Would you say...

What would you say?

If you saw graves of soldiers killed in a needless war, a wife crying for her husband, would you say God Damn America?

there is more... much more ...

If you saw tears on a face a little girl whose family just lost her house because of subprime fraud, while government bails out huge companies, would you say God Damn America?

If you saw people on tops of roofs calling for help, football stadiums with starving, thirsty people in a flooded city, as the "presidents" say "heck of a job", would you say God Damn America?

If you saw a homeless veteran begging for help, while Haliburton get billions, would you say God Damn America?

If you saw an old woman whose retirement was destroyed by Enron, would you say God Damn America?

If you saw American leaders endorse torture, would you say God Damn America?

If you saw one justice for some and another justice for others, would you say God Damn America?

Would you? Would you?

Well I say God Damn America, God Damn those who DESTROY it, and God Damn it we will work make you a beacon of freedom and light again.
I say we WORK, we FIGHT, yes we FIGHT to the last (wo)man, we so we could stand and proudly scream at the top of our lungs GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Update:
It appears the consensus is not to Damn America but instead to damn those who cause this trouble, and bless many more who work to help. Thats more then a fair point.

GOD BLESS AMERICA and all who works to make it better.
But I guess I learned how easy it is to use the wrong words.

Please let me know if you folks think I should delete this diary.

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Please REC :)

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I am attempting to make a short video out of this, but I lack any video expertise. Anyone wishing to work with me on this please contact me and godblessamericavideo at gmail dot com

•  My "we fight" tip jar.

  by goodwill on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:44:26 PM PDT

  •  but I will

    give you a tip for your opinion

    by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:47:38 PM PDT

•  No

  Damning an entire nation implies damning it's people as well and these tragedies occured to Americans.

  God Damn the Government that allowed it to happen, but not the nation it's happening to.

  America has it's faults, and there are plenty, but damning America is not very hopeful, it's quite the opposite actually. I thought we wanted hope.

  by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:47:07 PM PDT

•  Um...

  God damn America

  Not helpful.

  by MajorFlaw on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:47:18 PM PDT

  •  Why not

    they are jsut words - and why do words seem to cause so much pain, hen the real pain can be seen in those images.  

    by ETinKC on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:53:45 PM PDT

    •  As you note, the images are sufficiently

      inflammatory.  Those three words are just asking for trouble.

      by MajorFlaw on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:55:15 PM PDT

    •  Because the words imply

      the nation as a whole is like George W. Bush and we know that's not true. Seriously, if you want to damn America and Americans, then you really have Obama's message wrong.

      by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:00:28 PM PDT

      •  Actually Obama's message doesn't do much

        for me, but that is not why i defendind this Diary.  Sometimes you need to shock people into hearing your message, and I thought that this Diary did that well - we may just be reading too much into the words based ont he whole Wright thing.

        by ETinKC on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:06:44 PM PDT

  •  America is an idea...America is an ideal

    America from the beginning was a place where the rights of the individual were protected from the awesome power of the state.  We have been led astray by the original Royalists..that is what Bush and the Republicans represent..they are the original Royalists..Clinton is an enabler of the Royalists..and for her service..she gets power, prestige, but above all..money..Royalists worship money..

    The love of money is the root of all evil..the dollar has been the God of the power elite for so long..they now have power over the military with which they use as the Mafia uses its Soldati..to gain more power and more treasure..

    So .. the question is .. is America damned..?  Can America regain its soul?  Can we get back to that ideal that says we are the country that others can turn to for genuine help..??

    The pictures were very moving in this diary..tears fell from my eyes..they always do when I see pictures presented like this..soem are saying that the question is not helpful..but I think it is the way you have presented this diary that makes your diary thought provoking..

    by RubyGal on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:58:37 PM PDT

•  GD George Bush's America

  This is the product of eight years of criminal neglect.
  It is the obligation of every patriotic American to change the discourse to "how do we turn the country around?"

  Fight the Hannities, the Rushes, the Inhofes, and the Brownbacks! Tell them their days are numbered.

  Vote Obama in 08.

  by cboas on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:49:17 PM PDT

•  I Got A Couple Pics For You

  This is the America we live in now .....

  

  

  

  

  I don't feel, nor have I for a while, so good to be an America. So yes "God Damn America!"

  by webranding on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:50:58 PM PDT

  •  I'm sorry you feel that way

    but millions of Americans like myself have worked to help people suffering from Hurricane Katrina. After it happened, I was in college and we raised $2,900 in a fundraising marathon at my college radio station. On Columbus Day weekend, 2005, my friend and I drove from New York to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to hand the $2,900 check to a friend of one of my professors who was working for the Red Cross disaster relief in New Orleans.

    I'm an American, I'm sorry you feel the need to damn me.

    by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:56:50 PM PDT

    •  See You Don't Get It

      I would argue that you are buying the right wing talking points here hook line and sinker. If I get mad and say "God Damn America" then I am slamming everybody. Not only every person but the idea of America.

      That isn't the case. Not in the least.

      I am saying I am pissed. That in this instance or this instance we failed. But I can't say that and still be a proud, even if at times I am not, proud American.

      That just isn't acceptable. Put on that flag pin and get in line.

      Sorry I won't do that and I won't allow other people to take words I use and place within them any meaning that isn't intended.

      by webranding on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:02:17 PM PDT

      •  No, you're right I don't get it

        why do you mean when you say God Damn America? George Bush? Corporate Lobbyists? The Aristocracy? Because I would argue none of those things are really truly American, rather just evils disguised as America.

        I'm America, You're America, Obama is America, Manhattan is America, Hollywood is America, Chicago is America, New Orleans is America, Biloxi, Mississippi is America. Damn those things too?

        I'm beginning to realize why the Republicans win all the time.

        by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:06:50 PM PDT

    •  Here is the problem...

      $2,900 didn't fix the problem..it was a gracious gesture..no doubt..but not enough to fix the problem..the government did not get in there and help the people.. they did the opposite..they harmed the people..they brought Blackwater USA into New Orleans and some Blackwater employees killed citizens of New Orleans and have not been prosecuted to my knowledge..

      $2,900 didn't fix the problems..nice gesture..but not enough..The government needed to do a better job..that event was so overwhelming, it needed a huge effort and they have not gotten the help they still need..public schools are closed and replaced with something experimental..public housing that is perfectly good is up for grabs by developers..not good .. really not good..

      by RubyGal on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:06:19 PM PDT

      •  Well I'm sorry

        I couldn't get to Washington to overthrow the government for you, I did what I can. Millions of Americans did what they could. Next time, I'll just turn off the television and go back to my lattes Damn me!

        by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:09:17 PM PDT

        •  I said it was a nice gesture for you to

          take $2,900 to Mississippi..but the reality was and is that it will take billions to repair the lives disrupted by Katrina..Billions of dollars needed for Katrina are going to the occupation of Iraq..like everything pointed out in this diary..what is juxtaposed is pain vs power..

          So while the $2,900 was a nice gesture, it made you feel good to do it..it was a gesture of good will..but the government is what is needed in a situation like Katrina..and that government failed..

          by RubyGal on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:15:30 PM PDT

          •  so then why are you

            damning the entire nation, me included?

            by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:16:13 PM PDT

            •  America, as I have said before is an idea

              it is an ideal..we have what is the American ideal..what..that we are a generous benevolent kind hearted people..and God Blesses America for that..when we devolve into those darkside people... who allow the homeless to be friendless..or the wounded soldiers who served in Iraq to be invisible..or the coffins that are coming home to be out of sight and out of mind of most of the people ..then maybe God is damning America..it is the opposite side of the same coin.  

              Do you sometimes feel that you are the last person on earth that understands how hated we as a people are for having Bush as our president..??  

              by RubyGal on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:30:45 PM PDT

              •  I know how hated we are

                for having Bush as our President, but clearly you haven't traveled out of the country recently. In the past year, I've been to France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey and Canada and in every country I felt welcomed with warm open arms. Despite all the ill will toward us, it's really toward OUR GOVERNMENT AND THEIR POLICIES and not toward us personally. They pity us, they don't hate us. We're like those runaway teenagers we see on the street...it's not "those bastards, look who they've done!,"it's "poor Americans, what could possibly have happened to them for them to elect such bastards?"

                I, and many in America and across the world, hope for a better future, we're not damning America to hell. Seriously, I'm not going to throw out that "love or leave it" argument, because I know how it feels, but if I felt that way, I wouldn't live here...I'd move. I couldn't live in a country I didn't like and had no faith in.

                by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:38:43 PM PDT

•  what next

  Implying that 9/11 had a causal relationship with past history and was not the work of evil madmen motivated by pure hatred? Implying that our sodliers who volunteer to be trained in how to kill are somehow responsible for the killing they do? Implying that our voters who systematically vote to approve more prisons while hardening punishments are somehow responsible for the suffering of the millions in our prison system? You're on a dangerous slope here, friend. For God's sake, don't mention any chickens and where they like to roost.

  by Marcion on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:51:49 PM PDT

  •  Some of that

    is already being said

    by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:18:24 PM PDT

    •  there's a line in a song I remember

      It's was a Russian song from the 80s at the time of the collapse, and it had a line that's so fitting right now

      One set of words is for the kitchen, another for the street.
      And all the eagles have been slaughtered to make room for chicken, so we can eat.

      by Marcion on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:27:34 PM PDT

•  I wouldn't necessarily say "God Damn America"

  I'd say "God Damn the Americans who let this happen" (if you can even call them Americans.)

  The outpouring of support after 9/11, after Katrina, after the tsunamis....after every major disaster around the world...has been nothing but phenomenal.

  The rank-and-file aren't responsible...so don't damn them.  Damn the people who are.

  (Paraphrasing BHO) We're going to end the era of Scooter Libby justice, Brownie incompetence.

  Damn the people who caused this mess...bless the people that are trying to clean it up.

  by DemocraticOz on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:54:00 PM PDT

  •  I understand your point - but is it really

    assumed that when we say God Damn America we really mean every American?  If someone says God Bless America, do we really mean everyone in the country?

    by ETinKC on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:55:59 PM PDT

    •  Not necessarily.

      But a lot of mainstream America doesn't think that way.

      When they hear "God Damn America" they don't parse it...they just hear you attacking their country.

      In essence, you're attacking them because of their love of country - even though that's not what's meant by the sentiment.

      by DemocraticOz on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:00:32 PM PDT

    •  Well, yes.

      If you don't qualify a statement, it generally is taken to mean exactly what it says, inclusively.

      I understand how that pastor IN CONTEXT could have been being other than syntactically accurate.

      And also yes, if you say God Bless America, it does mean everyone, even the people you don't like.  Presumably a bit of blessing might make them better people.

      by drbloodaxe on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:00:33 PM PDT

•  The beauty of America is that we can change it.

  Don't damn that.

  by dawnt on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:54:49 PM PDT

  •  That's the contridiction

    between Obama's message and Rev. Wright. Wright shows no hope in America, Obama does...or so says he does. It puts into question whether or not he really does.

    I think he does, but there are millions out there and look at this and say "How does Obama believe in hope when he's listening to THIS guy"

    by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:58:44 PM PDT

    •  I think Reverend Wright does have hope

      But he also has anger and bitterness at the injustices that he's witnesses year after year. I can understand that too.

      by dawnt on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:34:38 PM PDT

      •  I can understand that too

        but I see no hope in this guy, just anger and bitterness...quite frankly, I wouldn't want some angry, bitter man as my pastor...isn't religion supposed to be about faith and hope and blessings? I don't know, I'm not religious, maybe I'm wrong.

        by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:42:29 PM PDT

•  I wouldn't.

  but I'm an athiest, and I don't blame 'America'.

  I do blame the Regime behind much of this crap though.

  So I'd settle for damn BushCo and any other retards involved with that crap.

  The crying wife, the crying child, the homeless vet, that old woman, the Jena 6, they are America.  So I wouldn't damn them.

  That having been said, I have no problem with Wright exercising his right to free speech as he sees fit.

  He's no Rev Phelps.

  by drbloodaxe on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 03:56:08 PM PDT

•  You Really Don't Want Me Saying What I Think

  on a blog dedicated to electing Democrats. My conclusions about what the problems stem from would not help the cause.

  But no, it wouldn't be God damn America.

  by Gooserock on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:03:01 PM PDT

  •  Please say

    I'm not keeping my trap shut

    by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:09:43 PM PDT

•  No i would NOT say god damn American

  call me old fashioned, call me whatever you want to call me, but i would never ever say god damn America because people died and bled for this country, people that i knew and cherished and loved. If i damn this country, i would be spitting on their sacrifice and courage and memories.

  Yes, i am a liberal, but i am an American before and beyond any political or ideological identification. Yes we are not a perfect country, but that does not give the right to anyone to insult the memories of the fallen ones.

  I volunteer at the VA hospital every week (by the way, why don't i see any of the progressive and liberal youth in the hallways of VA hospitals? Where are you? Isn't it reading for soldier blinded by RSB not glamorous and hip enough for you?). And i see in those young brave men and women, full of courage and even gratitude, the best of us. They picked up a weapon and stood the post and for that we owe them respect. I love them for who they are and what they represent. They did not ask us for anything, but for our respect and they must have it all and without buts and howevers.

  by Mutual Assured Destruction on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:24:25 PM PDT

  •  You gave me an idea

    (by the way, why don't i see any of the progressive and liberal youth in the hallways of VA hospitals? Where are you? Isn't it reading for soldier blinded by RSB not glamorous and hip enough for you?).

    Good point! I just figured out what I can do after work to make me feel more fulfilled.

    Off to St. Albans!

    by nrafter530 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:26:43 PM PDT

    •  Good, they would really appreciate it

      and you will feel that you are doing something concrete. Just be careful, you have to have strong emotional control and please don't look at their mutilated faces or limps. Just look them in the eyes and be yourself. Good luck and thanks

      by Mutual Assured Destruction on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:33:08 PM PDT

•  Goodwill, you are an idiot and this diary is

  idiotic. yes, it is my opinion and as the French say, "opinions are like assholes, everyone has one."

  I am sorry, but you got me so mad that i have no other words for you but idiotic (and i am being very polite). If you confuse America with its policies, you are what we call down here an idiot.

  by Mutual Assured Destruction on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 04:39:40 PM PDT

  •  Sorry, my "Sorry to disagree" comment

    was intended as a response to "Goodwill, you are an idiot..." Somehow I managed to post it as a response to the diary.

    by DixieDishrag on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 05:02:19 PM PDT

    •  Is this reply intended for me

      because i really do not understand what you are trying to say.

      by Mutual Assured Destruction on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 05:45:51 PM PDT

  •  what would you be saying if you were stuck on the

    roof on NOLA during the hurricane

    by goodwill on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 05:28:02 PM PDT

    •  I would cuss and damn my mayor, my governor,

      my president, my senators, my representatives, FEMA and every other federal agency, but i would not cuss or damn America.

      by Mutual Assured Destruction on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 05:44:59 PM PDT

      •  And who elected all those people

        and gave them the power that they have over you as you sit on the roof during Katrina waiting for help that never comes?

        American citizens. Millions and millions of us put GWB in office (no, I never voted for him, that's the ROYAL "us"), along with the senators and representatives who have enabled his crimes. And those people we elected put FEMA and the other federal agencies in place.

        So where again is the root of the problem? Who is ultimately responsible for the policies of the American government? The American people who elect the people who make the policies.

        by DixieDishrag on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 10:30:00 PM PDT

        •  That's why

          Al-Qaeda kills us...same reasoning

          by nrafter530 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 04:04:27 AM PDT

          •  That's true.

            I certainly don't advocate killing anyone -- the leaders or the people who elected them.

            I didn't vote for Bush in either 2000 or 2004. But when I think about the fact that the American people actually handed him another four years on a silver platter, it makes my head explode. After the first four years, we gave him another four to screw things up even more. WHAT WERE PEOPLE THINKING?

            I hate what they have done to this country as much as anyone else does. But it bothers me to hear people positioning the American people as innocent victims to the crimes of this country's leaders. Those innocent victims gave the leaders their power. We put them where they are.

            by DixieDishrag on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:03:57 AM PDT

            •  I'm an American

              and I didn't give them power...do I deserve to die? to be damnned? Does John Kerry? Does Al Gore? Does Howard Dean? Does Russ Feingold?

              by nrafter530 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:14:04 AM PDT

              •  I just said I don't advocate anyone dying...

                So, to answer your question, NO YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO DIE. Nor does any other American. Is that clear? Do I need to say it again? And again? How many times? YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO DIE.

                I didn't give power to Bush any more than you did; I would never have voted for him. But millions of Americans did. And they are certainly complicit in creating the mess we're in today. They supported the evil that's ruining this country.

                However, I did support Claire McKaskill (I know that's probably misspelled but I don't know the correct spelling) and Jim Webb, and they betrayed the American people by voting for telecom immunity. So I do bear some responsibility for putting those two leaders where they could do further harm to this country.

                I'm not trying to start a war here. But I don't think it's fair to lay all the blame on the evil people who are running the country now, when we, the American people, are the ones who put them there. And, in the case of the Bush administration, kept them there even after we knew what they were.

                by DixieDishrag on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 12:34:07 PM PDT

•  Sorry to disagree, but

  a bare majority of Americans voted NOT to put Bush in the White House in 2000. That means that millions and millions of Americans are complicit in the disaster he's created, the lives lost, the suffering, the lies, and the torture because they voted for him.

  A majority of our elected representatives have allowed it all to go on, without any accountability. Those people were put into office by ... guess who ... the American people. Not every last citizen, but huge numbers of us voted the people into office who have refused to hold the administration accountable for any of their crimes. Not even the most egregious ones. And without accountability, the crimes continue.

  I won't go so far as to say God damn America, because I have to believe there is hope for us. But to say that it's all the fault of just a few people is ignoring who gave those people their power. Us.

  by DixieDishrag on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 05:01:02 PM PDT