Rules for the Non-Military....

[Craig]

Rules for the Non Military

Dear Civilians, 'We know that the current state of affairs in our great nation has many civilians up in arms and excited to join the military. For those of you who can't join, you can still lend a hand. Here are a few of the areas where you can be of assistance:

1. The next time you see an adult talking (or wearing a hat) during the playing of the National Anthem---kick their @ss.

2. When you witness, firsthand, someone burning the American Flag in protest---kick their @ss.

3. Regardless of the rank they held while they served, pay the highest amount of respect to all veterans. If you see anyone doing otherwise, quietly pull them aside and explain how these veterans fought for the very freedom they bask in every second. Enlighten them on the many sacrifices these veterans made to make this Nation great. Then hold them down while a disabled veteran kicks their @ss.

4.  If you were never in the military, DO NOT pretend that you were. Wearing battle dress uniforms (BDUs) or Jungle Fatigues, telling others that you used to be 'Special Forces,' and collecting GI Joe memorabilia, might have been okay when you were seven years old. Now, it will only make you look stupid and will get your @ss kicked.

5. Next time you come across an Air Force member, do not ask them, 'Do you fly a jet?'  Not everyone in the Air Force is a pilot. Such ignorance deserves a good @ss-kicking (children are exempt).

6. If you witness someone calling the US Coast Guard 'non-military', inform them of their mistake---and kick their @ss.

7. Next time Old Glory (the US flag) prances by during a parade, get on your darn feet and pay homage to her by placing your hand over your heart. Quietly thank the military member or veteran lucky enough to be carrying her---of course, failure to do either of those could earn you a severe @ss-kicking.

8. Don't try to discuss politics with a military member or a veteran. We are Americans, and we all bleed the same, regardless of our party affiliation. Our Chain of Command is to include our Commander-In-Chief (CinC). The President (for those who didn't know) is our CinC regardless of political party. We have no inside track on what happens inside those big important buildings where all those representatives meet. All we know is that when those civilian representatives screw up the situation, they call upon the military to go straighten it out. If you keep asking us the same stupid questions repeatedly, you will get your @ss kicked!

9. 'Your mama wears combat boots' never made sense to me---stop saying it! If she did, she would most likely be a vet and therefore, could kick your @ss!

10. Bin Laden and the Taliban are not Communists, so stop saying 'Let's go kill those Commies!' And stop asking us where he is! Crystal balls are not standard issue in the military. That reminds me---if you see anyone calling those darned psychic phone numbers, let me know, so I can go kick their @ss!

11. 'Flyboy' (Air Force), 'Jarhead' (Marines), 'Grunt' (Army), 'Squid' or ‘Bee’ (Navy), 'Puddle Jumpers' (Coast Guard), etc., are terms of endearment we use describing each other. Unless you are a service member or vet, you have not earned the right to use them. That could get your @ss kicked.

12. Last, but not least, whether or not you become a member of the military, support our troops and their families. Every Thanksgiving and religious holiday that you enjoy with family and friends, please remember that there are literally thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen far from home wishing they could be with their families. Thank God for our military and the sacrifices they make every day. Without them, our country would get its @ss kicked.'

'It is the Veteran, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

'It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

'It is the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.'

'If you can read this, thank a teacher' If you are reading it in English, thank a Veteran '

I will add one more:

13. If you ever see anyone either standing for or singing the national anthem in Spanish or any other foreign language, KICK THEIR @ss.

(Please pass this on so I won't have to kick your @ss!) :-)

[judy r]

AMEN CRAIG

[Anti M]

I've seen this before, it annoys me. I served to preserve America, the Great Melting Pot made up of ... oh, immigrants.  I'm Danish, Scottish, Irish, English with a little Prussian and French thrown in.  

Freedom of speech too, and you know what? I taught ESL.  I know how difficult it is for older folks to learn a new language.  I know how difficult it is for kids to learn two languages, much less catch their spoken language up to academic standards. How hard it is to find affordable language classes.  My husband's grandmother spoke only Pennsylvanian Dutch, couldn't learn English to save her life.

America is the only country not to encourage our citizens to speak a second language.  English is mandatory in Japan and several other countries. Why are we so close-minded? Being bi-lingual is admirable anywhere but America.  

I have tried to learn enough of whatever language of whatever country I was in to get by, but certainly could never hope to be fluent.  Twelve years in Japan and I sure never approached any kind of ability with the language.  I even took classes.  Japanese, French, Spanish,Russian,  Farsi and Arabic, I've studied them all.  I get how hard it is to learn a new language.  

 

So, yeah, be proud ... but I'm proud of ALL Americans who are hard working and contribute to our society. Even when I disagree with them.

[Anti M]

... Ah, missed the edit window.  I meant America is the only advanced nation not to encourage learning of a second language.

[Craig]

I'm not sure about your state, but in Colorado it's required you have two years of a foreign language to attend a higher education institution.  In fact, they added American Sign Language and make it fall into the foreign language rules.  Even if you have no plans on going to college,  for highschool graduation, most (like 90%) of the school have it a requirement to earn your highschool diploma.

 

I bet if you check with the other states, I bet a majority has the same requirement, and encourage people to take them if they want to attend college.

http://highered.colorado.gov/Publications/Policies/Current/i-partu.pdf

[Craig]

Anti M - There is a big difference if you just came to this country visiting.  If you want to become a part of our great country and become a citizen, then you need to learn the language and follow the law.   The law says:

• Be able to read, write, and speak English and have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics).

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac8924...

Yes, they have exceptions, for children, people over 65, and people that have mental problem.  However, the rest need to get with the program and follow the law that was decided on by alot more smarter people than me.

 

 Why would you want to be a citizen of this country if you don't want to learn about it, or what it's all about?  Does it tick you off when you're at a football game, or any other place where our national athem is played, only to see the person in front of you sitting on their @ss?  It does me.  I challenge them when it appears they have the ability to stand (let say they just came back from getting a hotdog).  When they say "This isn't my country, it's yours".  Boy does that fire me up.  Then if your not visiting, then get you @ss back to you own country. 

Beleive me, if I was in their country, I would make it a point to stand up, and respect their flag and I would mine.

 

It's funny how how these people that don't want to learn our language, will yet will think it's "their right" to have a drivers license.  Would you want your child to be walking in a school loading zone, and having some one speeding through at 50mph and killing a child, then going to court saying "I don't know English, so I'm not responciple for my actions".   

If you’ve studied the language and have successfully held conversations with English-speaking citizens, then you’ve probably learned enough English to pass the citizenship test, which includes our national anthem. You don’t have to use five-dollar words or know the definition of platitudinous.

I love a good debate.....

[Anti M]

Most native born Americans can't pass the citizen test. Quick, name the speaker of the House.  Or recite the Bill of Rights.  You and I may be able to, but plenty of Americans are just plain ignorant of their own history.  Trust me, I taught history, and I am amazed at how many adults think our Founding Fathers worked to eliminate slavery.   I find the level of education in American schools to be abyssal.  (sorry about the $5 word, LOL)

 

The driver's license test argument is pure bull, because I know plenty of Americans who have driver's licenses in countries where they can't speak the language.  Understanding traffic signs is pretty damn easy universally.  Most countries in Europe let Americans drive if their license is valid in the US.  The signs aren't that much different if you've ever driven internationally.  Heck, hubby drove in Mexico just last year, and Spain the year before that, and in Japan for years, and Thailand  .. and well, I don't buy the language thing about that.  Bad drivers know no boundaries.

 

I do agree that everyone who can stand should be on their feet for the National Anthem.  Hand over the heart, preferably.  And take your damn hat off and put down your damn cellphone.  Funny but true, we sailors would be certain to be indoors for colors in Yokosuka, because saluting through two national anthems took forever.  I used to take the dependent wives to task for walking away after ours had finished and the Japanese one had begun.

 

Anyway, still glad we're both Americans and able to conduct our debate as we choose.  Never doubt I'm as proud of my country as anyone, I'm just easily irritated by sentiments which fit on bumperstickers.  I tend to see all people as individuals who may have stories we just don't understand until we talk to them, and listen.  This would be much more fun over beers though, we have more in common than we do as differences.

[Anti M]

Oh, I'd add #14. Get off your ass and vote. We gave you that right, you'd better go exercise it. No lame excuses.

(I'm just not the ass kicking type, but I will nag you to bits.)

[Craig]

Bravo for #14....  Totally agree....