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5.0 out of 5 stars
Super Outstanding!!! This Book is Full of Wit/Wisdom & Common Sense by Charlie Daniels - A True Southern Christian Gentleman!!!!, January 15, 2010
This review is from: Ain't No Rag: Freedom, Family, and the Flag (Hardcover)
First of all, the book has a preface entitled "In America". In this section, Charlie gives the reader a basic overview of what to expect in this book. A lot of the material in the book came from his "Soapbox" articles as posted on his website, over the past several years. On his "Soapbox" articles, he addresses current topics, issues, & events that were going on, around the time his article was posted. Although there are some of these "Soapbox" articles that are just based on some of his personal experiences or topics he just wants to address. To put this book in its proper perspective, it was written sometime between 9/11/2001 and the time it was copyrighted in 2003. Although some of the "soapbox" articles, were written before 9/11/2001.
Some of the things that stood out for me in this "In America" section, included the following:
"Common Sense Through My Eyes":
If 70% of our crime is caused by drugs, why don't we spend 70% of our law enforcement budget fighting drugs.
If the United Nations has proven ineffective & anti-American, why don't we just resign, and let them move to France or somewhere, and let's stop spending our money on them.
In the World of International Politics, why don't we call a friend a friend, and an enemy an enemy.
If some people are dead set against their children hearing the Name of God, or the Pledge of Allegiance in School, why don't we give those parents vouchers so they can send their children to schools of their choice.
If we expect the men & women in our military & the police who patrol our streets to lay their lives on the line for us, why aren't they paid better?
Why do we keep giving cash to other nations, supposedly to feed the starving, when instead we could cut-out the middle man and just send them food. It would help our farmers out.
Why do we screem for more gun control, and ignore the fact that never in the history of man has a gun ever gone out and shot somebody without a finger pulling the trigger?
Why do we stand so firmly against the death sentence to some wanton killer and not say a word about the death sentence given to unborn babies?
Why do we have to be Cuban Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans or African Americans, & etc.? Is all this necessary? Can't we just all be Americans. Isn't that what we've fought for all these years?
Why do antiwar protesters always seem to forget that the reason they enjoy the right to protest is because Americans fought and won so many wars?
No one likes war, but America & Freedom are worth fighting for!!!!
Now: The Book is divided into three sections as follows:
Part One: Cowboy Logic
Part Two: Why I Love America
Part Three: Faith & Family
Cowboy Logic: JUST TO LET YOU KNOW: Charlie is a man of principle:
Example One: CMT Country Freedom Concert for the Salvation Army to benefit the victims of 9/11 invited Charlie to provide entertainment, however they wanted to know the lyrics he was going to sing. So Charlie gave them the lyrics to "Ain't No Rag". The lyrics are written in detail in the book, but bascially its a song about Our Country's Flag is not a rag, its a symbol of Basic American Values, like We believe in God, We believe in justice, in liberty, and "paraphasing" that our enemy's attack on 9/11 will not go unpunished. After receiving the lyrics the CMT folks informed Charlie that he could not perform that song, because it might be offensive to someone. They told him he could perform something else. CMT opted for political correctness. Charlie stood his ground, and turned down CMT's request for him to perform, if he could not perform "It Ain't No Rag".
Example Two: A similar incidence occurred with P.B.S., but this time it was the song "The Last Fallen Hero". This song is basically about we won't stop defending our country & our freedom, until we win the final victory over our enemies, and until the last fallen hero rests in peace. They refused to let Charlie perform this song, out of "Political Correctness", because it might offend someone. Again, Charlie declined to perform. Charlie is a man of principle, he doesn't make his choices based on "Political Correctness", or whether or not its going to offend one of our enemies.
Also in this section Charlie addresses issue after issue, which include among many:
"An Open Letter to the (Liberal) Hollywood Bunch", Loyalty & Support of our Troops, His support of Operation Iraqic Freedom, Memorial Day (He remembers that on D-Day, during WWII, all the churches in his hometown, were full of people praying for our troops & even Hollywood supported them.) Demonstrations, "How Political Correctness is harming this country", "An Open Letter to the (Liberal) Media", School Shootings, Partial Birth Abortion (the actual killing of a baby being born), Veterans, Child Abuse, Homosexuality ("Its not a normal thing, and anyone who says its a natural lifestyle, should go & stick their heads under some very cold water.") Mob Rule, Reparations, Separation of Church & State, Radical Islam, Eco Terrorists, Gasoline Prices, Fiscal Responsibility, Tort Reform, NAFTA, Napster, Trash TV, Greed, "No Mrs. Clinton, it doesn't take a village, it just takes a family." Bill Clinton's Legacy (Kinky sex with Monica in the Oval Office), and many, many other issues.
Part Two: Why I Love America
This section basically describes why Charlie loves "America The Beautiful, The Country", the greatest country in the world. He loves Alaska, the Rocky Mountains, Back Roads, New York City, The Grand Ole Orpy, Music, America's Finest (Our soldiers, firefighters, law enforcement personnel), Fox News (fair & balanced) & The O'Riley Factor, "An Open Letter to President George W. Bush", {thanking him for doing the right thing and protecting our country, while being constantly harrassed by the liberal media}, NASCAR, Football, and many other things he loves about America.
Part Three: Faith & Family:
Charlie defends attacks against "the so-called Christian Right". He defends respectible ministers like Pat Robertson, and the late Jerry Farwell. He addresses the Ten Commandments (They are from God, not Charlie), Christian Music (Christian Music & Secular music can be compatible), Columbine (includes praise for the young lady who stood up for her belief in God, and was murdered), the other Commandment that Jesus gave before facing the cross, "Love One Another", "with the exception of the commandment to love God with all our hearts, the others are all wrapped up in the new one that Jesus gave." (Wow, how peaceful things would be if everyone practiced this.), Heros like Billy Graham, True Saints like Mother Teresa, Habitat for Humanity, Kindness (practicing the "Golden Rule"), Simple Things (life's best memories are simple things, not things based on social status or accolades & etc.), Caring for Children, Thankfulness ("The freely given salvation of Jesus Christ is still available to those who sincerely seek it, & for that we should be most thankful", Charlie is thankful, that God has saved him through Jesus Christ), and many other topics. Also, in this section there is a story entitled "A Carolina Christmas Carol". This is a story about Charlie's Family Life, including a Christmas Story. It's basically a parable about Santa Claus, & about the power of believing.
In conclusion, Charlie puts his heart, work, & money "where his mouth is". He is an active member of St. Judes Hospital Professional Advisory Board, He also performs regularly for The Angelus in Hudson, Florida, this is a home for people who cannot take care of themselves, its for the extremely handicapped. He says the Angelus is one of the genuine examples of love he's ever seen. He & his band perform, and have performed for our troops, for years & years, all over the world. Lately he & his band have been performing extensively for our troops in Iraq, Afganistan & on the Border Area between North & South Korea.
This book has been praised by people such as Sean Hannity, Hank Williams, Jr., Toby Keith, The Reverend Franklin Graham, Lt.Col. Oliver North and G.Gordon Liddy. This is a great book, written by a great American Legend, in my opinion, the one and only Charlie Daniels. Thanks and May God Bless!!!!
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