Flag of My Fathers

Comments5

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  dusk arising August 25th, 2021 12:16

  I can feel this though I'm a Brit miles away, only a passive observer of USA in newsreel and movies. Any brit could ask the same of our nation.
  
  It seems there is a huge collusion between empowered politicians and big business to maintain things as they are. Even through the disgusting production of arms and sending young soldiers to their death to maintain the need for arms production.
  
  You, we, everybody should be asking your questions and demanding answers. Though we must not become blind to the other nations who will take advantage of us for their own brand of greed.

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  Accidental Poet August 25th, 2021 18:33

  Well said Coyote. Somebody's getting rich, and its not the people. 🤔

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  Doggerel Dave August 25th, 2021 20:18

  As above, really - Owing to time difference I've come late...
  
  Mid poem there's a standout line (and a bit) for me: "I was a bible thumping patriot once” The questions How? When? And Why? spring to mind, because to me, from my slightly jaundiced viewpoint, change in individuals seems to occur so rarely…
  

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    CoyoteAugust 25th, 2021 22:49

    I was very young and there was a woman involved...lol

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    Doggerel DaveAugust 25th, 2021 23:29

    No underlying moral principle then - just "Cherchez la femme"...................lol

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  L. B. Mek August 26th, 2021 03:17

  'The government tells me 'get a job'
  but the corporation says 'get an education'
  The University hands me a bill
  and when I can't pay
  they tell me 'get a job'
  
  It's all fucked up Flag of my fathers
  
  It doesn't make any sense'..
  Dear Poet
  firstly, let me applaud your bravery
  its hard to word those thought's you know
  wont be received well, by a majority
  that wants to pigeonhole you
  based on your momentary, opinions
  so in that sense, I really liked your write..
  but, let me try to explain
  how we're made to war against each other
  so we never take our war and aim it
  at those that create our, FUBAR everyday reality..
  by naming and stating
  'Chinaman', 'Indian' and 'gays'
  you're exemplifying the same close minded attitude
  that has people label you as a 'communist'
  for simply wanting, to live in a country
  your forefather's, spilled their blood for
  (although, they wiped out
  an entire population to achieve their goals)..
  this is exactly the divisive polarising politics
  that insures, we the lowly majority
  never hold our elected politicians, accountable..
  see, by giving us the illusion of choice
  and screaming 'Democracy' every passing second
  they want us to think, we are somehow responsible
  for their failures, so instead of us being angry at them
  we turn our frustrations on each other..
  check what percentage, 12 million is
  against the USA's total population...
  are you telling me, that tiny figure can account
  for all the missing jobs in your beloved country?
  does the maid, the dishwasher, the parking attendant
  day labourer
  really seem like jobs you are fighting to get?
  cos that's the jobs the 'Real' immigrants
  who can't speak a word of English are being given!
  so no, dear poet
  the 'Chinaman' isn't 'stealing' your jobs
  the mismanaged 'Economy' is to blame
  for your lack of jobs,
  the federal bank pumping millions of cash
  to inflate that threadbare sense of stability
  whilst operating in that chaotic
  'Capitalism', vicious cycle
  of inevitable boom and bust, is causing
  the 'Inflation' that's killing your job prospects...!
  Clearly, you are a logical person
  and so I urge you, read
  see between the lines, learn
  to differentiate between 'their' façade
  and the everyday reality, you witness for yourslef.
  Don't just settle, for that easy trigger of 'Hate'
  like all the rest...
  (thanks for sharing, dear Poet
  apologies in advance
  if my comments cause offence)

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  Coyote August 26th, 2021 04:26

  Wow, where to begin. First of all, thank you for your very thoughtful comment. To clarify, the Chinaman and Indian don't refer to immigrants but the exportation of manufacturing jobs to the east. The 12,000,000 immigrants refer to those who came here seeking a better life but are being deported. I'm asking my country, when will they be allowed to settle here and enjoy the benefits the rest of us, children of Immigrants that we are, do? The poem is written from the point of view of one who feels that his country can and should do better.