To America,  (this is a bit dated, but it's my 1st blog - hope you like it!)

I am screaming inside! – A rambling letter in several parts by an American serviceman

I am currently 37 years old, a white male; married with three children ages 18, 16, and 13. I have been married to the same woman for over 19 years – yes, we were high school sweethearts. My father who is 84 years old is a disabled vet. He fought in WWII and was a combat medic in Vietnam. He spent 29 years in the service. Most of my family members on both side of the family are retired military, or served for a time in the military. I myself have been in the Air Force now for over 18 years.

I am a conservative and vote Republican. I believe in the United States. I believe we are a unique nation in the history of the world. At least I used to believe we were unique.

Not so long ago, I could say Merry Christmas to anyone and not fear “offending” anyone’s delicate sensibilities. I could vote for who I wanted and not have to push through bands of protestors telling me if I voted/didn’t vote a certain way, this bad thing or that bad thing would happen to the universe. I could express my opinions in public and not fear being prosecuted for “hate speech”.

I felt proud and others felt proud when I wore my uniform in public. Now I wear it as a dare to anyone who would disparage what it stands for. Now, there are places where I get side glances and “evil” looks for wearing it as if when I enter the room, evil itself has just entered. The glances and whisperings, just out of earshot are there. These people, who supposedly have the moral courage to hug a tree, don’t have the courage to look me in the eye and say what’s on their mind.

I felt I could trust the “leaders” of this country to stand by me and my comrades in arms. My father and other relatives told me as I was growing up where things went wrong in Vietnam. Everyone today knows what went wrong in Vietnam, but those who say they support me are doing the same things that were done 35-40 years ago. They speak as if their words don’t mean anything. They say they are speaking in my best interest and the interest of our country. That they are only trying to save lives.

Then I think of September 11, 2001. I think of the pure outrage and hatred I felt for those who killed my fellow citizens. How I wanted and still want revenge and wish that the ideology that led to this event were forever wiped from the face of the Earth.

Yes, I said revenge. What’s wrong with saying what we feel? What’s wrong with calling evil, evil? When a terrorist cuts the head from an innocent person, I don’t care what his motivations are. I could care less about his “social upbringing”. I want to catch him, take a saw, place him on television and saw his head off. Then I want to tell the audience that anymore incidents of innocents dying will be met with the same results.

I want my military to kick butt and take names and not be hogtied by a politicians “conscience”. I would also appreciate these same politicians not speaking on behalf of me and calling me a hero and stating what I do is tremendous, then during the next press conference calling my brothers in arms terrorist themselves. I would also appreciate these politicians not then trying to play word games with what they say. At the very least, I would hope they would stand up for their principles. I won’t hold my breath.

I hear there are people out there who want to hold certain companies accountable for their part in slavery. You know, I really wish other Americans would try to look forward to really end divisiveness. The politics of hate? What about the effects of extorting $250 billion dollars? What will this do to the employees and their families who work for these companies?

I have never understood how anyone in the United States can honestly believe this type of drivel. I’ve been on my own since I was 18 years old. I have made my way through life by serving my country. My wife stayed home with our children when they were young and we have done without. I live within my means. The only new car I’ve ever owned is a Kia minivan. My kids will work their way through college. But these people want the rest of us to just hand over $250 billion dollars?

Back to Christmas. My kids can’t have a Christmas tree in school. We have to attend “holiday” concerts. A nativity scene being displayed in public is tantamount to murder, but people having sex in the middle of a cathedral are public entertainment! The Salvation Army can’t ring bells in front of merchants. We must honor other faiths during this time of year, including Islam, when my faith is constantly under attack? Why must I have any patience for those during Ramadan, when that same patience won’t be reciprocated?

Saddam Hussein won’t go back to court for trial because of the intervention of an American attorney? Why didn’t the Iraqi’s drag him into court in shackles? Better yet, why didn’t someone just put a bullet in his head and be done with it.

I know most of what I am saying would be construed by some as “insensitive, evil, bigoted, and unchristian like.” But you know what, I don’t care. I’m tired of seeming more and more of a stranger in my own country.

I’ve been to third world countries. Countries that some call “unspoiled” or “untainted” by the evils of America or modernity. You know what? I would much rather live in the poorest neighborhood in America that the richest village in Central America. You think we pollute here in the U.S.? Take a trip to the Philippines and visit the capitol of the entire nation, Manila. Raw sewage flows in the streets.

Don’t talk to me about poverty in this country either! I remember a time when I made less than $800 a month. I had to pay rent, make a car payment, pay bills, buy groceries, buy gas for the car, buy clothes and food for my wife and first child and save what I could. I didn’t take assistance even though I qualified for it because I was raised to care for myself and my family on my own. There are poor people in the US because they are too lazy to get up and take the world on a work themselves into a better position. $260 billion for Katrina victims isn’t enough? The evil republicans that blew up the levees must be spending it all.

“King Kong” is racist? It’s a metaphor for slavery and minority exploitation? This is sickening. Again, we can’t even make a good old fashioned monster movie because it’s racist, but movies about gay cowboys are touted as “a tragic, yet magnificent” love story? I need to wrap duct tape around my head to keep it from exploding!

I have been wearing the uniform of the United States Air Force as I’ve stated for over 19 years. I have seen a lot in that time which has made me proud and other things which just break my heart.

I wish that Americans would act as Americans. Not spoiled children. Take a moment and really think about how and why you have the freedoms you do. If you are honest with yourself, you will realize that you are tearing the fabric of this nation away and one day you’ll wake and you won’t be able to moan and complain and worship or anything else because the evil in this world will now control you and your families.

The militants who we are trying our best to kill will be in charge. You won’t be able to complain about a Christmas tree anymore because any mention of Christ will get your throat cut. If you honestly believe trying to understand the beheaders and bombers will end in peace you deserve such a fate. It won’t impact me because I’ll be dead and my family will have been sacrificed fighting to the last person for what WE believe in.

Lastly to those politicians, and you know who you are who are, constantly complaining about torture, and whining because they aren’t in power anymore, I would say, just shut the heck up. You’re not helping. If you can’t be American enough to do what’s best for this nation (not your power) then shut up. I don’t care if you previously served in the military or not. Your words show the content of your character now.

As stated in the title, I know this is a fairly rambling piece, but there are so many issues which tear me apart about my country, this really only touches the surface. Condemn me for my speech if you will. I don’t care. In my mind, you’re the one who sucks!

In service to the United States,

Robert B. Steely, MSgt, USAF