I love this. My mother was arrested when I was in grade school for washing the American flag in front of the plaza hotel. She explained that she was washing the filth out of the county’s foreign policy (it was the height of Vietnam). She was a true patriot and always told my sisters and I to fly the flag because it belongs to all of us.
I carried the American flag at Portland’s No Kings rally. I carried it as the symbol of our All-American movement, remembering how “they” carried the Confederate Stars & Bars through the Capitol Rotunda on January 6th. And the Nazi Swastika through the streets of Charlottesville. And the “Don’t Tread on Me” coiled snake flag at maga rallies. I say let them have their flags of trump and treason. The American flag belongs to all of us. Democrats, Independents, Republicans. But not to those who would do harm to America or to Americans. At the rally I saw so many signs with terrific messages: “Human Need before Corporate Greed”, "Make America Moral Again”, A Better World is Possible”, "IKEA has Better Cabinets”, “Does This Ass Make My Country Look Smaller?”. By waving the Stars & Stripes — right-side-up — my message was, “We love our country, and this is our flag,” a symbol of resistance and renewal.
Bill, nice writing. I would like permission to use some or all of your comments, with the credit. Or, no credit to you if it is a privacy concern. Thanks.
My Canadian cousin cancelled a 10 day visit and tour. this year. Total was $16,000 for hotel , air, car rental, food, theater…….. he is not alone.
He despairs as much as the 300 million embarrassed intelligent citizens and the purposeful destruction of our economy, government, and global partners by a fascist wanna-be dictator.
If The bb bill is passed by the Senate you can expect bankruptcy of the US, massive disruption by benefit cuts, and crushing debt for children, grandchildren and higher inflation now.
Cut off head of the snake now! Or, accept catastrophe.
Bill, thank you! One correction in your reply. “They “ marched the Nazi swastika through the streets of Charlottesville, VA and not in my city of Charlotte, NC. It’s shameful and disgusting . Our American Flag 🇺🇸 IS the strong symbol of all our country should stand for. Thank you, again.
Thank You Terry!!! Your words here and with Anand Giridharadas earlier are so inspiring and encouraging! I look forward to reading and hearing your thoughts! Many of us are looking for encouragement and brilliant minds as yours and Amands. We are trying to grasp all of these insulting,disrespectful, hateful, unintelligent moves from the current administration. We will be here often!Thanks for being here! 🙏🏼
It must be so liberating for you to be able to honestly share your thoughts in such an important time in history. I am grateful for your honesty. I truly believe that silence is compliance and it is so very important for all of us as a nation, to speak up and take our country back from this current administration. This isn’t about left or right, republican or democratic, it is about what is right and what is wrong. I for one, will speak up and fight till the end to right this ship. It’s too important not to. Thank you, Terry.
Terry, I've always admired your reporting and insightful analysis. But now we will benefit even more from your true voice on the challenges we face. Thank you for not going away quietly!
I think many, like I, were disheartened by what we saw happen here in our youth (I’m 73) and that is why, perhaps, that we eschewed patriotism.
Today, that sense of patriotism is renewed: this is our country and the republic MUST stand. Proudly wave a flag, march, and raise your voice against what Trump and his sycophants are doing to America. We must save it. Thanks, Terry, for the inspiring post.
As a child of the 50s and 60s, those were hard times here. Many of our past injustices came fully into the light; we lived through social turmoil and political assassinations. Yet at the end of the day, we were still trying to make it a better place. We know the promise and the potential and that’s why our spirits are reinvigorated as the possibility of America is threatened.
The Heritage Foundation has its sycophants and agenda in place so they are about done with their puppet. He, as a smokescreen / distraction, has served his purpose.
Well put. Another example: Saul Alinsky, the famous activist and organizer ("radical," in his own words) remarked, "I and my staff associates not only plead guilty to supporting America, but we will go further and gladly admit that we love our country." People like Alinsky and Thomas were not anti-American. Rather, they understood that true patriotism is not a blind allegiance to symbols or slogans ("America First!"), but fighting to create a "more perfect union."
Thank you, Mr. Moran. We all need to take our current situation very seriously. Hopefully impeachment efforts will this time be more successful, or perhaps the 25th amendment, while we still have a constitution.
So glad you’re writing here, Terry. Your thoughtful words should be spread far and wide. I just read that another protest is planned for July 17 (check in case I misread it though). Staying strong to prevent fascism.
I always believed in a Strong Federal Government, and now more than ever. There is a reason why if you ask almost any person from any country, their goal is to land in the United States. What is even Ironic, is people who hate us and hate our way of life, yet will do the impossible to come for America. I have seen it with my own 2 eyes. God Bless the USA.
I appreciate what you are saying, Mark. But it’s simply not true “almost person from any country “ has as their goal to land in America. I am a born and bred American but have lived and worked abroad since the first Bush administration. In all those years, I have met only a few people who have such dreams. Most people are deeply attached to their homes.
My mother was forced from her homeland in WW2. She became an American citizen, never missed a vote, loved this country to the day she died, but missed her home awfully.
No, you're wrong. It's never been that way in true democracies around the world. Most democracies are real, without the flag flying and rabid patriotism and religious fervour that has gotten you where you are today. I don't know anyone who even wants to visit the US now.
I love this. My mother was arrested when I was in grade school for washing the American flag in front of the plaza hotel. She explained that she was washing the filth out of the county’s foreign policy (it was the height of Vietnam). She was a true patriot and always told my sisters and I to fly the flag because it belongs to all of us.
Great story, great legacy. Thanks, Ruth!
Aww, thanks. Excited to have this substack!
My father is rolling in his grave : my “sisters and me”
100%.
I carried the American flag at Portland’s No Kings rally. I carried it as the symbol of our All-American movement, remembering how “they” carried the Confederate Stars & Bars through the Capitol Rotunda on January 6th. And the Nazi Swastika through the streets of Charlottesville. And the “Don’t Tread on Me” coiled snake flag at maga rallies. I say let them have their flags of trump and treason. The American flag belongs to all of us. Democrats, Independents, Republicans. But not to those who would do harm to America or to Americans. At the rally I saw so many signs with terrific messages: “Human Need before Corporate Greed”, "Make America Moral Again”, A Better World is Possible”, "IKEA has Better Cabinets”, “Does This Ass Make My Country Look Smaller?”. By waving the Stars & Stripes — right-side-up — my message was, “We love our country, and this is our flag,” a symbol of resistance and renewal.
Amen, Bill. And to this day the memory of that flag of treason being marched through the halls of Congress still makes my blood boil. Let’s win!
Bill, nice writing. I would like permission to use some or all of your comments, with the credit. Or, no credit to you if it is a privacy concern. Thanks.
Vietnam Veteran, 1969-71.
Thanks for asking. And yes -- you absolutely have my permission. Thanks for your continued service to our country.
My Canadian cousin cancelled a 10 day visit and tour. this year. Total was $16,000 for hotel , air, car rental, food, theater…….. he is not alone.
He despairs as much as the 300 million embarrassed intelligent citizens and the purposeful destruction of our economy, government, and global partners by a fascist wanna-be dictator.
If The bb bill is passed by the Senate you can expect bankruptcy of the US, massive disruption by benefit cuts, and crushing debt for children, grandchildren and higher inflation now.
Cut off head of the snake now! Or, accept catastrophe.
Portnoy, thanks for your service…
So glad you made it back home and are with us in the here and now. 💖
We handed out little flags at our event.
Bill, thank you! One correction in your reply. “They “ marched the Nazi swastika through the streets of Charlottesville, VA and not in my city of Charlotte, NC. It’s shameful and disgusting . Our American Flag 🇺🇸 IS the strong symbol of all our country should stand for. Thank you, again.
Thank you Vicki.
Thank You Terry!!! Your words here and with Anand Giridharadas earlier are so inspiring and encouraging! I look forward to reading and hearing your thoughts! Many of us are looking for encouragement and brilliant minds as yours and Amands. We are trying to grasp all of these insulting,disrespectful, hateful, unintelligent moves from the current administration. We will be here often!Thanks for being here! 🙏🏼
Terry, I’m glad that you mentioned Norman Thomas! Glad to support you! This was an excellent article by the way!
It must be so liberating for you to be able to honestly share your thoughts in such an important time in history. I am grateful for your honesty. I truly believe that silence is compliance and it is so very important for all of us as a nation, to speak up and take our country back from this current administration. This isn’t about left or right, republican or democratic, it is about what is right and what is wrong. I for one, will speak up and fight till the end to right this ship. It’s too important not to. Thank you, Terry.
Thank *you*, Chris. It is liberating. And exhilarating.
Terry, I've always admired your reporting and insightful analysis. But now we will benefit even more from your true voice on the challenges we face. Thank you for not going away quietly!
I think many, like I, were disheartened by what we saw happen here in our youth (I’m 73) and that is why, perhaps, that we eschewed patriotism.
Today, that sense of patriotism is renewed: this is our country and the republic MUST stand. Proudly wave a flag, march, and raise your voice against what Trump and his sycophants are doing to America. We must save it. Thanks, Terry, for the inspiring post.
As a child of the 50s and 60s, those were hard times here. Many of our past injustices came fully into the light; we lived through social turmoil and political assassinations. Yet at the end of the day, we were still trying to make it a better place. We know the promise and the potential and that’s why our spirits are reinvigorated as the possibility of America is threatened.
Amen, Star!
The Heritage Foundation has its sycophants and agenda in place so they are about done with their puppet. He, as a smokescreen / distraction, has served his purpose.
Wow…
Thank you…..excellent writing United We Stand 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Well put. Another example: Saul Alinsky, the famous activist and organizer ("radical," in his own words) remarked, "I and my staff associates not only plead guilty to supporting America, but we will go further and gladly admit that we love our country." People like Alinsky and Thomas were not anti-American. Rather, they understood that true patriotism is not a blind allegiance to symbols or slogans ("America First!"), but fighting to create a "more perfect union."
Absolutely.
Thank you, Mr. Moran. We all need to take our current situation very seriously. Hopefully impeachment efforts will this time be more successful, or perhaps the 25th amendment, while we still have a constitution.
So glad you’re writing here, Terry. Your thoughtful words should be spread far and wide. I just read that another protest is planned for July 17 (check in case I misread it though). Staying strong to prevent fascism.
I always believed in a Strong Federal Government, and now more than ever. There is a reason why if you ask almost any person from any country, their goal is to land in the United States. What is even Ironic, is people who hate us and hate our way of life, yet will do the impossible to come for America. I have seen it with my own 2 eyes. God Bless the USA.
I appreciate what you are saying, Mark. But it’s simply not true “almost person from any country “ has as their goal to land in America. I am a born and bred American but have lived and worked abroad since the first Bush administration. In all those years, I have met only a few people who have such dreams. Most people are deeply attached to their homes.
My mother was forced from her homeland in WW2. She became an American citizen, never missed a vote, loved this country to the day she died, but missed her home awfully.
No, you're wrong. It's never been that way in true democracies around the world. Most democracies are real, without the flag flying and rabid patriotism and religious fervour that has gotten you where you are today. I don't know anyone who even wants to visit the US now.
Great column! Keep fighting and I will too.
The American right has done a very good job of poisoning the citizenry to any notion of socialism, never mind the political suicide of 'communism.'