A line in a grocery store here in West Texas is often like a clearing house for irony.  The aging Medicare recipients in front of me are actively chatting with each other about keeping the government out of their health care.  The 40ish something man behind me is wearing a red, white and blue shirt depicting the Statue of Liberty while he talks to his wife about “all them illegal immigrants” coupled with a few racial epithets I will not repeat.  It’s not polite to stare and I am totally busted.   I do my best to smile and say hello.  I receive a very friendly response and am further greeted with his name and an introduction to his wife.  I reciprocate and introduce myself and my son.   I continue smiling and compliment his shirt (which it turns out was a gift from his wife Lisa).  I next ask him if he happens to remember what is written on the bronze plaque at the base of our Lady Liberty.  His response – “Freedom isn’t free”.   Trying my best to keep smiling; I share with him the actual message on the plaque.  To say he doesn’t believe me is an understatement.  I encourage him to try and Google it when he can get to a computer.   I even tell him that I would love to have him visit my blog here on OS where I promise to post the actual words in their glorious entirety.  I doubt he will take me up on my offer - based on his reaction to my writing name here on Open Salon.  But a promise is a promise…. so Cody and Lisa, this one is for you.

 

 "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus