By STEVE GILLILAND
Explore Kansas Outdoors
This column is a deviation from my usual outdoor format, but one that has been on my heart for some time. It’s directed at those living in our country who are unhappy with our lifestyle here in the United States of America to the point of constant criticism and rebuke. I’m not a soccer fan whatsoever, but I’m having the time of my life reading and hearing the comments about our country from soccer fans here from all over the world to watch the World Cup matches. They are saying the United States of America is a marvelous country, and we Americans are a warm and welcoming people; evidently QUITE THE OPPOSITE of how the media presents us to the world. This fact should be apparent to all of us by the number of people willing to risk their lives to come here ILLEGALLY.
First off, lets get something straight; my being a lover of the USA doesn’t mean I love everything about her. Just like supporting a political candidate or a social issue, there are things about my country I wish would change. But it takes mere seconds for me to look around at the rest of the world and decide that here in these United States of America is where I’m thankful to live, period!
There are numerous things we can disagree upon regarding life in the USA and still live together, despite our disagreement; yet another testament to our freedoms here. We can disagree on food, political parties, religion, sports teams, gender lifestyles, and we can even criticize our leadership and government, all without fear of reprisal. In many other countries around the world, you could be imprisoned or worse for disagreeing with some of these things.
However, there are some things I must ask of you if you want to continue living here and enjoying our many freedoms; first of all, if you are in a leadership role in our government in any way, STOP CRITISIZING THE USA. If you are a LEGAL IMMIGRANT and like your country of origin better, GO BACK; another freedom you have, and I’ll come help you pack.
Secondly, if you are an immigrant, learn our language. This would most certainly be required of me if I moved to a land that did not speak English. If you want to keep your native language alive by speaking it at home, wonderful, just learn to
use ours. And if you want to immigrate to here, do it legally through the front door and go through the correct process.
Thirdly, learn our traditions, and learn about our GOD, the God of the Bible and Creator and Sustainer of the universe. If you want to practice another religion and traditions in the privacy of your home, again, you are free to do so, just DO NOT try to force them on us and expect us to adopt them; this was our country first!
As we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of our great nation, my hope is that reading this leaves no doubt in your mind how I feel about these United States of America.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all… HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!
Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.