American Morals
February 2nd, 2005 by Mark
“If you’re still free start running away.” –Bright Eyes – Landlocked Blues
Our idea of morals in this country is entirely fucked up. We need to get our heads out of our asses and get our shit straight. There are a few things that I hold very dear to me and a few things that I think are important for our country and these are the things that define my moral values. Here’s a short list of things that I think should fall under that “moral umbrella” that tend to get left out by politicians, the media, and religious authorities.
First and foremost we must preserve our freedoms. The most sacred of which is the freedom of speech. I really hope that we can spread free speech through the areas of American life that have been lacking it for so long. This includes saying “Fuck” on television and on the radio. I know, I’m a radical. Ha!
Everyone should be entitled to their opinion regarding their own moral values. We can’t go forcing our opinions on other people. Those folks who live in the “red states” aren’t the only people who can have moral values. This post is largely about proving that I have moral values that differ greatly from what the media is describing as morals and that I’m not “immoral”.
I believe that a woman is capable of making her own decision about her womb. This side of the argument can be fought from a moral stand point as well. Pro-choice is all about not forcing your view on others.
I try to treat every person like a fully fledged human being. This involves giving gay men and women the same right to marry that is afforded to straight men and women. It also involves fighting racism and sexism at every opportunity. It’s 2005. We can’t be complacent about something as obviously damaging as racism.
I question my government at every turn. This is for the good of the nation and the health of our government. Dissent is necessary and should be seen as a virtue. Hug a protester today.
My morals include not supporting a war that is unjustified. If you own an SUV and you have slapped one of those “support the troops” magnets on the back, you clearly have your priorities out of whack. First, you can’t both support a war and support the troops that are fighting it since the troops are over their being killed. The only way to support the troops is to call for an end to the war. Also, I don’t understand how you can drive a car that unnecessarily increases our demand on foreign oil and say that you support our troops. Buy a Prius and slap a peace bumper sticker on the back the next time you want to support our troops.
I just wanted to share my thoughts on this. I don’t want this to look like I want everyone to have the same ideas that I have. I just feel left out sometimes when I watch the TV because no one is speaking with my interests at heart. I can’t just wait for my thoughts to scroll across the bottom of the screen on CNN, so I’ve got to post them up here. Feel free to comment with all the reasons why I’m a dick. We support free speech here at markdrago.com.
This is what America is built on.
Playful cops wet protesting youths with water guns? False.
Yes, those officers are angry.
Yes, those dissenters are in pain.
Yes, that’s pepper spray.
And yes, that’s America.
I really should have gone to Canada on the inauguration day.