Commentary by H.G. Listiak

Monday 3/29/2004

Welcome to My World, where every once in a while I get an email that kind of touches me to the point where I feel compelled to share it with you. Not a manufactured "please forward" letter, but one that seems to come right from the heart or gut. This one comes from Tommy. He writes: I have been a loyal listener for years now, but I heard you say something on the radio just minutes ago that made me want to write to you for the first time. It was your comment about Spain wanting to tuck tail and run after the terrorist attacks. I say "speak on" brother H.G. I'm so sick of people in this country and other countries backing the U.S. when it's convenient for them or going with popular opinion. I know this isn't the first time you've spoken against popular opinion, but thank you for saying that. I may not agree with everything our country has done or every decision our President has made, but damn it, I am an American, and I will stand behind everything we do. The decision to do so is the privilege I have as an American, and the only reason I have that privilege is because our ancestors fought to secure those freedoms for us. If we would have pulled out of every war we were in, like many think we should now, we wouldn't be the super power we are now. People need to realize that the reason we can voice an opinion publicly is because they live in the United States. If they don't like what we are doing to prevent future attacks like 9-11 in the U.S. and other countries, tell them to get the hell out of our country. Let them try to speak out against the government in another country. Tell them to find another country with as many freedoms as we have, as many opportunities as we have, and as much tolerance as we do. If they do, please tell them to contact me and I'll pack my bags. As for now, and forever, I'm proud to be an American and would not trade it for anything. I was born an American, I am proud to live as an American, and I will die as an American with no regrets. My friends, Tommy gets it. I thank him for the email and for visiting My World. And Tommy, I promise to "speak on" brother, as I see it ... I'm H.G. Listiak.