I sort of felt ashamed, and didn't really want to be ...

[MikeK]

I sort of felt ashamed, and didn't really want to be associated with being an American.
Berns Rothchild

And I'm ashamed that Berns is an American.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&c ... &printer=1

[Mills75]

isn't it funny that all the ones who claim to be compassionate and always cry unity are the very ones who wear bracelets to divide a nation by of all things colors red and blue?To me she isn't an American Mike it's cool to show your support for who you support but not cool at all to say you're ashamed to be an American or seek to divide people.She is displaying all the charateristics of a non American anyhow so it fits she doesn't feel like one.She shouldn't cause she isn't and shouldn't be allowed to be after you utter such a thing.She and her bracelets should get a one way ticket to a Taliban government and then we'll see how she feels about America.I hate people who take a wiz on all the blood of men who died to give them the rights they take for granted and criticize.I detest this sort of thing and it makes me sick to see we have such ignorant people.Maybe she should tell the mothers of the dead American soldiers how she feels about America that would make them feel wonderful for the blood of their sons for such ingrates..Oh i'm done it just really makes me sick..

Jeff

[MikeK]

I think it's OK to say you hate President Bush, despise President Clinton or even say that Jimmy Carter is a self promoting boob. That's politics. But to say you're ashamed to be an American is something else.

[Mills75]

I agree i am a republican but first and foremost an american i support Bush but if kerry and I mean this happened to win then my full support would have been with him if he won.I think it's disgusting for that woman to say she is ashamed to be an american.we may disagree and have sides of aisles with different views that get heated and passionate sometimes but at the end of the day we all stay americans with no aisles to seperate that.when it's politics it's often donkey's and elephants but as Americans we're all eagles together.I think this woman is the other word for a donkey lol..by me saying if Kerry would have won i would support him i mean that. I would support him as president and respect that doesn't mean we have to agree always with what they do and can't voice that but at the end of the day we remain proud Americans together..
that statement by this woman is shameful..in the old days she would have been tarred and feathered i would think to bad we don't still do that lol..

Jeff

[Deep Sea]

She is downright shameful and her treasonous words are aiding and abetting the enemy during wartime.

Donations for a one-way flight to another country and for citizenship processing fees of that country are in order for this red yellow and blue babe. Or maybe the business proceeds from her and her dad's bracelets can fund such. If she doesn't want in then just maybe she should be helped - out.

Reads as if that report is an advertising scheme. Who sponsors that rag, anyway?

[IJ]

"Her treasonous words are aiding and abetting the enemy during wartime."

Welcome to indefinite, perpetual war, folks... the war on terror, of which the war in Iraq is ostensibly a subset, has no end in sight, has an ill defined foe, and may continue for decades in the absence of any real attacks. And we're to suspend the freedom of speech while we're "at war?" Sounds like 1984 to me.

"Tarred and feathered i would think to bad we don't still do that lol.. "

Many people don't know the practice used HOT tar and resulted in severe and sometimes fatal burns. As cruel and unusual punishment, it is one of the things that PROMPTED the creation of America as an antidote. (I know this wasn't a serious proposal, but unpupular mumblings are more american than draconian punishments).

"Isn't it funny that all the ones who claim to be compassionate and always cry unity are the very ones who wear bracelets to divide a nation by of all things colors red and blue?"

I dunno, there's a lot of this on both sides. This lady isn't exactly part of the mainstream left or typical for a "blue state." On the other side, some of the "compassionate conservatives," have looked at this second, rather close election as a mandate to charge ahead victoriously with some of the divisive campaign issues rather than a time to heal wounds and reach compromises. I feel certain that some of those who oppose any ill word of the president or military operations during times of conflict wouldn't have hesitated to heap criticism on Kerry--because they already did it to Clinton.

I'd say ignore this woman. We're giving her a lot of press by saying anything about her, and she isn't worth getting worked up over.

[Panther]

Welcome to indefinite, perpetual war, folks... the war on terror, of which the war in Iraq is ostensibly a subset, has no end in sight, has an ill defined foe, and may continue for decades in the absence of any real attacks. And we're to suspend the freedom of speech while we're "at war?" Sounds like 1984 to me.

Even for folks who believe in "The War on Terror", many of the things that have been passed into law are... well... disturbing. The "PATRIOT" act, the numerous laws/regulations surrounding the way folks are treated while traveling, the continued attempts at codifying a national ID card (and the back-door, end-run around any opposition by mandating "uniform guidelines for State driver's licenses"), preventing people from criticizing incumbents within 60 days of an election (news media exempted of course)... I know that it is hard to believe for some folks on the forums, but the truth is that I don't agree with many (if not most) of these new laws/regulations/measures. They go against the things that make us... well... "Americans". It is interesting to note that while Clinton was in office, a very large segment of the population spent considerable energy to prevent or mitigate (sometimes successfully, sometimes not) his support and plans for stomping on our Rights, BUT since the election from the other party and the subsequent War, those folks have stood by while many of the same measures that they fought against under Clinton have been passed into law!

I dunno, there's a lot of this on both sides. This lady isn't exactly part of the mainstream left or typical for a "blue state." On the other side, some of the "compassionate conservatives," have looked at this second, rather close election as a mandate to charge ahead victoriously with some of the divisive campaign issues rather than a time to heal wounds and reach compromises. I feel certain that some of those who oppose any ill word of the president or military operations during times of conflict wouldn't have hesitated to heap criticism on Kerry--because they already did it to Clinton.

IMNSHO, the history of those valid criticisms during the Clinton adminstration and now the tacit approval during the Bush admistration for similar laws/proposals/regulations bears creedence to your observation. The only thing I would disagree with in this paragraph is the "need" for calling it a "rather close" election. More people voted for Bush than for Clinton in either of his wins... and Bush actually won with a greater margin than Kennedy in 60. I just think we need to get away from that and to the real issues you already mentioned.

Also, I have to point out that LONG before these "bracelet" schemes, there were folks (on BOTH sides) that had similar items in the form of T-shirts, Caps, Buttons, etc. I know of "blue" ones that read "Don't blame me, I live in a Blue State" and "red" ones that read "Proud to be from a Red State". Yes, it keeps the divisive "wounds" open, but the truth is (again IMNSHO) these are more "money making" than anything else... despite the fact that every single one of the purports to "make a statement" or claims that it was because they were getting "flack" from someone somewhere for/against Bush (depending on which side you listen to)... Regardless, there seems to be a lot of money wasted on these unnecessary trinkets.

I'd say ignore this woman. We're giving her a lot of press by saying anything about her, and she isn't worth getting worked up over.

Now... That's the best advice of all. Most times, these folks just aren't worth the time and effort it takes to get upset over them. I'd disagree if she was working to stomp on Freedom or force an agenda on folks with phoney statistics or something, but... You know... There are blue anodized bracelets that you can buy and wear that have a POW/MIA name & info on them. I have a friend and she wears one for her uncle who never came back from VietNam. Now someone might just assume that she's against Bush, but that's not what it is at all.

Folks, sometimes Dr. Ian knows best... this just isn't worth the rise in your BP or getting upset over.

Take care and be good to each other... Red, Blue, White, Green, Yellow, Brown, Purple, Black, Grey, Orange, Plaid or whatever color you wish to identify with.

[Mills75]

I agree she isn't worth it after a period to step back and think about it in a logical sense and not emotional.yes she is shameful for the remarks but yes i believe it's all about the money with the bracelets too.I like so many of you have voiced just now do not understand why a story like this evens makes it to print anywhere truly.and forget politics they ****** and are twisted by every side and every party I just don't like to see anti American sentiment in print from so called fellow Americans like Berns.honestly I voted Bush but i don't agree with alot of moves he made or makes.I don't agree with Kerry or alot of what he wanted but there was really no other choice that would have suited me best so i made the one i was least worried about.Bottomline I think is in my belief all politics stink to high heaven but leave America alone lol..you're right she isn't worth the time..

Jeff

[Panther]

I just don't like to see anti American sentiment in print from so called fellow Americans like Berns.

More than anything else, I think that's what bothers so many of us so much about these types of attitudes. We have different views on many different things, but in the end, either you're an American or you're not. If you don't like it so much that you say things about leaving because of who's in office THIS time or because someone said or did something you don't agree with, then... LEAVE and don't let the proverbial door hit you in @$$! That's what ticked off a lot of folks about the hollywood, entertainment and media folks. It went beyond just disagreeing or campaigning for or against something or someone. So many of them took the position that THEY were right in their views and no other view should even remotely be considered... and if the other side WAS considered, well... They'd just take their ball and leave the country... Pfffft! AND... That's why so many folks have said, "OK, puhleeze... leave now." Sure, we all disagree, but here, on THIS forum, we TRY to be civil about and listen to the thoughts and opinions of each other. It doesn't always work out that way and there have been folks (regardless of what some people may think) both "blue" AND "red" who've been told one way or another, "don't bother coming here anymore, we don't play like that." But when Clinton was in office the hollywood, entertainment, and media folks basically wouldn't listen to anyone saying anything against him UNTIL it was made into a big deal and had to be blown way out of proportion sometimes. Most of those folks basically treated anyone who criticized Clinton with a "Nyah, Nyah, Na, Nyah, Nyah" attitude. However now that Bush has won, the outcry is for "reconciliation" and "appeasing" and "inclusion" and the accusations of divisiveness abound. And then... in the middle of all that... who are the ones that keep throwing the "divisive" bombs by doing things like making "blue" bracelets? On the other hand, it seems that anyone who is unapologetically pro-Bush speaks up, they get slammed.

I've watched it on almost a weekly basis on the Sunday AM "slam-Bush" fests. I DO remember 6-7-10-11 years ago when those same Sunday morning talking heads did their damnedest to lob softballs so that someone like James Carville or Hillary could talk about the "Ultra-Right Wing Conspiracy". I make no bones about the fact that I couldn't stand Clinton. But I gave him the respect of the office UNTIL HE showed that he had no respect for the office. I didn't care for Bush I, and I've had one thing or another that I've disagreed with from every President since I was old enough to actually follow, understand, and know about politics... (Starting with Johnson... I wasn't old enough to understand OR care about it before that.) Historically, looking back, I can honestly say that the one thing I've realized about the Presidents of this country is that they were all human, all had their flaws, and all had things that were debateably good and bad about their policies and actions in office.

Enough already... this is the guy and the government we have for the next four years, make the most of it and think about how it can be better next time... no matter which party (Vote Libertarian!) gets in...

Take care and be good to each other...

[cxt]

Please notice that the folks are SELLING them.

What could be more good-ole-capitalistic-American then spinning an charged issue into raking in some cash for yourself??

(sounds pretty much to me like what the rest of the world sterotypes as "American")

Notice that the very person that is "ashamed to be an American" does not seem to be "shamed" ENOUGH for her not to make a little green off the situation.

Also funny that the very folks that cry the loudest--the young lady is a perfect example--about the country being less than togather on certian issues, do everything that they can to KEEP US APART.

America is deeply divided on certian issues--HEY I HAVE A GREAT IDEA TO START THE HEALING--LETS SELL ARMBANDS--

(an idea stolen from a very noble cause that benefits little or nothing $$$$$$ to Armstrong--perhaps the folks that STOLE the idea are going to be as generous???? "some of the money" what does that mean?)

--THAT LOUDLY PROCLAIM OUR POLITICAL GROUP--THAT WILL HELP!!!

Sheesh, and the Left "really" wonder why they lost the election??

[Bill Glasheen]

What comes to mind is a bumper sticker I saw on the back of a car in 1993. It read...

Bush lost. Get over it!

This was George HW Bush of course... At the time, I had just voted for Clinton. I thought the bumper sticker was rather funny.

And now that I did NOT vote Democrat in the last election (not saying whom I voted for...) I now wonder what sticker is on the back of that very owner's car. Would said person consider the same bumper sticker - relevant to calendar year 2005 - to be just as clever?

I would...

- Bill

[Gene DeMambro]

[Panther]

As opposed to the type of bumper sticker that Bill was referring to, anyone who knows who Voldemort IS, sees the insult.

Would you be as quick to have the same bumper sticker showing the Democrats support for Voldemort? Somehow I don't think so...

On the other hand, it does show how you feel about anyone that the Republicans would support.

[Bill Glasheen]

I don't think Gene is over it. He's still grieving.

Living in a Harry Potter fantasyland perhaps? Maybe a little chi magic will save the day.

- Bill

[Valkenar]

As for this woman, who cares. People go around waving all sorts of signs, emblems and so forth that I disagree with, but why should I care what they say?

To me, the things I most dislike about Bush are anti-american, or at least orthogonal to the question of "American" as a component of identity. I wouldn't be ashamed to be American because of what Bush does any more than I would be ashamed to be a Muslim (if I were) because of what OBL does.

That said, I think it's somewhat reasonable to establish that your president's unconscionable choices are not one's own. I think the same thing would be legitimate if you had felt strongly about Clinton. If I went to a very religious area, I would not want people thinking Clinton's sexual indiscretions reflect on me. Similarly, while I would never do anything as inane as wearing anti-bush armbands, I would rather people not ascribe Bush's shortcoming to me (I have enough, as is, thank you).

As for the bumper sticker, lighten up, it's a joke.