When I was a kid, boys played a game called “king on the mountain” — a wrestling match in which the guy still standing was taken down and replaced by others, also taken down. In today’s world, America still stands, but sinister forces — within her shores and abroad — are determined to take her down.
It’s a matter of evil people hating good people. When the scourge of tyranny threatens, foreign nations have always turned to America for help because they know she can be counted on to stand tall for freedom. When foreign nations are devastated by natural calamites, they know America will be first on the scene to help them get back on their feet. Conversely, what countries come to America’s aid when she suffers at the hands of Mother Nature? Not one.
Americans are the most generous, yet least appreciated people on earth. Ironically, if the America-haters’ dreams came true and Old Glory ceased to be the most enduring symbol of freedom in mankind’s history, their joy would be short-lived. The ever-tightening grip of oppression would take hold; they’d have no one to turn to, and would end up living in even more abject misery than they now live in.
For patriots like myself, the desire of some foreign countries to topple this great nation is regretful, but even more regretful is the desire of many Americans to see her descend to the level of countries who continually try to make a success of what has always been a failure, morally and otherwise: socialism. These anti-American Americans — especially those in government — remind me of coddled, spoiled-brat children, who take so much for granted, and instead of giving thanks, only demand more, idiotically failing to realize that sooner or later the cookie jar runs out.
Rogue nations and their terrorist offspring accuse America of being a warmonger, and cowardly, flower-power, peacenik anti-American Americans go along with that accusation, refusing to accept the eternal wisdom of the Latin phrase, “Vis pacem, para bellum”: If you want peace, prepare for war.
Real Americans are thankful they are Americans. They are proud of America’s accomplishments, which no other country can even begin to match.
Real Americans understand that America has to be the world’s policeman, and in the name of exceptionalism, she shoulders that thankless duty.
Real Americans are grateful for the legacy of freedom bequeathed to them by their forefathers, many of whom lost all their possessions, family members, and even their lives, in the struggle against a tyrannical power, not unlike many American-hating countries today.
Real Americans accept the message given in Galatians, Chapter five: “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
I thank God every day that I was born an American, and pray that He will help this nation defeat those who hate her — at home and abroad — so that she will never know what so many want her to know: the yoke of bondage.
Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.
This story is a selection from Jimmy Reed’s latest book, entitled The Jaybird Tales.
Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
