Yesterday, Iraqi soldiers hanged a woman because she waved at
American troops. The day before that, an Iraqi tank fired on Iraqi
citizens because they were leaving Basra. They have weapons stored
in schools and hospitals and have positioned anti-aircraft guns next to
homes in Baghdad. And some of us wonder why we want to remove
Sadaam's regime. He is an evil man and will not go peacefully into the
night. Some of us think the US is wrong to get involved. As you can tell
from my messages this week, I am vehemently opposed to the protesting
against the war and I think God expects us to right the wrongs over
there. We've been blessed with riches unimaginable to most of the world.
"To whom much is given, much is expected" and it's incumbent upon us
to use God's blessings wisely. We (the US) don't have the luxury of just
sitting back and pretending that evil doesn't exist in the world. We
MUST work to bring freedom to those that are oppressed and to
maintain the freedom we have in this country. We're doing that
with our coalition partners in Iraq.
Bob Johnston
I would like to thank Bob of Starfish for sharing this as well as the speech below.
Last week, the Shelby County Alabama Legislative Delegation hosted a
"Stand Up for America Rally." More than 1,200 people attended including
featured speakers Chief Justice Roy Moore, Adjutant General Mark Bowen
and Alabama State Auditor Beth Chapman.
Attached is a copy of Mrs. Chapman's speech, which resulted in five
standing ovations, tremendous applause and an encore. It's a short read
and well worth it.
I hope you enjoy it as we continue to "Stand up for America!"
Stand Up for America Rally Speech
~ Beth Chapman~
I'm here tonight because men and women of the United States military
have given their lives for my freedom. I am not here tonight because
Sheryl Crowe, Rosie O'Donnell, Martin Sheen, George Clooney, Jane
Fonda or Phil Donahue, sacrificed their lives for me.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was not movie stars or musicians,
but the United States Military who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima,
the jungles of Vietnam, and the beaches of Normandy. Tonight, I say we
should support the President of the United States and the U.S. Military
and tell the liberal, tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing, hippy, tie-dyed
liberals to go make their movies and music and whine somewhere else.
After all, if they lived in Iraq, they wouldn't be allowed the freedom
of speech they're being given here today. Ironically, they would be put
to death at the hands of Sadam Husssein or Osama Bin Laden. I want to
know how the very people who are against war because of the loss of
life, can possibly be the same people who are for abortion?
They are the same people who are for animal rights but against the
rights of the unborn. The movie stars say they want to go to Iraq and
serve as "human shields" for the Iraqis. I say let them buy a one-way
ticket and go.
No one likes war. I hate war! But the one thing I hate more is the fact
that this country has been forced into war-innocent people have lost
their lives - - and there but for the grace of God, it could have been
my brother, my husband, or even worse my own son.
On December 7, 1941, there are no records of movie stars treading the
blazing waters of Pearl Harbor.
On September 11, 2001; there are no photos of movie stars standing as
"human shields" against the debris and falling bodies ascending from
the World Trade Center. There were only policemen and firemen -
-underpaid civil servants who gave their all with nothing expected in
return.
When the USS Cole was bombed, there were no movie stars guarding the
ship - - where were the human shields then?
If America's movie stars want to be human shields, let them shield the
gang-ridden streets of Los Angeles, or New York City, let them shield
the lives of the children of North Birmingham whose mothers lay them
down to sleep on the floor each night to shelter them from stray
bullets.
If they want to be human shields, I say let them shield the men and
women of honesty and integrity that epitomizes courage and embody the
spirit of freedom by wearing the proud uniforms of the United States
Military. Those are the people who have earned and deserve shielding!
Throughout the course of history, this country has remained free, not
because of movie stars and liberal activists, but because of brave men
and women who hated war too. However, they lay down their lives so that
we all may live in freedom. After all - "What greater love hath no man,
that he lay down his life for his friend," or in this case a country.
We should give our military honor and acknowledgement and not let their
lives be in vain. If you want to see true human shields, walk through
Arlington Cemetery. There lie human shields, heroes, and the BRAVE
Americans who didn't get on television and talk about being a human
shield - they were human shields.
I thank God tonight for freedom - - those who bought and paid for it
with their lives in the past - - those who will protect it in the
present and defend it in the future.
America has remained silent too long! God-fearing people have remained
silent too long!
We must lift our voices united in a humble prayer to God for guidance
and the strength and courage to sustain us throughout whatever the
future may hold.
After the tragic events of Sept. 11th, my then eleven -year-old son
said terrorism is a war against them and us and if you're not one of
us, then you're one of them.
So in closing tonight, let us be of one accord, let us stand proud, and
let us be the human shields of prayer, encouragement and support for the
President, our troops and their families and our country.
May God bless America, the land of the free, the home of the brave and
the greatest country on the face of this earth!
This set is dedicated to honoring our men and
women who put their lives on the line to keep
our country and our freedoms safe.
As our country faces war, our
sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers,
fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
and friends will step forward and do their duty
to protect and serve our God and our Country.
They have not received the level of support and
honor they deserve so I dedicate this set to
their honor and support and add my prayers
for their safety and protection as they serve in
these perilous times.
I Salute You!!!!
