It is not the function of government to keep the citizens from falling into error —
it is the function of the citizens to keep the government from falling into error.
Truth does not just enlighten us, it obligates us.
Ever since I landed at Ellis Island, on my 12th Birthday, as a Palestinian refugee, I’ve been carrying the dream of returning back to my home in Palestine. As a 12 year old shepherd boy, who could not speak English, I had no idea what life held in store for me in America.
Now, 65 years later, the dream has morphed into a WISH FOR PEACE IN OUR WORLD THAT WILL HEAL ALL OF HUMANITY.
During the 65 years, I have seen the American Dream morph into the American Nightmare. It’s not that I’m anti-American and it’s not that I’m not patriotic. What is patriotism anyway? Though I’ve traveled around the world and have seen many wonders, I still love America. I love living here and except for the first 12 years, it’s all I’ve known.
Still the dream of that shepherd boy lives on. And I wonder why should anyone be denied as to where they want to live? Why do we have borders? Why I am not allowed to live in the land of my birth?
It is not the function of government to keep the citizens from falling into error—it is the function of the citizens to keep the government from falling into error.
In my view dissent is patriotic and it’s in the U.S. constitution.
I can’t help but wonder, if enough Germans dissented, perhaps we could have avoided the Holocaust of the Third Reich. If enough Americans dissented we could have avoided both Bush’s Iraq wars. If enough people dissented we would not be in the mess we are in, in America. DISSENT IS PATRIOTIC!
Hitler told his people: “My country right or wrong support it.” I say nay: “My country, when right support it, when wrong fix it and AMERICA NEEDS FIXING!”
I ask you to watch this (23 minutes) video “Let Your Life Be a Friction to Stop the Machine” http://www.youtube.com/watch?
During this Holy Season of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and all the reasons we celebrate Holidays, tell me if it is wrong to want America to be the land of the Free, or should we only blindly obey the status quo as patriots.
I don’t want to bring America down, I just want to improve it and hold it up as the beacon of hope for all future generations. I want America to live up to its promise.
In the name of all that is Holy I also ask you to watch:
1) “A Dried Pen” this (8 minutes & 5 seconds) video is about Gaza by Mai Zaru: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
2) “The People and the Olive”. this video is in Vimeo (2 minutes & 5 seconds): http://thepeopleandtheolive.
These 2 have to do with the Holy Land, the land of Jesus, Moses, Mohammad and most all the Saints. After seeing these videos tell me what is Holy about that. Tell me: Why should the Holy Land be so desecrated? Why should only Jews own the Holy Land that should belong to ALL the people and ALL the faiths? After all— WE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF IBRAHIM!
How can we go to bed after all the cookies and gingerbread and not feel the guilt that we are supporting those Colonial/Zionist/Jewish elements that continue the Holocaust in Palestine? What I learned in 77 years, is to have faith in the Human Spirit and to know that we are better than that! That we can make a difference! That if we put our minds to it, we can make this world a better place. And it begins with me and it begins with you! We must demand that America lives up to its promise of freedom and self-determination for ALL, not just for Americans and Israelis. Know the Truth and the Truth shall set you Free.
Before I sign off and wish you Happy Holidays I want you to:
A) Look at the story below of the dog with only two legs. About a year ago I saw a similar story about a woman who was born with no arms. She learned to use her feet as arms, learned to drive a car and raised several children! This gives me hope and inspires me to believe in the Human Spirit and the tenacity of life to survive and thrive under adverse conditions. It reminds me of the proverb: “I complained I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet.”
B) Check out my blog: www.yusif.org My friend, Paul, (in Houston, Texas) is re-doing my blog and it is a work in progress. I don’t do Facebook, I do face to face. My blog is the tool I use to communicate and I only can do that with the help of people like Paul P. & Kim B. who do it for me, as all I do is draft the information. On my blog you can explore many videos & resources that will open your eyes to see the Truth!
Wishing you, and all your loved ones, a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and all the holidays of this season.
Most of all, Happy, Healthy & Peaceful New Year!