By J.D. Longstreet ——Bio and Archives--June 25, 2013
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"Even as we pass judgment on countries we consider unfree, Americans remain confident that any definition of a free nation must include their own — the land of free. Yet, the laws and practices of the land should shake that confidence. In the decade since Sept. 11, 2001, this country has comprehensively reduced civil liberties in the name of an expanded security state. The most recent example of this was the National Defense Authorization Act, signed Dec. 31, which allows for the indefinite detention of citizens. At what point does the reduction of individual rights in our country change how we define ourselves?"Professor Turley goes on to enumerate a few of the ways we Americans have lost so much of our liberty to the state such as: Assassination of U.S. citizens, Indefinite detention, Arbitrary justice, Warrantless searches, War crimes, Secret court, Immunity from judicial review, Continual monitoring of citizens, and Extraordinary renditions. (Remember -- this article was written over a year before the most recent revelations of government overreach became public knowledge and congressional hearings began. ... Editor) Professor Turley points out: "An authoritarian nation is defined not just by the use of authoritarian powers, but by the ability to use them. If a president can take away your freedom or your life on his own authority, all rights become little more than a discretionary grant subject to executive will." "Since 9/11, we have created the very government the framers feared: a government with sweeping and largely unchecked powers resting on the hope that they will be used wisely," says Professor Turley. I came across a video of the introduction of the great hymn "God Bless America" recently. It is a clip from an old movie and it features that great American, Kate Smith, introducing and singing God Bless America for the very first time. It brought a tear to my eyes as I watched and listened to a different time in this country. I also spotted an actor who would later become what many feel was the last REAL President of the United States. If you want to make your day, take a few minutes to watch and listen to that video. Fair warning: Get out the tissue and an extra handkerchief. The patriotism portrayed in that clip was real. We didn't wear our patriotism on our sleeves nor on our lapels -- we LIVED it! It was alive in our hearts. We didn't mind if a tear trickled down our cheeks as we sang the National Anthem. It was the common honesty and integrity of men and women who loved their country to their core. That was MY America -- and it is the America I miss sorely. © J. D. Longstreet
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(Editor’s note: J.D. Longstreet passed away in 2014. He will be greatly missed.)
Longstreet is a conservative Southern American (A native sandlapper and an adopted Tar Heel) with a deep passion for the history, heritage, and culture of the southern states of America. At the same time he is a deeply loyal American believing strongly in “America First”.
He is a thirty-year veteran of the broadcasting business, as an “in the field” and “on-air” news reporter (contributing to radio, TV, and newspapers) and a conservative broadcast commentator.
Longstreet is a veteran of the US Army and US Army Reserve. He is a member of the American Legion and the Sons of Confederate Veterans. A lifelong Christian, Longstreet subscribes to “old Lutheranism” to express and exercise his faith.