Jay Leno wrote this; it's the Jay Leno we don't often see....
As most of you know I am not a President Bush
fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush,
it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark.
'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and
came across some Poll data I found rather hard to
believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent
of Americans are unhappy with the direction the
country is headed and 69 percent of the country is
unhappy with the performance of the President.
In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and
want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I
started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A.. Is it that we have electricity and
running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having
air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these
unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a
grocery store at any time and see more food in
moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars
and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic
Ocean without having to present identification papers
as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and
safe motels we would find along the way that can
provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants
with varying cuisine from around the world is just
not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our
car, emergency workers show up and provide services to
help all and even send a helicopter to take you to
the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of
Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in
the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained
firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch
equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you,
your family, and your belongings.
K.. Or if, while at home watching one of
your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler
intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a
bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your
family against attack or loss.
L.. This all in the backdrop of a
neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and
pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of
teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social
and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of
everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks
unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of
ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No
wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great
disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we
are. The most blessed people in the world who do
nothing but complain about what we don't have, and
what we hate about the country instead of thanking the
good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who
took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The
president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating?
Is this the same president who guided the nation in
the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut
taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could
this be the same guy who has been called every name in
the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled
ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The
commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is
out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the
news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much,
make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around
for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?
Think about it......are you upset at the President
because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it
because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss
your sorry ungrateful behind every day. Make no
mistake about it.
The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have
volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died
for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this
country. They didn't have to go. They are able to
refuse to go and end up with either a ''general''
discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or,
worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge
after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in
the minds of 69 percent of Americans?
Say what you want but I blame it on the
media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in
bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood
and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade
at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets
are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells,
and when criticized, try to defend their actions by
'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why
they tried to allow a murderer like OJ. Simpson to
write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if
he did he would have done it this way......Insane!
Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York
Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start
being grateful for all we have as country. There is
exponentially more good than bad. We are among the
most blessed people on Earth and should thank God
several times a day, or at least be thankful and
appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out
of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms
tearing up the country from one end to another, and
with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks,
'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of
Allegiance?'
Jay Leno