What Happened

I remember the America I grew up in.

Good people stood up, argued, defended and even fought for things that were right. When they saw injustice .................... Racism, thievery, spouse abuse, child abuse ............. they gathered and warned the villains ........... and the villains knew they would follow through, legally, and if needed even illegally. A brother, father, or uncle would never allow a woman or child to be abused.

In todays world, 2009, only convicts carry on the morality of making sure a child abuser is warned.

Today, only being 'caught' is a crime.

Also, it is NOT a crime if the person feels that "everyone does it".
Steal condiments from the local eatery.
Buy clothing to wear once, then return it saying you changed your mind.
Cheat on a spouse because you don't like the way they treated you last night.
Take advantage of someone that is kinder, gentler, or not as strong as you are.

Lying is common, where I remember a 'spit-promise' had meaning.

There were limits to acceptable behavior by men and women alike; certain things are just too despicable to say.

Now, we say anything - hurt those you love, drive salt into the wounds to further your own selfish desire to be superior - even tho you only prove yourself less of a human in winning.

I do not 'get it'.


In the next few hours/days/months. I want to talk about racism, patriotism, honor, duty, shame, guilt, and many other things our country had .................... but seems to have lost.

Next: The great 'experiment' of the 'American Melting Pot' has frozen cold.