THE JOY OF BEING AN AMERICAN

The title of this post may sound a bit strange at first until one reads the full content of the writing. Yesterday I celebrated the big 50 and having the day off as well as other activities that were planned for me by family and friends, ( no wild parties as I am not a drinker), I could not focus on a particular subject that I attempted yesterday and posted the reason and that I was taking a day away from my blog because of my birthday. When I returned today and read the comments, (of which I did not expect), I was reminded about one of the joys tht we have as Americans. Three comments were left wishing me a happy birthday, one from MD Conservative, one from Rob and the third from Vern all three regulars. The interesting aspect about this that makes me proud as an American is that MD and I usually agree politically and Rob, Vern and I seldom agree. Yet all three took the opportunity to wish me happy birthday and left very nice comments that are very appreciated. My point is this, while we as Americans may disagree politically and have passionate feelings for or against issues that face the nation that we love because of the wonderful freedoms that we have in the nation, particularly the freedom of speech in this case, we can be political adversaries yet friends at the same time. Though I have never met these three fellow Americans we have had many rather heated discourses over the web yet I still consider them a friend and fellow patriot who share the same love of country and though our passions run different directions have equal concern for the future of this nation. I am reminded of stories that I have heard and read about President Reagan and then Speaker of the House, "Tip, " O'Neill. If ever there were to political adversaries President Reagan and Speaker O'Neill would stand out as two of the most prominent in out history. Yet despite there differences these two Americans regularly met privately as friends because they genuinely liked each other. Though I do not personally know MD, Rob or Vern from what I know about them and the conversations we have had in the comments window I know that I can call each friend. This is one of the aspects that has always made our country great and unfortunately to a great extent is an aspect that seems to have been lost in Washington. The partisan politics have taken on such a personal aspect that it is highly unlikely that many political adversaries are more than acquaintances outside of the Capitol or the White House. This could very well be one of the reasons that so much is not accomplished by either party through the elected officials. The relationship that MD, Rob, Vern and myself have established on the web proves that America still works and though there are differences it is that diversity which in many ways makes this country work. This never means giving up or neglecting our principles or core beliefs in order to compromise or accommodate but it does mean that we must always remember that we are Americans first and political adversaries second and the good of the nation should always be our goal. Not political gain or advantage at the expense of the country or those with whom we disagree regardless of our beliefs or party affiliation. Thanks again to MD, Rob and Vern for their sincere birthday wishes and thank God for America and may we ever be true to our freedoms and liberties never taking them for granted and always remembering the price that was paid to insure that this nation, "shall not perish."

Ken Taylor