America Strikes Back

[excel]

I received this email tonight.........

Just got home yesterday!! (Thursday night) I have spent 30 hours on the Greyhound bus from Salt Lake City. I was in the air coming from Billings, MT (September 11th) visiting my mom when the attacks happened. I landed in Salt Lake an hour or so after the attacks, and was basically there until Wednesday. Mass confusion, but did not feel helpless or impatient due to what others are feeling at this moment in DC and NYC. Had time to think about others and pray for everyone I knew and did not know.

We have taken for granted that the ones we love will be here tomorrow, we have taken for granted our country and what we represent,
we have taken for granted our police officers, fireman, and our military and what they are doing to protect us, we have forgotten what the word patriot means. We have forgotten the words to our National Anthem, we have forgotten the words to our Pledge of Allegiance. We have fought in courts about the right to burn OUR flag, that represents all people who live here and all people who escape their countries for freedom.

On my bus trip back to Texas, I traveled thru Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico and saw the beauty of our country and the beauty of the people on the bus (all classes I might add). Normally you may not see the suit and ties on a Greyhound bus talking to a lower class of people, I saw us all come together and help whomever was in need. I was amazed at how we all came together and how we all worked together. I won't say that I did not meet a few idiots, I did... but not all have it in them to comprehend what most normal people can during this time.

Since this horrific tragedy, I do believe we now feel the need for changes in our system, in our schools, and for mankind. We need to stop taking for granted what we have here, we do not have to live in Kosovo, Sarajevo, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Africa, India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Japan... we are a great nation not to be divided as these countries have been. We are not fighting for land, we are not fighting for freedom, we are not in Holy wars. We have been at war with ourselves over senseless crap. We have been ignorant about history, about God, about government and what it is doing for us and what it not doing for us. How many people understand our Bill of Rights, our Constitution, our checks and balance, the difference between republic and democracy, how many people understand this system and what it represents?

I have had a lot of time to think about so much and listen to so much... yes what happened in NYC and DC was tragic, perhaps now we will pay attention, perhaps now we will not take for granted what we have in this wonderful country. Perhaps now we won't cry if our burgers are not in our hands as we pull up to the drive thru window, we won't cry if the lights stay red for too long, we won't cry if our television program has been canceled, we won't tie up our courts for frivolous things.

The time to cry is now... and pray that we never have to see this kind of evil again. The time is now for so many changes and not to expect someone else to make them happen. The time is now to understand your government and pay attention to the grass roots, to pay attention and know what and whom you choose to vote for, no matter what party you are with, pay attention and learn to read between the lines of our media and the talking heads. There is truth out there, you just have to pay attention.

Perhaps one wonders why this tradgedy has hit our soil? Perhaps we need to learn more about our history and we don't have to go to far back to understand some of it. Let us start learning more about history instead of Hollywood, and perhaps we can see things a lot clearer. Remember the heroes of yesterday and today, they don't always play sports or sing us songs or act in movies. The true heroes are the ones we will never know their names or see their faces. Heroes who have fought for our country and our cities (police/fireman) no matter what color, religion, or class of people they belonged in. Heroes are your parents, your grand parents, your spouses, your friends, and strangers... they give without expecting any recognition. They do not gloat, they do not want attention, they do it out of love for their loved ones and for their country.

I know I have gotten on a soap box and I could stay here all night... I just had to get it off my chest and hope no one holds my words against me. I speak from my heart and from my head. I speak and know this event will forever change our lives. I am in deep sorrow as most of this Great country is, over what we have been stricken with. This is our greatest challenge and now is the time we must unite no matter what our belief or races are. It is time we act like a country and stop acting like a soap opera.

Today I called my sisters, my brother, my husband and my parents, I am now reaching out to my friends and relatives to let you all know you have and will stay in my prayers. I pray for us all, I pray for this great nation, and most of all I pray for our enemies, I repeat... most of all I pray for our enemies in hiding, the cowards that attacked us while we were sleeping.

If you know of anyone I may have left off this email list please pass along those I know, I did not have everyone's email with me at home and have guessed at most of them.

There are some I know that have donated blood, skin grafts, money, food, and clothing. Just wanted to remind you if ever anyone is need of your help it is at this moment. Please contact the appropriate charities and give what you can.

Please let me know what changes you have felt as well if you feel. I would like to hear them.

God bless us all!

Excel - Greg - Fish On!