Although I don't with everything she said, I can appreciate her point.
America at war
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.
Stand Up for America Rally Speech By: 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 US 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. 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 acknowledgment 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!
America at war
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.
Stand Up for America Rally Speech By: 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 US 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. 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 acknowledgment 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!
