Allow me to be blunt. Leave. Just leave. When something happens in Marion County, I see "That's Marion County for you" or "That's Columbia for you," all the time on social media. May I be blunt again to say that is something that rubs me the wrong way.
If you don't like Marion County or Columbia, then leave. It's that simple. You could actually do something about it to make it better. We are a free country, and we do have rights such as voting and even attending meetings. As someone who has covered all of the different meetings, I can tell you, they are not attended by many.
The same holds true for our country. If you do not like the United States then leave. It is easy to get in, so it should be just as easy to get out.
Men and women for hundreds of years have fought for our freedom. Our freedom includes the right to disagree, vote, have a voice and so much more.
Yet instead of respecting those men and women, so-called "keyboard warriors" think they can do everything so much better and will spend their day typing away about how awful everything is while not actually doing anything constructive to make things better.
Why? It’s concept I do not understand at all.
Another thing I do not understand is why, as a democratic country, are we allowing ourselves to move towards a more socialist country when we all have studied and witnessed socialist countries become oppressed? Yet, there is a large movement in the country to do so.
If you want to be a part of a socialist country, then by all means move to one and experience it firsthand and see how great it is.
My preference is I rather be free. I prefer to wear my red, white and blue and be grateful for all the privileges that have been afforded to me such as being able to openly believe in Jesus and to be able to say who I want to serve in the government. My preferred candidates may not be the ones elected, but at least I have those choices when I vote. If I do not agree with something, I have the right to contact one of my elected officials without worry or fear that I am "an enemy of the state."
While we have the freedom to complain, I do believe we take it a little too far. Many "keyboard warriors" have probably never served in the military. They have never been on the front line fighting for our freedom.
When I see all the complaints and craziness, I consider it a slap in our veterans' faces. They fought and fought hard for us because they love their country. That should be respected. I'll admit I'm against kneeling during the anthem, I'm against burning the flag and I truly believe those are things that insult our military and all who served.
Those men and women fought hard for so much. They fought for everyone so that everyone, black, white and all other races, can be free. I cannot stress enough that they sacrificed for all to be free and have the same liberties.
There is nothing wrong with standing up when you see and/or feel an injustice. In a democratic society, it is not only a right, but it is actually a responsibility to see everyone is treated equally following upon the laws of God.
But that is just me. That is my grumble. I love Columbia, Marion County, Mississippi and the United States of America. I love the veterans and every member who has served in the military. I understand that type of service is a sacrifice, even to the point of paying the ultimate sacrifice.
One of the greatest testaments of our veterans may simply be that many will stand in silence knowing they helped protect the right of the person who is doing the complaining.
To all who have served, may God always protect you and shower you with blessings and may God bless our country, state, county and city … and even the keyboard warriors. -
Susan Amundson is news/features editor of The Columbian-Progress. She may be reached at (601) 736-2611 or
samundson@columbianprogress.com.
