Wherein We Disrespect Soldiers...

[protege]

So does that make me just somewhat unAmerican?

I've been called "unAmerican," simply because I drive Japanese and English vehicles. Usually, those comments directed at me...come from bitter old people who are still upset about Pearl Harbor

One of those people would be my grandmother. She'll actually bitch for hours about how various items--clothing, computer parts, cars, etc.--are made in other countries...or even by foreign firms with plants here. Never mind that those companies spend a crapload of cash here--utility bills, property taxes, sales taxes delivery fees, wages (and jobs for local people!), the various costs with acquiring land, building the plant, etc. All of those items go into various coffers in *this* country, not even including the sales at local stores/dealers/resellers, etc.

[downforit2008]

I work at Walmart, which has 95 percent of it's stuff imported from China. It doesn't mean we're unpatriotic or un-American though. But I'm glad this moron isn't coming to my store.

Months back, a customer made known to me the facts about the flagpole we have outside the doors that flies the U.S. flag. He complained that the flagpole is tilted and bent, which is barely slightly and only noticeable if you go right up to it close enough to touch the metal. He also carried on that "as a Vietnam veteran, that bent flagpole is disrespectful to military veterans" and that I should replace it immediately.

Tired of his incessant nagging, I said impatiently, "Sir, I served in the Army as well just a few years ago and I don't see any disrespect. I just see a flagpole that a lot of idiots have backed their cars into over the past couple of years. What do you want me to do about this? Drive down to Home Depot and pay $3000 for a 100-foot flagpole to be carried back here on my small Pontiac?"

He huffed and stalked away without another word. Just to be safe, I went to my department manager and told him the customer's advice to replace the flagpole. He just laughed and said he didn't understand how it was disrespectful at all, and I replied, "Yeah, I don't get it either."