Quote Originally Posted by LDAHL View Post
The way I see it, I spent seven years in an unflattering uniform precisely for people like Rob. I'm a First Amendment absolutist. Unless all of us are free to insult, label, discomfit, annoy and misrepresent each other, then ultimately none of us are. The fact that Rob can sneer and complain about his conception of America doesn't detract from its glory. It adds to it; and to the debt we owe the people who paid in blood for the freedoms, however abused, that we enjoy.
I agree. The First Amendment is a precious thing. Half of my ancestors were fresh off the boat, but the other half came here before the Revolutionary War, and we have a long history of fighting in the many wars since--and being dutiful citizens. That doesn't keep me from criticizing many of the actions taken by the government; in some cases, I agree with Rob. I might be happier elsewhere, but it's far too late to find out.