In today’s mad technology filled world, when you speak out or make a stand, you are immediately open to criticism which ranges from hurtful, to illogical to using the buzz words of the day. I have experienced all of these, but I also get another kind which I wish to address with you today.
What additional criticism do I get?
- You’re not American, mind your own business.
- Why should I care what an Irishman thinks?
- What would an Irishman know about America anyway?
When I get these comments, I always want to ask those individuals one simple question – What would you have me do? Let me explain.
If you are walking along the streets and you see a complete stranger stumble or fall, is your first not instinct to help them? When you are leaving a building, do you not hold the door for the person behind you? When you are at home watching TV and ad comes on seeking donations to help kids, or people with illnesses or a wounded veteran, do you not make a donation? Of course you do. The American people are some of the most generous people in the world and it just another reason why your country is the great.
Now put yourself in my shoes
America is not a stranger to me. You are not some stranger stumbling on the street. America is the country I have loved from an early age but it is also the country I have dreamt about calling home and God willing one day soon I will. Your people and history have inspired me every day by proving there really is no limit in life. The history of America is the story of making the impossible, possible. In two hundred and forty short years you have overcome the super-power of the day at your founding to become the super power of the 21st Century. Your people have innovated and created everything from the plane to the car to the internet to electricity.
I am also inspired by your Constitution which made all of the above possible and changed not only man’s relationship with his fellow man but also with their government. It might seem common place and normal for some American’s, but the concept of god given inalienable rights and belief in the individual has not travelled to many other countries.
So if it’s normal to help a complete stranger, WHY is it so wrong that I seek to try serve the country I love?
Being a Follower!!
I could very easily be a follower in life. I could have followed the example set by the vast majority of my Irish family, friends and Church and believe in Utopia and think how wonderful it is to live under Socialism. I could believe in the power of government, speak about unions and promote the “rights” of the working man, pit man against man depending on their wealth and think in terms of the collective. I could have followed the popular route during the last ten years and promoted how America sucks and called your people war-mongers. I could have followed the thousands of Irish people who said screw US Immigration laws and became an illegal alien – heck if I had travelled that path, I would have more rights than the American people currently do. I could have even followed the typical Irish path for religion and stayed a Catholic. Man how different and easier my life would have been if I was only a follower of everyone and everything that surrounded me.
Wide Awake
I really don’t know why I am one of the few awake today. If I ever get to meet my heavenly father I will be very interested in finding out why he picked me to wake up.
After all, there is nothing special about there. I was never the smartest kid in school (was not even close), I don’t have any fancy degrees, am not the greatest speaker, don’t have the best ideas, nor am I easy on the eye.
In fact the only special thing about me is something I cannot take credit for. I am a firm believer in Christ and the Holy Spirit and I firmly believed he touched my heart and mind and told me to question everything and never be a follower.
Apology
I am sorry if this offends anyone, but quite honestly I don’t care. I am not here today to do what’s popular, what’s easy, what another man says I can do or what they feel comfortable with and I sure ain’t here to support politicians or political parties.
I firmly believe we are at a Y axis in the road. I believe there is no middle “safe” moderate road left to travel anymore. We must now choose real liberty and freedom or finally succumb to the Leviathan. Simply put the battle today is liberty or tyranny.
I am not in this for fame, fortune or to be popular or to win. I am in this because it is the right principled thing to do and right now America needs some help. I will link arms with any patriot who is willing to stand for your history, your founding principles, your founding documents including the Declaration of Independence and your people. America has given so much to the world, so this Irishman is going to start paying America back serving any way he can. God Bless.
God bless you, sir! You are more American than those telling you to mind your own business! This American appreciates you and what you say. Please keep it coming!
Thank you so much. I will never stop speaking out for American exceptionalism and I look forward to the day America can once again be proud and stand tall. God Bless you
Sir you make me ashamed. I love America yet here I sit listening, watching and reading the thoughts of patriots like you without a clue as to how I can contribute. I would say that I am not alone. I give money to candidates. I pass along information that I think is truthful not just rhetoric. I “like” and “share”. I know this isn’t enough but I don’t know what is enough.
Thank you for your insight and inspiration
Firstly please DO NOT be ashamed. I believe one of the deficits in our society today is the lack of stories we pass onto our family, friends and community. Its easy to learn the facts and figures of an event like 9/11 but we rarely share the story or emotion. Are there events in your life that you have experienced that you can pass on.
I don’t know what your talent is, but I do know God has a plan for you. Its entirely possible you already are as we all have different roles… but please never ever feel useless. God Bless you
I appreciate anyone that loves this country like I do! Please ignore anyone that is rude and questions your reason for speaking up! I’m one of the few awake Americans I stand with you!
Thank you so much. I have never minded insults but this one is becoming more frequent and had to address it. I stand with you. God Bless.
Thank you for seeing the best of America and the American people even when presented with the lesser of us. For my part, I acknowledge the great blessings God has bestowed upon me by allowing me to be born an American. Yet, sadly many Americans take being an American for granted without realizing the great blessings granted to them. Praying more of us will see the Amercia and American as you do. I also pray you realize your dream of becoming one of us. Though I must admit you are more Amercia than many of my fellow countrymen. I will celebrate with you when at long last you are officially our citizen. Never forget being an American is more about the principles you live by than of that of birth right. And by that measure you are already my countryman. God bless and keep you as you continue to evangelize the true value of Anerica!
Thank you so much for your very kind and humbling words. I am a firm believer that America is great because your people are good. I know it’s easy to look around today and be negative on America today but I also see some incredible bright spots. I will continue to speak out and try share my love of your nation but also inspire others to get involved. The times may be bleak, but America is an idea and that idea won’t end until the last person gives up. God Bless you
Thank you, sir, for reminding us that we’re a little too thin skinned when people say things we think are critical of our country. We’ve all had enough of our president going around the world and apologizing for what he believes the evils this country has done and never recognizing the good it has done. We are so done with him and it’s colored our vision when someone says something we think might be in the same vein. I personally apologize if I have offended you as you might be kin.
I have Irish ancestors on both sides of my family tree.
Never a need to thank me. This is a criticism I had to address publicly as I have no intentions of not speaking. I share your frustrations with this President and have major concerns about the next one. However I am firm believer that America is great because your people are do. I believe we need to have some serious discussions with people and show a real love and inspiration for love and freedom. God Bless you
Only the Lord Conquers the rest is all malarkey. We are allowed as individuals to try to make sense in this world and do what we feel is right. So far most of what I have seen in my years in this life is stupidity confusion violence and evil. There are only a few who have elevated their consciousness to any level of integrity. Christ said “Of the blind lead the blind they will both fall in the ditch”., that pretty much says it all.
I agree with your assessment of the world.. However there are some bright spots in it and we need to showcase them for everyone to see and them become bright spots ourselves. We must reverse the course of hate, evil and darkness with love, goodness and light. God Bless you
Interesting that you recognize the God-given rights that most Americans know they have as you live a world away. Too bad other American citizens don’t realize their own good fortune. You will make a fine American citizen one day. Welcome aboard!!
Irish John, thank you for the fact you care enough to Speak Out. As an Irish American, and proud of it, I remind all that we are all immigrants including the Indians (oops, Native Americans). There are many of us that are fighting daily to restore American to it’s Great roots Founded under God’s Principles and not man’s. Sadly, we have drifted away from what many call “The Middle” that the Middle is now far Leftist and Socialist. Keep it up and God Bless you, your family and Ireland. Taylor