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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!mhuxn!mhuxr!mhuxt!mhuxv!abnji!nyssa
From: nyssa@abnji.UUCP (nyssa of traken)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Re: DIR/NEW
Message-ID: <872@abnji.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 20-Sep-85 12:23:34 EDT
Article-I.D.: abnji.872
Posted: Fri Sep 20 12:23:34 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Sep-85 04:38:30 EDT
References: <495@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Terminus Hospital, Incorporated
Lines: 48

>>Yes, Armstrong, but you do not have to join the Boy Scouts
>>nor are you required to sing "God Bless America".
>>There's the difference.
>>T. C. Wheeler

I never received the posting by Mr. Wheeler, so my answer has been
delayed.

First, I prefer to be called "Mr. Armstrong", "Sir", or just "James"
over "Armstrong".

Where I attended Elementary School the students were never informed
that they had on option on singing "God Bless America", or reciting
the Pledge of Allegiance.  In fact, we were told it is required.  How
many 6 year olds do you know who would question that?

It was amusing in High School listening to a British citizen being told
that he had to pledge allegiance to the United States in order to
take his classes.  (The student did win when the principal realised
the folly involved.)

I joined Cub and Boy Scouts because they looked to be fun; they were
for a while.  Only later in life did I realise how they were part
of our indoctrination process.

I have no qualms about living in the United States, I'm sure it would
be preferable to many (all?  I haven't seen all) alternatives.  Any
changes I'd make to the structure of governmant would be minor
compared to those suggested by some on the net.  (Direct election
of the president, for example, or increasing the importance of the
house vis a vis the senate.)

I do object to those people who are blind to any faults within
this country.  I also object to those people who view the lives
of American citizens above those of anybody else in the world.

This country is the most powerful country in the world.  With that
power comes certain obligations, foremost among these is the
obligation to be responsible and even handed in our dealings in 
the world.

I'd like to see us try that.
-- 
James C. Armstrong, Jnr.	{ihnp4,cbosgd,akgua}!abnji!nyssa

It is a highly directional ultrasonic beam of rock and roll!  It kills!

-who said it, what story?


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