/r/50501 Mirror

I want to address the folks I see posting about leaving the US because a bunch of fascist pigs are trying to take over.

My first question is, “I'm sorry. Did all the noise suddenly wake you up, or have you not been paying attention for the last five fucking decades?” But I'll leave that one for another time.

Full disclosure: My politics lean to the left. How far? Well, let's just say I have little use for right-wing politicians like Barack Obama and even less for closet Republicans like Bill and Hillary Clinton.

I am an old man. Yes, a proud Baby Boomer. I don't know what you kids were told, but we pulled off some absolutely unbelievable shit. Some of us advanced legislation that ended legal racial discrimination that was codified into law in the 1880s. My part of that generation stopped the war in Vietnam and ended the forced military conscription of young men. This is why you weren't debating in your American History class whether or not we should bomb Hanoi, and why you don't know the difference between a 2S and a 1A.

You're welcome.

I'm as willing to forgive you your ignorance as my parents were to forgive me mine.

Anyone caught up in that struggle, whether fighting the war in Vietnam for the army or just fighting the Vietnam War in this country, saw some shit. The horrific price military veterans paid is well documented. Viet-vets were treated worse than any other group of veterans. They were screwed during the war and after.

My opposition to that war cost me dearly, but not nearly as much as some of my friends. After living underground for two years, I was given the opportunity to leave and re-settle in Canada or Sweden. After giving the matter serious consideration I finally had to conclude that neither Canada nor Sweden was my country. My country was and is, for better or worse, the United States of America. I learned then that an American doesn't abandon his country as long as it's still afloat. If the pirates are boarding, an American grabs their sword and attacks. Americans aren't fragile. We may bend a little, but we don't break. I don't need a passport, Goddamn it! I need a**o! (Thank you, President Zelenskyy).

In my 72 years, I've never seen things this bad. I'm descended from Josiah Bartlett, the second signer of the Declaration of Independence, representing the State of New Hampshire. When he and his fellows signed that document, they "mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor". It takes no less commitment to change the world today than it did then. This is not an easy task. There is no room for Sunshine Patriots.

I have a hard time believing that it has come to me now to stand up and say this. But I will.

If you have ever had even the merest twinge of Love of Country, now is the time for you to come out onto the street.

In a lifetime of unusual relationships with smugglers, shooters, and thieves, this is a strange ledge for me to find myself on. I seem to have some peculiar bedfellows here...Liz? Dick? Is that you? Huh...Never thought I'd find myself hangin' with the Cheneys, but, whatever it takes, I'm there. (Excuse me, could you scoot over a bit, Mr. Bolton? I need room to unclench my fists. Thanks.) What in the bloody hell is going on?!

Reddit mods are pussys. Let's see how long this stays up.

Originally Posted By u/Odd_Book8314 At 2025-09-13 01:15:03 AM | Source