doglock:

I want to see a movie adaptation of a book that cuts out nothing. If it is one of my favorite novels I will have no problem sitting there for 8 hours if it means I can see Peeves the Poltergeist.

deadxstop:

Every school morning for 12 years, I made my way to my desk and sat down before the bell rang. The teacher then took attendance and immediately following we were asked to rise, face the American flag, put our hands over our hearts and recite the pledge of allegiance. I did this because everyone else did. I did this because our teachers told us we had to do this. I did it because we would be sent to the principal’s office if we refused. 

I once forged a speeding ticket to say that I was 18 years old when I was only 17 so I could drive to another town and get my first tattoo. I nervously worked all day, didn’t eat, and after 30 minutes of the needle in my skin, I passed out and had a seizure. After a few glasses of water, a couple cookies, and another hour, I had my first tattoo. An eagle standing proudly in front of an American flag. 

With an American flag tattoo on my right arm and an American flag patch sewn to the left arm of my bomber jacket, I went out at night and kicked dents in foreign cars. 

With an American flag tattoo on my right arm and an American flag patch sewn to the left arm of my bomber jacket, I called my college political science teacher he was a “traitor” in front of the entire class because he once ran for office as a Republican but now identified as a Liberal. 

Today I received an email, as I so often do, asking my support to contact my state representative and ask that they vote YES for same sex marriage. Before I filled out the form and sent the email I thought about how the Christopher of 20 years ago would have felt about this. I can safely say, he would have been none too pleased with the “uppity fags trying to infiltrate every aspect of our society.” I shook my head, filled out the email, and sent it - altering the email heading by adding “PLEASE” to the request to vote yes on same sex marriage. 

I thought about what being a patriot means to me. For half of my life I proudly waved an American flag. Wore one on my arm. Displayed one in my bedroom. Sewed one on my jacket. That was until I learned about the atrocities my government has, and continues to, inflicted upon it’s own people. But America is not it’s government - America is it’s people. Now I’m conflicted here as well because I clearly don’t see eye to eye with most of them either… but what I DO see clearly is that every last one of my neighbors should have an equal opportunity. That is just patriotism 101. 

See, you can’t go around waving an American flag if you go back home and openly support denying rights to other Americans. You can’t go home and support intentionally biased laws that negatively effect people of based upon color, or religion, or sexual orientation and call yourself a patriot. I’m sorry, because that is the exact OPPOSITE of what our constitution, bill of rights, and pledge of allegiance stands for. 

Now I might not go around waving flags much anymore. And while I am beyond stoked to live in a country that knows how to use the proper spices in food, embraces pizza gluttony, and drives on the correct side of the road - I also recognize when idiots hide behind a flag and a bible to justify their bigotry and right to deny others of rights. I know because I was one of those idiots. 

Are you allowed to be a racist, sexist, homophobe? Sure. Of course you are. I mean, keep it away from me and my Facebook feed but sure, that is your right. But don’t think you are allowed to voice your garbage and continue to consider yourself a “patriot.” Because by the very definition, when you vote to deny rights to another American it IS an act of treason.

And I’m sorry, but traitors - those committing treason - are the anthesis of an American, and are most certainly NOT a patriot of these United States. 

1992.