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A Red-Blooded American Responds

Forgive me for feeling the need to say
I am neither a Communist nor a Nazi,
I’m a red-blooded American who served
My country in the U. S. Air Force, and,
I have always stood up for what’s right,
And, when bullied, I am up for the fight.
Divisiveness here is getting out of hand,
And probity is not at all being observed
Even hinting that I am a Nazi is crazy!
Forgive me for feeling the need to say.

written December 11, 2021
[written in my reverse rhyme format]

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 12/12/2021 4:56:00 PM Oh my goodness! What? I Am stunned by this one. You have met a real creature apparently. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/12/2021 5:28:00 PM Yep...unbelievable. If you are interested (or curious) you can read what she wrote under a comment I made to Andrea's winning poem "Human Rights." If you don't want to be bothered, don't bother, but it provoked this one.

Mark Koplin Date: 12/12/2021 8:59:00 AM I’m a red blooded American too, I feel your pain. How can we simply ignore a problem that never goes away. I’m glad you stand up for yourself. I’m glad for those who can ignore problems and not worry. Some of us just can’t! Well done Milt!! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/12/2021 9:25:00 AM Thank you, Mark. I go as long as I can before saying something sometimes, but then, sometimes she just goes way too far, and I have to speak out!

Jan Allison Date: 12/12/2021 8:46:00 AM So sorry you had to even write this poem Milton, I wish admin would deal with the nastiness she brings with her comments on poems. lost my muse, still not well and this 'pooet' will continue to post poop poems and silly fun poems - you know why because people enjoy reading them! hugs Jan xx Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/12/2021 9:26:00 AM Absolutely, Jan. You keep doing what you do. We love you and enjoy your poo-poems. As far as I'm concerned, administration is doing nothing to police this site. If they were, she would be long gone!!!

Gershon Wolf Date: 12/11/2021 4:32:00 PM I guess you have that combative instinct, when your dander gets riled. Perhaps from your days in the service... As for me, I've been called a Nazi, and I've been called a Dirty Jew. Now I wonder how those two work together?! Season's best, Gershon Login to Reply Gershon Wolf Date: 12/12/2021 6:32:00 PM Ah, how do I stay calm? -- I guess the lobotomy worked!... Just kidding. Actually, perhaps I was lucky that I was in commission sales for 8 years. I learned not to take rants and rejection personally. It's helped me a lot... As for Jesus as a Jew, that's another topic for another time. :) gw L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 7:31:00 PM And, by the way, it's a pity that those deluded souls have not learned that the baby Jesus they celebrate at Christmas was a Jew! Through and through, I must add, descendant of King David, no less! When I taught The Life of Jesus, the first thing I pointed out was "Jesus was a Jew, educated in the local synagogue, and clearly brought his message to his own people...the Jews!" I think some of the morons tuned me out right away. Oh, well..... L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 6:27:00 PM I don't know how you kept your calm, Gershon. I wish I had that kind of fortitude. After so long, and the most recent, which you can read in a comment to Andrea's contest win for Human Rights, some of us are snapping. Comment made under MY COMMENT was clearly libelous, insulting to me. I am not Nazi, I tell you! This completely stopped my productivity today!

Ilene Bauer Date: 12/11/2021 2:53:00 PM well said, milton! it is unfortunate that some people are so awful in their comments (and beliefs!). i have stopped reading the work of some poets, which is a shame in certain cases, but i just don't want to deal with certain opinions that are repugnant to me. calling anyone a nazi is way beyond acceptable... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/12/2021 11:38:00 AM Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply on this subject. I don't blame you at all for avoiding those poets who are writing opinions that are repugnant to you. I'd be much better off if I handled it that way, too. Do you think I'm a glutton for punishment??? I could be, I suppose.

Bill Baker Date: 12/11/2021 2:43:00 PM Just goes to show us craziness can appear anywhere. Everyone that knows you, respects you and your poetry Milt. Sorry you had to deal with this, but you handled it well. I also served in the U.S. Air Force. Have a great day! your friend, Bill Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 4:07:00 PM Thanks so much, Bill. I can put up with a lot, but when someone questions my loyalty to my country and my compassion for others, then, I must speak out.

Alexis Y. Date: 12/11/2021 2:32:00 PM Hi Milt, Someone called you a Nazi? I think that’s absurd. Ignore them and continue to write your amazing poetry. I agree with Lin, the kindness you show to your fellow poets speaks for itself. In my opinion you are a stand up guy:-) Alexis Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 2:38:00 PM Alexis, I don't like this. I get no joy from this hatefulness and vindictiveness which is directed at several here on Soup, not just me. But, occasionally, I don't seem to be able to stop myself from responding. I know it is good advice to just ignore it, but some things I just can't ignore. A Nazi? For goodness sakes! L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 2:35:00 PM Thank you, Alexis. I wish she hadn't; indeed, I do. I wish she could just lay her anger and her vitriol aside, bury them, and write the poetry she claims she does so well. She responded under my post to Andrea's winning poem on Human Rights. It was just simply vicious and intolerable. I wish someone (maybe Admin, hint, hint) would tell her to lay off this kind of stuff!

Michael Kalavik Date: 12/11/2021 1:32:00 PM Trolls abound on the net. My advice is to not respond. Narcissists hate being ignored. And thank you for your service; Navy vet here. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 1:39:00 PM That is so true, Michael, but I refuse to remain silent when I am being called a Communist and a Nazi. As I have said before, "Geez!" Thank you for YOUR service, Michael.

Lin Lane Date: 12/11/2021 1:29:00 PM Oh for gosh sakes, Milt. What a preposterous thought to call a veteran who fought for his country such names! The kindness you show so many poets in your comments speaks for itself Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 1:40:00 PM Thank you, Lin. I do my best to be thoughtful and kind. It's a shame that someone on the PS keeps flinging insults about anyone whom she takes a disliking to, and she goes to extremes to be bullying and insulting. So sad!

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/11/2021 1:28:00 PM You shouldn't have to say anything Milton, most of us on here know you to be a fine poet and a gentleman. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/11/2021 1:42:00 PM I sincerely do try, Tom, but there is absolutely no place on Poetry Soup for the kinds of hateful, slanderous, and insulting things this old bully throws out. I was taught as a child to fight back. I suffered terrible bullying when I was growing up, and the only way I survived was to beat them at their own game. I want all of this to stop as much as anyone on this site.