Some Thoughts on What is an American? An American does not believe in oppression, but freedoms as dictated by the Constitution and its just Amendments called the Bill of Rights. Americans believe in equality for their fellow Americans. These liberties were set forth and fought and died for by our Colonial forefathers. An American knows his American history. Americans were not and are not wimps. They sought liberty from oppressors in a land wherein all could be free. Americans - via Constitution and their own history - know how to stand as one. Every American only has rights because the American next to him has the same. What religion or ethnicity were they? Mostly "Christian", but mainly whatever was "on the outs" in the country of their past. Americans do not care as long as theirs is also respected with equity under the law. All Americans, native and otherwise, lived in relative peace for many, many years before the Constitution came to be. Some - who were unjust - caused warfare previous to the Revolution. There is evidence of greed and bloodlust on all sides. Can any claim innocence? Freedoms fought and died for are not soon lost to memory unless those who come after are not taught of the cost it took to obtain them in the beginning. Do you know what the latest generations of American-born citizens have been and are being taught? Do you know why others seek America's shores? Who seeks to dilute or teach otherwise? Is America and its inhabitants perfect? No, there is and always has been imperfection in every country. But nor are we to be stupid, but hold to the ideals that we, as Americans, should always reach for, hold tightly, and pass onto every generation thereafter - and should never be given up - even unto death if need be. Those who came after and enjoyed the fruits of those death-defying labors did not have the same deep memories of many of those who at times lost their families and all things in their quest for liberty and justice under the law. Many lost all, never a family member to stand again upon the soil that their blood stained red. Shall such sacrifice go unanswered? Americans always seek equality and justice under the law in a Republic of separate states as originally set out by the first Americans through a Declaration of Independence and our State's mutually agreed upon Constitution. America was not fought and died for to become a "socialist democracy" filled with its "equity of poor" under the oppressive hand of the "elite few" via heavy taxation, but the "land of the free", equality under the law (Consitution), and opportunity for happiness for all. Freedom of religion and its exercise thereof; the right of the people to assemble peaceably, and to petition elected representative governing officials for redress of grievances; the right to have a well regulated Militia made up of free men, necessary to the security of a free State; the right of "we, the people" to keep and bear Arms to not be infringed; the right to one's own property and possessions and the protection thereof, against unreasonable searches and seizures without just and probable cause; the right to defend oneself against, not suffer double jeopardy, nor be compelled to witness against oneself, deprived of life, liberty, property - without due process of law, nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation - and the accused be given a just and speedy trial with impartiality before all with opportunity of defence by counsel, and the justice according to the rules of Common Law. And the right to representation that stands in their place to legislate, judge, and administer the Law of the land. Every born or naturalized citizen is an American and subject to the jurisdiction thereof and no State shall make or enforce any law that shall abridge that right, privileges, immunities as Americans, nor deprive any American of life, liberty or property to any person despite their color, ethnicity, age, or gender. Americans are never to suffer oppression by any level of government or its members. Americans have a healthy stance of cynacism, question, and do not act like sheep led to the slaughter. For - to the slaughter they shall surely go - if they overly trust those who seek power to all else. Is it right and just to rob from the poor to give to the rich? Is it right and just to allow the privately held properties of others to be devalued and/or voted away for the personal agenda and self-gain of others? (Fascism.) Is it right to be taxed without being fully and truly informed? (Taxation w/o representation.) Is it right to be collectively indebted without knowing the full story as to why? Is it right to not be allowed to speak freely regarding questions that need to be answered? Is it right to use unjust means against private citizens to quell queries into and against smoke and mirror tactics, questionable behavior, decisions, and propaganda? Is it right to make governmental decisions without open and just information beforehand and decisions made without benefit of public meetings? Is it right to refuse an American his right to information needful to protect his own? Is it right to treat citizens as if they have no rights as Americans? Is it just to place burdens on the backs of others so that negligence and mismanagement can be covered up? Is it right to use tax payer's money against honest, hard-working property owners and citizens who are only seeking justice deserved? There have been those among us who are always after their own gain to the loss of all things to everyone else. These are not Americans. They are oppressors. They are "something else" and must be exposed for what they are, and sent out of our land, away from us, and from our freedoms wherein they have misused, trampled within and upon. Will you sit and slumber while all is given away, stamped under other's feet, and taken away - what do you think will be the result thereof? At the moment, it might be the loss to some other, but eventually it will come back to haunt you also. For if oppression is allowed even for one American, then it will be for all - for such is the notoriousness of "case law", corrupt politicians and bureaucrats, and those who pursue power to the detriment of others and self-gain to themselves. If you allow one freedom to disappear, how long before the others follow suit? How long before it happens to you? Will you stand and deliver - as those who have gone before us? Are your freedoms important enough to fight and/or die for? Will your generation see the dissolution of America and its inhabitants - because injustice and oppression has been and is allowed? The time has come. Decide who and what you are. No one else can decide for you - for if they do - then Americans are no more. Something else has came to reside - and far too many have been blind, deaf, and dumb in recognizing it. Whatever it is, its not better than what America is supposed to be. May God bless us all, each and every one. nacs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a private communication. Do not forward or print without permission from author.