Pledge of Allegiance<\/a>, which I have conveniently linked here for your viewing and listening pleasure. In these trying times marked by strife and division within our nation, I strongly encourage you to take a moment to engage with this message. It may serve as a catalyst for introspection about your feelings toward our great country, prompting you to assess what aspects of it resonate positively with you, what might be lacking, and what actions you can take to help guide us back toward a harmonious path.<\/p>\nI earnestly hope you have taken the opportunity to watch the video, as I believe it carries significant weight when juxtaposed against the actions of those who choose to kneel, refrain from placing their hands over their hearts, or engage in conversations while the National Anthem is performed. It has often been remarked that the liberties enshrined in our Constitution grant individuals the freedom to express discontent or disrespect towards our nation and its flag. While it is true that the Constitution permits such behavior, it certainly does not endorse it. The next time the National Anthem resonates, I encourage you to stand with respect, place your hand or hat over your heart, and if you are among the honored veterans of our military, render a crisp hand salute. I invite you to experience the swell of pride that accompanies such an act, for it certainly touches my heart deeply, as I hope it does for you<\/p>\n
It is time for all of us to recommit to the foundational ideals this nation stands for. One cannot help but reminisce about the aftermath of the tragic attacks that led to the collapse of the World Trade Center Towers. It may feel distant now, but do you recall how we interacted during that time? Kindness flourished, civility replaced road rage, and instead of gesturing with rudeness, we waved to one another with genuine friendliness. Let us strive to resurrect that spirit of unity and make a concerted effort to reflect the better versions of ourselves that emerged from such a dark period. It should not take a national tragedy to inspire us toward the ideal of being One Nation, Under God, united in liberty and justice for all.<\/p>\n
That brings me to the conclusion of my thoughts for this week. I sincerely hope that, if nothing else, this reflection incited a moment of pause for you. As the lyrics remind us, \u201cCome on people, smile on your brother, let\u2019s all get together and try to love one another.\u201d Can we not aspire to embody that spirit? Is it not worth the effort? If you resonate with my words, I would appreciate your consideration in sharing this message. And if you find yourself in disagreement, that is perfectly acceptable too. Until we meet again next Friday, I wish you peace, and may God bless!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As we approach the day that follows today\u2014commonly known as Friday\u2014I find myself in contemplation about what topics I might explore in this week’s writing that would captivate your attention and keep you fully engaged […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_daextrevo_audio_file_creation_date":"","_daextrevo_text_to_speech":"","_daextrevo_document_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/TH092024.jpg?fit=200%2C200&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13356,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=13356","url_meta":{"origin":14244,"position":0},"title":"It is Finger Pointing Time!","author":"Tom Lind","date":"January 7, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 It is the day after a group of thugs stormed the Capitol. \u00a0So, in typical fashion before anyone is identified, before any investigation has been completed, the finger pointing begins.\u00a0 Most notable among the finger pointers are Chuck Schumer and Mitt Romney.\u00a0 And, as ludicrous as it may sound,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/UncleSamCrying_byJamesCorcoran.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1252,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=1252","url_meta":{"origin":14244,"position":1},"title":"Stronger Gun Laws?","author":"Tom Lind","date":"January 10, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Recently a link to a website was circulated on Facebook that encouraged one to sign a pledge for stronger gun laws that would \u201ckeep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and save lives\u201d. This pledge means absolutely nothing. It has no substance and it has no purpose, other\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=21"},"img":{"alt_text":"Ohio_State_Seal,_1967.svg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Ohio_State_Seal_1967.svg_-148x150.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":148,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=148","url_meta":{"origin":14244,"position":2},"title":"Government, go away!","author":"Tom Lind","date":"May 29, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"I don't know about you, but I for one am getting quite tired of government intervention in my life. I am tired of government telling me how to drive my car, how to prepare my food, how to raise my kids, and telling me what I can, or cannot do\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Rants"","block_context":{"text":"Rants","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=23"},"img":{"alt_text":"No-Big-Government","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/05\/No-Big-Government-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14451,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=14451","url_meta":{"origin":14244,"position":3},"title":"A State of Confusion","author":"Tom Lind","date":"March 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"I am utterly perplexed by the current situation in our great nation. I fail to comprehend how it is possible that when a vast majority of citizens elect an individual and entrust them with office based on the promises made, it is acceptable for a minority to actively oppose the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Opinion"","block_context":{"text":"Opinion","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=21"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/TH-03-03-25.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":410,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=410","url_meta":{"origin":14244,"position":4},"title":"Unique Cincinnati","author":"Tom Lind","date":"April 6, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"I have been a life long resident of either the City of Cincinnati or the Greater Cincinnati Area. Cincinnati is my home and that will never change. I am proud to call my self a Cincinnatian. Cincinnati has a lot of things that make it unique. Cincinnati style chili, first\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"4-way","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/4-way-150x150.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14109,"url":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?p=14109","url_meta":{"origin":14244,"position":5},"title":"Reflection on Patriotism and July 4th","author":"Tom Lind","date":"July 4, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Patriotism is a powerful force that has been at the heart of America since its inception, pulsing through the veins of this great nation with unrelenting strength. Every year on the 4th of July, Americans come together to celebrate the courage, vision, and determination that led to the founding of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Commentary"","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/?cat=13"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/townehouse.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/IdolizedPositiveKangaroo-size_restricted.gif?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p38YRh-3HK","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14244"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14249,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14244\/revisions\/14249"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/townehouse.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/p>\n