[Rhodes22-list] Reply to Herb (You might be a true American. . . )

Slim salm at mn.rr.com
Thu Sep 28 13:03:32 EDT 2006 

Philip,

You and Herb can certainly stand tall and be proud of your accomplishments
in the face of adversity and challenge.  But when you say:
>> we all have the opportunity to achieve the zenith of our abilities.
something sticks in my craw.  Do you remember the civil rights struggle in
the 60s?  Find a man from Selma, Ala and ask him if he thinks he was given
ample opportunity then and if it's much better now.

Slim

On 9/28/06 8:22 AM, "3drecon at comcast.net" <3drecon at comcast.net> wrote:

> Herb,
>    I am sort of white, Mediteranian.  My parents divorced when I was 10.  My
> dad, though kind at heart, was not very responsible and did only what the
> court ordered him to do (never missed a payment) but there were no fishing
> trips, camping or anythnng like that.
>    My younger brother got his Eagle Scout without any family adult
> participation and is on schedule to retire at 52 years old (and I mean
> retire).  He, like I have always worked at least two jobs (unless I was on
> active duty; officers are generally prohibited from moonlighting).  We put
> ourselves through college working the whole time.  I am in the Army (again)
> until I retire, then back to the civilian job.  I started out as a PVT 1 in
> the USMC and am now a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army.  None of this would have
> been possible without an education.  An education I paid for working, student
> loans (which I paid back in full) and Vietnam era GI Bill.  My brother didn't
> have the GI bill but still paid for his education himself.
>    My mother worked her ass off to keep us in clothes, under a roof (her
> house) and fed while finishing her B.S.
>    You make your own luck (when opportunity meets preparedness).  Make your
> choices and play it out.
>    I am now helping my older son through the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
> (he has been offered a part in Pirates of the Carribean III).  My younger son
> is in private school.
> 
> Philip
> 
> 
> 
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "Herb Parsons" <hparsons at parsonsys.com>
> 
>> Phillip, 
>> 
>> Interesting the diversity of responses Slim's cynical viewpoint
>> generated. 
>> 
>> My mother never finished high school. We were what most would call
>> "poor white trash", moving all over the country depending on who her
>> husband was. 
>> 
>> She finally bought a house about 2 years after my wife and I got
>> married (12 years ago).
>> 
>> I did a bit better. Make about 90k a year, and even though i was an
>> adult before I bought my first house, it was before my kids were grown.
>> 
>> My first married daughter and her fiancé bought their house 3 months
>> before their wedding.
>> 
>> I'm sure though, that it has little to do with working hard to improve
>> your lot, and that of your children's, and more to do with living in a
>> white man's world.
>> 
>> Yeah, sure of it...
>> 
>> 
>> Herb Parsons 
>> 
>> S/V O'Jure 
>> 1976 O'Day 25 
>> Lake Grapevine, N TX
>> 
>> S/V Reve de Papa
>> 1971 Coronado 35
>> Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana Coast
>> 
>>>>> 3drecon at comcast.net 9/27/2006 4:09:30 pm >>>
>> Slim, 
>> Your comments are about as extremist as they come. Life isn't a
>> level playing field. We all have our hurdles and it is up to each of us
>> to cross them. The promise of this country isn't equal outcome, rather,
>> we all have the opportunity to achieve the zenith of our abilities.
>> 
>> Philip 
>> Son of immigrants who speak foreign languages (and English) but did
>> alright anyway! 
>> 
>> -------------- Original message --------------
>> From: Slim 
>> 
>>> I'm sorry if anybody is offended by any more measure than I was at
>> the first 
>>> list that Elle posted. Truly, I'm a moderate, not an extremist, but
>>> extremist rhetoric from others brings out the beast in me.
>>> 
>>> That said, white man's guilt or not, you have to admit there are two
>> 
>>> Americas--one for white men and one for everybody else. Not exactly a
>> level 
>>> playing field. 
>>> 
>>> Slim 
>>> 
>>> On 9/27/06 3:15 PM, "Brad Haslett" wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Slim, 
>>>> 
>>>> I understand the reasoning behind some of your points. That doesn't
>> mean I 
>>>> agree with reasoning, or the points, I just understand the mindset.
>> One area 
>>>> where we most vehemently disagree is the white Anglo comment. I
>> didn't 
>>>> choose to be born white, male, or the son of a frequently
>> unemployed 
>>>> construction worker. That was fate, or whatever. I don't owe my
>> success, 
>>>> however modest, to pigmentation or the lack of it. In other words,
>> if you 
>>>> must suffer from white man's guilt, do so, but don't project it on
>> me or 
>>>> anyone else. 
>>>> 
>>>> As to the flag, I can wait to sing the National Anthem at the top
>> of my 
>>>> lungs in Beijing in two years with my daughter singing along and my
>> wife 
>>>> holding her hand over her heart.
>>>> 
>>>> Brad 
>>>> 
>>>> On 9/27/06, Slim wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Yeah, OK, I'd like to add a few too:
>>>>> 
>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if you continue to support the
>> administration 
>>>>> no matter how many lies are crammed down our throats.
>>>>> 
>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if you go to church every Sunday and
>> pray for 
>>>>> the destruction of others in the name of God.
>>>>> 
>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if you think all languages except
>> English 
>>>>> should be banned within our borders.
>>>>> 
>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if you're a white Anglo.
>>>>> 
>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if you think only TRUE AMERICANS
>> adhere to 
>>>>> this 
>>>>> list!! 
>>>>> 
>>>>> On 9/27/06 8:00 AM, "Hank" wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>>> Great email, Elle. I'd only suugest one edit. Add "Remove your
>> hat" to 
>>>>> the 
>>>>>> part about the National Anthem. That's always been a pet peeve of
>> mine 
>>>>> to 
>>>>>> see folks at a ball game not take off their hat.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 9/27/06, L. Sailor wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Came across my email this AM. Makes one think about
>>>>>>> how those in the middle politically are being
>>>>>>> bullied by the ends of the spectrum.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> elle 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> It is time to change from REDNECK humor to TRUE
>>>>>>> AMERICAN Humor! Only I don't see it as Humor, but the
>>>>>>> correct way to LIVE YOUR LIFE ! If you feel the same,
>>>>>>> pass this on to your True American friends. Ya'll
>>>>>>> know who ya' are...
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: It never occurred to
>>>>>>> you to be offended by the phrase, "One nation, under
>>>>>>> God." 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never
>>>>>>> protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in
>>>>>>> public places.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You still say
>>>>>>> "Christmas" instead of "Winter Festival."
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You bow your head
>>>>>>> when someone
>>>>>>> prays. 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You stand and place
>>>>>>> your hand over your heart when they play the National
>>>>>>> Anthem. 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You treat Viet Nam
>>>>>>> vets with great respect, and alw ays have.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You've never burned
>>>>>>> an American flag.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You know what you
>>>>>>> believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter
>>>>>>> who is listening.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You respect your
>>>>>>> elders and expect your kids to do the same.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> You might be a TRUE AMERICAN if: You'd give your last
>>>>>>> dollar to a friend.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> If you got this email from me, it is because I believe
>>>>>>> that you, like me, have just enough TRUE AMERICAN in
>>>>>>> you to have the same beliefs as those talked about in
>>>>>>> this email. This is Excellent, No Matter what you
>>>>>>> deem fit to call it. It is our Country, It is our way
>>>>>>> of LIFE, and I love it.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> God Bless the U S A ! Git 'er done!!!!!!!!!!!!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
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