            While addressing the United States on November 11, 2001, President Bush said, “We have a chance to write the story of our times, a story of courage defeating cruelty and light overcoming darkness.  This calling is worth any life.”  (Tokipona, We will defend ourselves, 2001).

            We, as Americans, have a duty to ourselves, our neighbors and our country.  We must remember September 11, 2001.  We must remember how we felt; the sorrow and anger, as well as the love, compassion, and support for those around us.  In our darkest, most dire hours, we were proud to be Americans and demonstrated the selfless love and heroism that resides in each and every one of us and makes our country truly great.  We have an opportunity to be the greatest generation of our times. 

      Now is the time to stand.  It is the time to believe in the greater good, and a time to fight for our county    and the values it stands for.  As George Washington once said, “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”  (Benedetto, R.  Bush invokes spirit of George Washinton in plea on Iraq, 8 Jul. 2005).  At this five year anniversary, we must continue to be vigilant of the greatness that makes America determined to finish the tasks laid before us and continue to honor those who lost their lives on that fateful day.  We are Americans and, above all, we should embody and personify the values that make us the greatest country in the world.  We must never forget September 11, 2001.

What America Means to Me...

Star spangled, red and white
Apple pie and amber waves of grain
Mothers and daughters, fathers and sons
Raising families in safety in a nation of might

True unadulterated freedom reaching from sea to shining sea
Trips to the moon, shining cities on the hill
and fireworks blazing through the night

Soldiers protection from the dark
Proud marines on the march
Greatness and brotherly love
Never backing down from a fight

Freedom of speech and due process
A free economy, and ample opportunities
Living with integrity and honor
Having kindness and compassion for others

The realization that we are all Americans
One nation, under God, blessed with wisdom and insight
This is what America means to me!

Happy Birthday to one hell of a great nation!

Perfection

Perfection

Melissa Dallago

As a society we are inundated with images and stereotypes that are presented as being perfect.  Perfect bodies, perfect hair, perfectly behaved children, perfect vacations, perfect jobs, perfect houses, you get the idea.  I believe the images that are presented to us simply lead to unrealistic images of what society defines as being perfect. 

These images of alleged perfection are, in my opinion, fallacies.  The images are taken in by members of society and then compared against their own experiences which can seem to fail to meet the norm.  These individual then feel like failures, when in reality they are the farthest thing from it.  One example of how these images can have devastating effects is with women and the ideal body type.  We, as women, are inundated with images of smooth hair, trim figures, pristine clothing and almost “Barbie” like body types.  Society presents this image as the ideal, as being perfect.  We then compare ourselves to this ideal and find ourselves sorely lacking which can lead to poor self-esteem, eating disorders, and possibly even mental difficulties.  Based on this example, I believe that society’s definition of perfection is unrealistic, unfair, and the cause of many visits to a therapist.

I will freely admit that I fall victim to society’s standards of perfection and when I do my self-image and feelings of self-worth plummet.  I find myself trying to be the perfect daughter, the perfect employee, the perfect girlfriend, and just a perfect person.  The inner dialogue that goes on in my head can be rather comical at times, but usually it is downright nasty.  I firmly believe we are own worst enemies. 

According to the dictionary perfect is defined as “entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings”.  I believe that perfect is how an individual perceives it.  I also prefer the following definition of perfect “exactly fitting the need in a certain situation”.  By this definition, I seek perfection in moments. To me the perfect moment includes:

Looking in the mirror and smiling at myself, fully accepting how I look and feel at the moment.

Seeing my boyfriend’s smile.

Finding a quiet moment during on hectic day to simply catch my breath.

Having a giggle fit with my mother.

Sitting on the couch with a book and a cup of tea.

Petting my cats behind their soft ears.

Watching the first rays of the sun come over the horizon offering a new day full of promise and potential.

Being at peace for one minute and knowing that I am alive and fulfilling a higher purpose.

In conclusion, I think that if we, as a society, stopped running the perfection race against ourselves and each other, and instead turned to seeking a moment that is perfect then we would all be much better off.  After all it is moments, not people that are perfect.