This I Know...We Live in the Greatest Country in the World!

Here we go…another non-paranormal blog because of circumstances we are dealing with as a country. I know I promised to return to our regularly scheduled programming this week. I know I vowed to get back to the “World of the Weird.” But I can’t. Not yet. Because the storm that has fallen upon us the last few weeks is it’s own force, an impetus that begs us to stop and evaluate just what is important in this life.

In fact, I can give you 13 reasons why this post is so important. And at the conclusion, I will.

People. All people. Black or white, foreign or domestic, it’s the people of this world that matter. Here is a truth bomb for you…somedays I wish we could return to September 12, 2001. Because in that month, in the days after that horrific attack that changed our perception of security, in that year of fear and grief and uncertainty, we were united. United in our stories of survival, our tales of tragedies and miracles, our vow to stand together.

We helped neighbors and fed communities and banded together. Because, in the end, we are Americans. And living in the land of the free and home of the brave comes with responsibilities.

Responsibilities to look out for one another. To ensure that we have each other’s backs, that we will fight for our rights, that we will leave no man or woman behind. Ever.

But we did, didn’t we? In a disgusting display of cowardice and selfishness, we left behind people that we knew would die. And the very worst part of it? They knew it, too. And now, they know they are marked for death. As we speak, they are hiding with their families, huddled in God knows what kind of deplorable conditions, praying for a savior, yet knowing no one is coming to help them. Instead, they wait in terror for that door to kick in, for the enemy to arrive, no doubt cursing us for our betrayal and cursing themselves for daring to trust us.

Hell, we even gave the enemy a list of our supporters.

And that’s just something I just can’t wrap my head around. Seriously, it keeps me up at night. I watched a TikTok video recently that depicted our soldiers standing guard around a fenced-in area. There were women and children there, begging for help. One lady, a young girl, was crying, pleading for her life. The only message I heard clearly from her cries? “Please! The Taliban, the Taliban are coming for me!” I can’t shake that voice from my head and I wasn’t even there.

Imagine how that echoes in heads of the soldiers who were.

Baby being tossed over barbed wire fence. Image credit: Metro

We left an untold amount of Americans behind in Afghanistan, some say the number is in the thousands, including children. We left groups of Afghanis willing to help our cause, people who risked their lives, who trusted that we would protect them. Always.

And we failed them. Like Judas, we turned our backs to them. We left them there, among the wolves, to fend for themselves.

To die.

I feel angry. I feel betrayed by our leaders. How could we leave our people behind, knowing what the Taliban is capable of? Do we not recall the public executions, the beheadings, the murders committed by the Taliban and Isis?

And I can only imagine how our allies feel, the sacrificial lambs, the individuals who are classified as collateral damage. How would anyone ever trust us again? More importantly, should they?

We cannot have it both ways. Some demand sanctuary and passage for those beyond our borders, for it’s the humanitarian way of our country. We expect our nation to protect all lives, foreign and domestic. But then, in a blink and under the darkness of night, we abandon our posts and leave our people and allies to fend for themselves.

To be gathered into camps, imprisoned, waiting for judgement.

And there is little outcry.

I am reminded of all the reasons we are supposed to be the greatest country in the world. And the reasons why that title is slipping through our fingers, becoming just a memory, a shadow fading in the distance.

It starts with respecting what patriotism truly is; respect of each other and acknowledgement of the sacrifices made. Somehow, the lines got blurred between what this country symbolizes and the skewed perceptions of what it should be.

It starts with vilifying what should be precious to every American; a simple piece of cloth that speaks of courage and morality and strength.

It starts with the flag, and with pride in our country, our people, and our constitution. I believe we need to get back to that place where our flag is revered, not denounced.

Our American flag represents freedom. Freedom to speak, to assemble, to practice any religion you desire. Those freedoms were delivered to us upon the backs of our country’s military. Military personnel that consist of every color of the rainbow. Soldiers who came home in a box, draped by that very flag.

Those men and woman died so their fellow Americans could spit on that flag. Kneel before it or burn it or stomp it into the ground. We have the freedom to do it all.

But, as in everything in life, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The men and women who died for a cause, the ones who stormed the beaches of Normandy or dropped out of planes into enemy territory or climbed 110 floors to reach people burning on 9-11, gave their lives to protect us. Because the red, white and blue meant everything to them.

And yet, even knowing that, there are those that kneel, those who refuse to stand in the mistaken belief that their defiance is making a statement. Their hope is that their rebellion is righting an injustice, drawing attention to a societal issue. Sadly, it only serves to divide us further.

There is a huge difference between the sins of society and the sins of the flag. Our colors symbolize the lessons learned through the conflicts and pain of the past. You want to join a movement supporting the folks in this nation who feel repressed? Go for it. I salute you. You will find more people listening to your argument if it’s presented without trashing the one thing we associate with unification and standing tall.

Remember: The flag has done nothing to you as an individual. There is no such thing as “me” in a nation. It is us, we, ours. Our stars and stripes serve as a notice, giving the world a heads up not to mess with us. Because we, the people, have been willing to die for a cause in the past.

And we are willing to die for a cause in the future. Anything else is a pointless, self-serving life. I believe we are better than that.

The people of this land are being herded by shepherds who couldn’t give a rat’s about our causes. As long as we comply with their agenda.

Complacency.

Don’t misunderstand me. There is a legitimate beef against some people in this nation who rail against those of color or individuals who worship another God or people who love who they want to love. These are stains on society, individuals with only hate in their hearts who would like nothing more to divide us.

But…and this is important…you will not find justice in a symbol of peace. You will not find vindication in the colors that are there to inspire us to do better, to be better.

Rather, the flag should serve as a reminder that, in America, we are colorblind. We are tone-deaf to sexual orientation or race or religion. Because—you guessed it—we are free. We are a big, beautiful melting pot, a canvas of God’s creations set upon this earth to do wondrous things.

It’s time to get those stranded, terrified people out of Afghanistan. All of them. It’s time to stand up as one, to put the world on notice that we are strong, we are united, and we are back.

As for the 13 reasons why this blog is so important…

Sgt. Johanny Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan Page, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak, Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.

…and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Peace, my friends

—Q