Today, of all days, is the 30th anniversary of my arrival in the United States.
On this occasion, I would like to rerun a post I wrote just about a year ago on my other blog. Those few of you who read both may feel a bit shortchanged, but I think it bears repeating, if only to see if it rings differently today:
(A sign spotted on the back of a freight truck in Kentucky.)
My USA
Offers comfort and shelter to those who can't find these in their native land
Opens opportunities to those whose lives would otherwise be without hope
Weaves its multicultural heritage into a quilt of many colors
Speaks in many voices and languages
Listens to its people
Fiercely protects the inalienable rights of the individual
Guards individual freedom
Understands that there can be no freedom if the soul is not free
Values freedom above selfish gain
Supports each person in pursuit of his or her own happiness
Gives liberty and justice to all
Upholds the self-evident truths upon which its foundation was built
Trusts its citizens to make independent and informed decisions
Is for the people and by the people
Practices what it preaches
Holds other nations to its own standard, but guards and preserves their sovereignty
Is bountiful, generous and kind
Cherishes its land and natural resources
Provides for its poor
Is compassionate
Is not vengeful
Distinguishes between a threat to our freedom, and a threat to our profits
Does not send its children into harm's way
Values humanity before all other values
Does not destroy lives
Does not replace god
Offers its hand in peace
Stamps out poverty, cruelty and injustice around the world
Is my land, and it is your land
Our USA, where art thou?
My USA
Offers comfort and shelter to those who can't find these in their native land
Opens opportunities to those whose lives would otherwise be without hope
Weaves its multicultural heritage into a quilt of many colors
Speaks in many voices and languages
Listens to its people
Fiercely protects the inalienable rights of the individual
Guards individual freedom
Understands that there can be no freedom if the soul is not free
Values freedom above selfish gain
Supports each person in pursuit of his or her own happiness
Gives liberty and justice to all
Upholds the self-evident truths upon which its foundation was built
Trusts its citizens to make independent and informed decisions
Is for the people and by the people
Practices what it preaches
Holds other nations to its own standard, but guards and preserves their sovereignty
Is bountiful, generous and kind
Cherishes its land and natural resources
Provides for its poor
Is compassionate
Is not vengeful
Distinguishes between a threat to our freedom, and a threat to our profits
Does not send its children into harm's way
Values humanity before all other values
Does not destroy lives
Does not replace god
Offers its hand in peace
Stamps out poverty, cruelty and injustice around the world
Is my land, and it is your land
Our USA, where art thou?
Today is the day my faith in this country is restored. Let's Polka!
Yes, it rings differently - we've found America!
Love the polka-ing Obamas :)
Posted by: letsgorideabike | January 20, 2009 at 10:23 PM