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DoG's avatar

No comments yet? FIrst! ROFL

Srsly, what a banger! I restacked it and subbed for a year.

I’d post my ‘f’ing A’ meme here but this dadgum reply window won’t let you put an image, somebody fix it!

And everyone share the F out of this. Subscribe, buy Stone a beverage, anything, but share this far and wide.

<insert starstky & hutch ‘do it’ meme here>

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Very gracious of you to say, Sir Duke of Good! ☺️ Very happy you enjoyed this one!

Also very grateful for the sub - appreciate it muchly 🫡

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DoG's avatar

:D

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Elizabeth Schneider's avatar

Hmm, I had not considered the distinction. I want to be proud of America. I am beyond sad at how our own citizens have been poisoned in myriad ways…not gonna lie. Deeply and profoundly sad. It has made me wonder how many people are lucid enough to defend America between mind control, pharmaceuticals, economic warfare and mafia-style drug trade. Thanks for posing another way to think about America as opposed to the US. I am choosing to spend the day in contemplation about what America means to me rather than participating in fireworks. Have a lovely celebration.

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Stone Bryson's avatar

It's a concept that has been bouncing around in my brain for a few months, and with our 249th birthday approaching I decided to buckle down and get it done.

Part of the reason why it's been on my mind is due to my reactions to things. I drop my own criticisms of the US frequently - you have read them - yet when I see others dropping blanket-indictments of America I have felt both angry and defensive.

I wondered why (I don’t like contradictions within myself), then one night it hit me: "America is in your soul, while the 'US' is an exterior force." After that it was just meditating on it to make sure I had it right - AND could explain it well - before publication 🙂

Anyhow, I am not going out for fireworks either; a quiet evening at home, cooking up some Bacon and eggs (and maybe some hash browns - still undecided LOL), and enjoying the peace.

It's a simple life, but I enjoy living it... ☺️ Thanks as always, for your wonderful comments 🥰

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Elizabeth Schneider's avatar

I thought about your words. America is in your soul. Interesting. When I was with the jet-set crowd, I felt like I was literally losing my soul. I was also a Mayflower Society girl. Thanks for giving me pause to consider. Song of the day: Billy Joel It’s All About Soul. I cannot tell you how many times I have played that song the last 13 years.

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Elizabeth Schneider's avatar

One thing I am absolutely certain of is that if the general population had your ability for self-reflection, we’d be in a better place. As for simple, I have come to adore simple and peaceful. When I was a “fancy girl”, I used to play a rather cheesy song by No Doubt -Simple Kind of Life prior to being placed on parade, kind of like a racehorse or something. Anyway, I longed for a quiet, simple, peaceful life. I think you just have your priorities straight. Enjoy….I definitely vote for hash browns! Go for it!

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Most kind of you, Elizabeth - and I too am firmly in the 'simple and peaceful camp'.

Oh, and FYI - I went with the hash browns, too ;-)

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Elizabeth Schneider's avatar

Yay!

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Elizabeth Schneider's avatar

Oh! I learned that George Harrison said that had he not read Diary of a Yogi and developed a spiritual practice he would have been an “awful human being”. I thought that was really cool. I did not know that about him.

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Jerrilyn Colangelo's avatar

Everyone should read this. It is excellent, it captures who America is

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Most appreciated, Jerrilyn - gratified you enjoyed it 🙂

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Annette kimball's avatar

A lovely essay, heartfelt and honest! You have a fine talent for prose, great wordsmith!

Thank you for that….and for the re-runs😉

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Very gracious of you, Annette - thanks for saying that, Happy you enjoyed it... :-)

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

This is one of your most beautiful written essays Stone. What a wonderful tribute to America! You capture her very essence of her identity as not only just a physical place, but also as an idea and spiritual power that transcends borders. It's inspiring to think about the lasting impact the United States has on the hearts and minds of those who dream and aspire for a much better life. I think of my grandfather leaving his beloved Ukraine escaping to the welcoming arms of America. Had he stayed there he would have surely died in a genocide.

Thank you for writing this one. 🇺🇸

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Stone Bryson's avatar

What a lovely comment, Charlotte - thank you so very much <3 I am very gratified that you enjoyed it.

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EK MtnTime's avatar

Wow!! I’m catching up on all the posts I had no time to get to over the last several days. How happy I was reading this post ♥️ This nearly encapsulates how I feel about America! I bleed red, white, and blue! I’m a patriot through and through. I hadn’t thought about the difference between the U.S. and our America but you are correct. Although, I think there are more people who love America in D.C. today than in other years.

Obama Hussein hates every bit of America and the “American Way of Life”, especially whitey. Which is why we declined so sharply during his 8. Long. Years! Then it was just a rinse and repeat on steroids for the last 4 years during the third Obama administration.

Trump isn’t perfect and there’s a handful+ of things I wish he would do but otherwise, he is truly a breath of fresh air. In his administration, I believe there are many people who feel as we do, proud of our Republic, and want to reverse everything evil thing Obama carried out.

Yet, unfortunately, I believe (for whatever that’s worth) the sanity in the White House will be short lived because the evil Cabal hasn’t stopped working or diminished in the slightest and the midterms are going to be the proving ground. IF we can return to paper ballots and electronic voting is outlawed we may have a fighting chance.

Thank you for your wonderful words and for being a proud, fellow American. Happy belated Independence Day 🇺🇸🥳

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Stone Bryson's avatar

As always, EK, your comments are always powerful and on-point. Obviously there are things Trump has done with which I disagree, and I fed up with his attacks on Massie, but I STILL think we dodged a bullet with Harris. I mean, can you IMAGINE what nightmares would be unfolding right now?!?! I shudder to think.

And I agree - if we can FINALLY get rid of electronic balloting, this whole thing shifts. I would wager cold hard coin places like California and Illinois are NOT nearly as Leftist as the recent elections suggest, and we would see that unfold if we actually HAD 'fair elections.' Not holding my breath on that one, BUT... there IS hope.

Thanks so you so much for your kind and encouraging comment - really appreciate it! *salute

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EK MtnTime's avatar

I totally agree on all of that! I pray for paper ballots and the return of sanity and integrity for every election. The midterms could prove to be tumultuous if voting machines are still in service.

Thanks for your kind words ♥️

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Ken Macko's avatar

I think the most important statement you make here is your last. So sad and so true.

“Sadly, that now includes the United States itself.”

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Thanks for that, Ken - hopefully we can get to the point where it is no longer true🤞🏻

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Ken Macko's avatar

🤞🤞

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The Mighty Humanzee's avatar

There are the progeny of Woodrow Wilson who think that we are a cacophony of disparate voices, and that we need to be guided. This is at odds with writing the chapters in our books of our lives.

We were thinking alike this week.

https://culturalcourage.substack.com/p/republic-of-conscience

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Stone Bryson's avatar

We most certainly were! Fantastic work 🫡

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Cindy Akins's avatar

Very well done!

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Thank you so much, Cindy! Appreciate ya always ☺️

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Deborah T. Hewitt's avatar

Fantastic writing Stone! And love how you separate America and the U.S. It's all so true!

We were on a similar plane for the 4th. Also, as an immigrant, I am so grateful for what America provided my family. I still get teary-eyed knowing how proud my dad was to bring us here, and how much he loved our adopted country. He worked hard, took every opportunity afforded, and did everything to defend her. We were very proud to become citizens. Great piece! ox

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Stone Bryson's avatar

How very kind of you, Deborah - thank you!

I also appreciate hearing your perspective. The immigrant (REAL immigrants like you and your family, not the current invaders) experience is such a vital part of 'America', so it's important to understand and value it. I'm glad you gave us a little peak into here... :-)

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Craving Ratio's avatar

I really loved this post. I can see the heart put in it.

Thought I would share a fun fact. If it wasn't for Delaware being the first and only Baptist colony and the Baptists standing up for religious freedom (which is what is really behind the freedom of speech) then America might have ended up with a "State Religion" and just another crappy outpost of England.

This fact alone is what makes America different from anywhere else on Earth. And we must know that if this place falls, then so does religious freedom and all other freedoms.

If there is anyone to thank, it's the Baptists who stood strong in the face of persecution not only in America but through the inquisition until now.

In God We Trust!

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Very happy you enjoyed this one, brother - I really DID put a lot into it :-)

And those are some interesting tidbits about Delaware and the Baptists, nuggets of which I was unaware. They really put things into perspective, don't they?

We really are the most unique nation in human history, and I am grateful every day (and I know you are as well) that I was born here. I never want to take that for granted.

Thanks so much for the gracious comment *salute

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Lex Rex, Esq.'s avatar

Great article. I wish I wrote it. My words usually come off like, “dey tuk ur jerbs”

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Stone Bryson's avatar

"I wish I wrote it" is one of the best compliments a writer can receive; thanks so much, Lex 🫡

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Sane Francisco's avatar

Both great and flawed… agreed! Happy 4th, Stoners! 🗽✨

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Stone Bryson's avatar

To you as well ☺️

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Jimmy's avatar

The bad cat sent me… respect!

Independence Day

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Thanks, Jimmy - appreciate ya 🫡

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Cameron M. Bailey's avatar

An excellent post, Stone. Thank you for it.

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Thank YOU, Cameron, really appreciate you saying so 🙂

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Dee Rambeau's avatar

💪🏻💪🏻🫡💥

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Stone Bryson's avatar

Thanks, brother - right back atcha 🫡💥🇺🇸

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