Brock Strasser, "Idiot American"

Bigger Stronger Leaner Competitive Bodybuilding
1

I don’t know, after thinking about the terrorist acts we have witnessed this week tonight,
I am not sure if maybe I am an idiot, maybe I am a lunatic, a racist, naïve, or just a plain bastard. But I’ll tell you what I do know for sure though.

In the 1890’s my dad’s great grandfather Saul lived in Russia with his 8 brothers and sisters on a grand estate. Saul’s family were all physicians and professors in a university and they were wealthy. They had butlers and maids and servants of all kinds. Life was good for them. Until one day when the Czar decided he wanted all the Jews out of the country…

Most of Saul’s family was murdered, raped, tortured, their estates burned to the ground, their valuables looted. Saul and his brother Joseph were the only two who made it out alive as they slept in haystacks during the day and scurried towards the west under the cover of night. Finally, with every ruble they had left in the world, they purchased two one way tickets in steerage aboard a boat that was headed to NYC. And off they went.

When they landed in NY (Ellis Island I presume) they were welcomed into this country with open arms. Neither of them spoke English and these two great scholars of medicine had to find work as taxidermists. Eventually, after a few years, they met some Polish Jews in NYC and married two Polish Jewesses. Life was tough in the early years, the two couples lived in a 3 room tenement building for over a decade and saved every nickel they ever made.

In time, they had enough money to open a furrier. And in time they would have many children and this furrier business would grow and prosper and make them wealthy beyond their dreams. In fact, several of my 3rd and 4th cousins own one of the largest furriers in NYC, started way back in 1909.

Sauls son, my grandfather was a pious man, a peaceful man. He was fortunate to have the time to study Torah and was quite the Talmudic scholar. But when war broke out in Europe and when war was declared on the United States by Japan, my family and this man felt compelled to enlist in the US Army. My grandfather realized what America had done for his family and he was appreciative. There was no way he was going to allow another country to hurt America. He went in as a lieutenant and one of the first missions he completed was storming a beach head at Normandy. With God smiling upon him, he managed not to die although he was injured seriously. He took a bullet to the back from a Gerry MG while he was pulling an injured man out of the line of fire. He never quite recovered 100% from these injuries. He finished a distinguished military career as a lieutenant colonel and died in 1963 from diseases related to his injuries back in Normandy. I have never met my grandfather, having been born in 1969.

So what does all this have to do with me? America gave my family a chance back in the 1890’s. They were not persecuted because they worshipped the Sabbath on Saturday, did not believe in Jesus’ divinity and dressed ‘a little funny". They were allowed to become citizens – full and equal to every other American whether native born or immigrant. With hard and honest work, they were able to establish a business and see it thrive, They were give the opportunity to provide a better life, for themselves and for future generations. My grandfather, a devout Jew, ultimately sacrificed his life for this country (we have a letter signed by JFK commending my grandfather for his sacrifice for America) because he believed in what America stands for.

Tomorrow, I can go out and shave my head bald, or dye my hair green, tattoo my body entirely and pierce whatever and wherever I want. I can study art, language, science, astrology or underwater basket weaving. I can remain a Jew, convert to Christianity or Islam or better still, devise my own religion and have the government of the United States formally recognize it as such. I can earn a PhD in Astrophysics and end up working as a garbage man if that is what I want to do. I can buy any house, car or motorcycle I can afford (and perhaps some I can’t). I can declare I am a heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual, or transsexual. I can listen to rap music, opera, country western, heavy metal, gospel or klezmer music. I can see a movie – from hard core, triple XXX BSDM movies to animated Disney cartoons, to documentaries, to comedies. I can go and eat Mexican food, Italian food, Thai food, Chinese food, Japanese food, German food, or get a Big Mac at McDonald’s. If I want to, I can smoke a pack of Lucky’s, drink a gallon of MD20/20 and wake up with a vicious hang over. I can get married and have no children or my very own Brady Bunch. I can go to the gym and work out anyway I see fit. But best of all, whatever I know I want to do tomorrow, I know I can do in America and perhaps even better than that, I’ll most likely be able to do the things I don’t even know I want to do yet at some time.

No other country in the world affords me these luxuries and I am keenly aware they are luxuries and keenly aware I am truly blessed among people to be fortunate enough to live in America.

America might not always do what is the most egalitarian thing when dealing with the rest of the world. And maybe us Yankees really are just a bunch of dumb, slightly overweight cowboys who should stick to our side of the globe and mind our own business.

But someone crashed two jets into our World Trade Center and then smashed another one into our Pentagon. A fourth would have done more damage to us if not for some courageous souls who sacrificed their lives so that other would live. This was done on our soil. And someone who might have been out doing one of the many things I mentioned I could do at my will undoubtedly died doing this thing tragically and it could have just as easily have been me as it was the next guy.

This may sound selfish, but I am not going to be the next guy, the next unwitting victim in a skyskraper or on an airplane. No, rather, I am going to do whatever I can to fuck these spineless, jealous, apes but good and permanently, those who attacked our country and our way of life. I am forever grateful to America for all it has done for my family, starting in 1895 with Saul and Joseph to yours truly, for all the opportunities, luxuries and liberties.

And anything that remotely threatens America is my enemy. And I must make every attempt to stamp this threat out of existence. Because I owe America this. For the next generation of “Sauls and Josephs” to emigrate here under pain of death to start a better life in this promised land. And if that means that some innocents suffer from collateral damage than I am truly sorry but no less solid in my resolve to attack and defend America from her enemies. And if that makes me a bigot, a racist or just a pigheaded asshole, then so be it. And if everyone else in the world scoffs at me and
calls me an “idiot American”, it is a badge
I will wear with honor. Because I know
what America really means and I love this
country despite any pejorative labels
others put on it or me. -

Brock

2

Brock, that was awesome. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

3

Brock, your no idiot! If fact you’re right on track. Many people have been here so long that they don’t even know how their families got here much less the price they paid for their freedom. My family were European Immigrants who pre-date the Mayflower, and came over fleeing religious tyrany, all for a religion that I don’t practice today. But I have that right.

I spent 11 years in the military, more than half of it in remote parts of Asia. I know what we have here, and again I say, you are right on track. For all those who think we should “lay back” and let it ride. You must understand, these MF’rs hate us. It’s not dislike, it’s not upset, it’s HATE in its purest form, and to quote Dan Rather: “This is a street fight, and you can’t fight a street fight like it was the golden gloves…There are no rules in a street fight…”

4

Well written.

5

That was beautiful.

6

Brock, I know the feelings you have regarding your country and your family. My father went through hardships as well as a youth (dirt poor in the hills in Eastern Kentucky, went away and worked his way thru high school, fought in WW-II, wounded twice, etc.). While I’m not sure I’ve agreed with everything you’ve said in various posts, we do agree that this nation and its people are worth fighting for, and that we must hunt down and deal with terrorist organizations that mean us harm. I don’t think it’s going to be quick or easy - I hope, as a nation, we have the will to finish what we start. BTW, you seem well-versed in the Islam faith. Can you recommend a starting point for those of us that may want to investigate for ourselves the divergence of what Islam says and how some dunderheads pervert it? Thanks.

7

DAMN STRAIGHT BROCK!!! You have an understanding of what America means that most Americans lack. America was founded on God and free enterprise (as opposed to politics and religion). It’s fortunate that you actually know your family’s history as it relates to its immigration. I know nothing more than the name of my great grandfather, and that he came to America from Norway. I assume he was a farmer, but those who know are all dead. I’ve followed the discussions of late, and I gotta say that you’ve got your head on straight. From one “pigheaded asshole, idiot American” to another.

8

AMEN

9

While I cringed at some of Brock’s anti-Islamic statements in the wake of the attacks, now that he’s clarified his position I understand a little better. Yes, America has it’s problems, but I sure as hell wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. For those who haven’t seen this, take a moment.
http://is.a.crackfiend.com/thankyou/index2.html

The world will be a different place forever.

10

Brock, Fellow T-fam, I’ve obstained from posting on these threads as the rage and biases being brought to the table were far too bitter to stomach. Instead, I choose to speak now when the ice pack we know as time has somewhat cooled this volcanic issue. Brock, I share a similar bakcgorund. My Paternal Great-grandparents emmigrated from Austro-Hungaria, coming here impoverished and seeking a better life. My Great Grandfather was eventually able to open a furniture store in Pennsylvania. On my Mother’s side, my Great-Grandparents worked as housekeepers, nearly slaves, in order to survive. I’ve come to realize through this catastrophe that our generation has taken for granted how amazing this country is. Yes we have restrictions, yes we’ve no clean slate, but there must be a reson that people will risk their lives in traveling here simply to become a part of our nation. What has driven us are two of the most complex human emotions: Rage and frustration. No single target exists for us to pound guided missles into. No single government can recieve our blame and be issued a DNR order once we’ve dismantled it. We are each a wounded part of a Wounded animal. We are wary and vicious, and rightfully so. Exacting revenge on those not responsible for these actions will do nothing in the way of healing or vindication. I’ve seen many arguments on this forum blaming “Bleeding heart liberals” for not wanting to strike at everything wearing a turban and speaking farsi. The reason we have such a powerful Left in this country is because we’ve the sanctity to do so. We’ve not had to worry about a constant aggressor. We are not war-like because we’ve had no war. Reflection brings about Leftist thought, we’re enabled to reconsider our actions. Right now many US citizens do not want to consider anything, they want vengence through complete destruction, and perhaps it shall be a reality. We’re forced to become reactionary quite quickly, and it’s a state of mind that we’re not accustomed to. Finally, in this overdue rant, I’d like to offer what I feel is the greatest piece of the American experience: Take a look at this message board. We have seething fights, bitter arguments and freely-flowing rage towards eachother for various reasons. And yet we are at the same time all unified and proud to be on this soil reading these sordid fucking posts. No other nation boasts such solidarity, and that is the essence of our Americana.

-Eric

11

I agree that the United States needs to take necessary steps to stop terrorism. This event was disgusting and I offer my condolences to all of the victims and there families. The another thing that really bothers me about this is that the United States is ready to attack Afganistan before they are even sure who is responsible. I read an article in the Edmonton Journal (I’m from Canada) it was from Southam News that talked about a report that the UN released about the economic conditions in Afganistan and that if the United States initiates a prolonged attack against them that with winter approaching and food supplies extremely low they estimate that 1 in 4 people will starve to death that translates into 6 million people. To top it all of when Russia invaded Afganistan the U.S. trained Bin Laden to be a terrorist and also trained the Afganistan armies in Guerrilla warfare. My point that I am getting at is that if the US goes in and kills Bin Laden and all those people starve they are going to hate the US even more and there will be people step up to fill Bin Ladens place because the US gave them the knowledge of advanced terrorism. The most logical way to stop future terrorism is made to improve relations in the Middle East becasue the problem with terrorism is that it can’t really be associated with a single country because factions like the Taliban are in multiple countries. The US should also remember that the last major terrorist attack was performed be an american. The US needs to be sure who is responsible before they start killing millions of people.

12

Everyone’s an idiot about SOMETHING, Brock. I applaud the fact that you feel so passionately and I can see your point of view even if I can’t quite grasp it fully. Those passions are what define an American, in my opinion. Essentially, don’t sweat it. We still have lots of man-love for ya. :slight_smile:

13

good post, but i’d like to counter several points… bush, cheney, and powell, have all named bin laden the prime suspect, pakistan knows the taliban are harboring bin laden and gave them 48 hours to hand him over, it is very clear that the taliban government is at the top of the list among the guilty parties, so we do know who is guilty…2)the afghans are so poor and only have 2 major cities and 5 major roads, with a well organized air strike we can knock out their food supply and sources of wealth with minimum us casualties(this is not vietnam), and hopefully inspire the afghans to rise up against the oppressive taliban government…it is the oppressive taliban government that is largely responsible for the extreme poverty, in the long run it may very well be more beneficial to cause short term suffering, and to overthrow the taliban which has been extremely oppressive…if we install a new type of government it will give the people some hope…
by doing nothing it is guaranteed that the people will continue to suffer…3)we did train bin laden at one time, but it was to thwart the soviet’s invasion. the soviet’s who unoprovoked, invaded afghanistan, and caused enormous casualties and suffering among the afghan’s…basically our government felt it was better to support bin laden then the soviet’s…at the time bin laden was not our enemy and was seen as a lesser evil…4)improve relations in the middle east? in 1978 carter held the israel-egypt, peace summit, it lasted for a week before sadat was assasinated, most recently clinton, for a year, tried to improve relations in the middle east and it didn’t work…we are not dealing with rational people like me and you, many of the leaders and people in the middle east are evil, they’ve been fighting for thousands of years, peace has never worked, there is no tolerance for diversity and religious freedom, read brock’s posts for more info…there are just some people in this world who are evil and must be eliminated, because by doing nothing more suffering and death will be caused, the only chance for peace in this case is by going to the root of the cause and eliminating the threat of evil, the 90’s were a decade of appeasement and it didn’t work…we have got to learn form histories mistakes

14

It is nice to see that you are a patriot, but it is silly to claim that USA is the only country in the world that allows someone to have a normal life. Do you really think that a guy in Germany, Iceland or in Australia cannot get drunk, be gay or buy a motorcycle? Get real. I am not that much of a patriot because I think feelings like that are corny and a waste of my time (homelad is where my money is!), but right now it is 11 pm, I am sitting comfortably in my office on the 8th floor of the building behind my notebook typing this, watching RealVideo TV on another notebook, hooked up to flat rate Internet access line, doing the 2nd shift supporting software for German/US company :-), have a motorcycle and a car and I like to think that this resembles some kind of normal life. All this is happening in Croatia - a country many Americans couldn’t point to on a map.

15

I reckon I will turn in my “Sick Bastard” badge for an “Idiot American” one.

16

It is certainly to America’s credit that it can [and does] inspire the degree of fervent patriotism that is evident. In other countries such a consistent display of popularist nationalism is the province of extremists, yet in the US it is actively encouraged. Perhaps the openess you talk about Brock, is based in America’s history, one of dissent and the right to freedom of expression. Religion [as opposed to God, Brider] played a large part in this as many of the original colonists were dissenters from the dominant religion in their home, who packed up and left voluntarily so they could do what they wanted. BTW Here’s a question that’s always puzzled me: If your constitution clarly separates God and State why do you all keep saying God Bless America?
Love of your country is a good thing, assumption that your country is better than anyone elses’ is not …iscariot…BTW: Just because someone is the number one suspect doesn’t automatically make them guilty.

17

I haven’t read any of the other replies…but wow! That was a powerful piece and I agree with every bit of it. Right on Brock!

18

brock, i heard you’re from massachusetts. and i think i know who your dad was(i think he spoke at my school a couple years back).
any truth to you being from mass, and what part?>

19

Brock: If I may be allowed to echo your words, but from a slightly different perspective. I hope that it will go to show that even though we may come from different backgrounds, with different experiences, we all love America. May Her light so shine…

I am the great-great-great grandson of Slaves. These were hard working, honest and God Fearing people who lived and died in the swamps and tobacco fields of Eastern North Carolina. Despite the trails that these people went through, with a Country that often suppressed their will and ability to succeed, they did. And through it all, they gained, and passed on to their offspring, an undying Love for this Country. HOW COULD THIS BE for a “country” that lynched them, would not open to them the avenues that allowed others to reach the fullness of their potential, or that did not, in many cases, consider them citizens or even human? They did so because America was not some tobacco spitting redneck with a hood and a rope; it was a bastion of hope for better things. A place where in the end, they knew THAT GOOD WOULD ULTIMATELY PREVAIL. How many peoples around the world, EVEN TODAY, can say that about their countries?

That humility and hope was instilled in a young, cocky kid with a swagger who became one of the “Chocolate Soldiers” of WWII. Despite a country that treated captured Germans and Italians better than him, be answered the call and fought anyway. And despite the fact that during WWII, Korea and Vietnam, enemy propaganda would often ask the “Darkies” why they were dying for a Country that hated them (“Chocolate Soldier”; why die on this far-away land? Your Klan would be more than happy to kill you in the quiet and warmth of your own home…) NEVER did he waver in his love for this country, and never did his resolve change. That cocky kid was my Father. And that sense of responsibility and unwavering Love of Country has been instilled in me.

Over the past week, I’ve read and pondered over the things that have been said on this site concerning the bombings of last Tuesday. Some were inspiring. Some were disturbing. However, one thing is irrefutable; they all came from the heart. And it’s that passion and willingness to share that will perhaps make us one of the stronger communities on the Internet. It really is up to us. So, what do I think of all that has happenened? I feel that the perpetrators will need to accept certain realities that will not change, whether they choose to blow up a bus or a city:

  1. America will continue to exist, NOT because of its very imperfect Government, but because of its people. Yes; we are wasteful, often selfish and opinionated. We don’t recognize all the blessings that we have compared to many in this world. We are often violent, we often treat each other badly and we sue each other far too often. We concern ourselves much too often with trivial things, and we often look at ourselves as the center of the Universe. But as a People, we believe in each other, in these United States and in what that really stands for; not “Baywatch” (The most popular show in the Arab world), “Big-Hair Glam-Rock” , “Immorality and God-lessness”, “Imperialism”, “Zionism” or “Decadence” but FREEDOM. We believe that not because our Government feeds it to us, or suppresses information so that we know nothing else. We believe it FIRST because it is true, and SECONDLY because we have the freedom to choose to believe it. And yes…we believe in the Freedom of ALL people, despite what those who hate us may say. A giant has not been awakened; but 260 million plus Dragons with hearts that now pump fire.

  2. Israel will continue to exist, or no one in the Middle East will. For better or worse, and depending in your point of view, these are a people with a strong will to survive, the support of America and enough “unofficial” Nuclear Devices beneath The Sinai to lay waste from the Mediterranean to Bangladesh. Peace and mutual respect versus total destruction of wonderful and rich cultures in the Middle East are the two options, both for Israel and her neighbors. It’s up to those Peoples to choose.

  3. Given these two realities, Terrorism may win some battles, but never a War. There is so much more that has appeared on this Forum that I could comment on, but I would much rather implore everyone in our small community of Health and Fitness enthusiast to move on…let’s get back to what the Forum is all about. If we do not, then the Terrorist have truly won one of those small battles…

20

Brock, you seem to have an excellent grasp on world history. I would like to hear your thoughts on the Armenian Genocide of 1914 wherein 3 million Armenians were massacred by the Muslim Ottoman Empire of Turkey. The reasons for this atrocity were as senseless as any others in history. Armeneia and Armenian’s were the first ever Christain’s without which there would have been no Catholic church, Pope, Protestans, or any other facet of that religion. Additionally, the land OF Armenia was coveted by the Turkish government. I suppose both those facts made there demise very palatable to the Turk’s.

Although this was the first ever genocide and the second largest in history, few know anything about it and the lack of recognition is nearly as damaging as the actual massacre. Unfortunately as each year passes more and more is forgoten about this event as generations of people age and survivors expire. This aninomity is truely a shame. I think this applys to the Jewish massacre, in that if the world was more sensitized to such atrocities, maybe just maybe, more rapid action would have been taken by those who eventually oposed Germany in WWII. One of the four districts of Jeruaselm is Armenian, it is a sad coincedence that the Jewish capitol houses a subset of people they share such a tragic history with. I have to tell you it sickens me to see crimes of hate repeated over and over again when there are so many lessons we can draw on to remind us all of there heinous nature and pointless cause. Furthermore, the repetition of such terror, cements the notion that we can never again underestimate the potential evil in man's heart.