This week, many TikTok-using younger Americans discovered an old copy of Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” in The Guardian (the letter has since been removed) and found that they agreed with some of bin Laden’s rhetoric. Lee Greenwood utilized an appearance on Fox News to refute what they were saying about the letter, reminding them of the value of patriotism.
Greenwood, best known for his song “God Bless the United States of America,” appeared on “The Ingraham Angle” before the Thursday FOX Nation Patriot Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, and presented host Laura Ingraham with a signed book containing the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance, and Bill of Rights.
As background, the bin Laden manifesto sparked debate after pro-Palestinian activist Lynette Adkins asked her nearly 200,000 TikTok followers to read bin Laden’s letter, stating, “I need everyone to stop what they’re doing right now and go read – It’s literally two pages.” ‘A Letter to America’ should be read. And please come back here and just tell me what you think because I feel like I’m going through an existential crisis right now, and I know a lot of people are, so I just need someone else to feel this way.” Her pro-Palestine supporters did so, and then swiftly began releasing reaction videos in which they agreed, infuriating many on the right.
When Laura Ingraham questioned him about his opinions on the letter’s tone and its dissemination by the pro-Palestine TikTok star, he said, “I’ve got an answer for you: It’s about family, God, and nation.”
Greenwood then used the situation to discuss patriotism and why it is so vital to stand up for America and the principles it symbolizes, adding, “The thing is, if we just believe in America like we’ve never believed in her – she stands for freedom and for the world.”
“When you talk about the word ‘patriot’ in the dictionary, it means love and devotion and a sense of attraction for your country and satisfaction,” Greenwood continued. “So there are some who volunteer and make sacrifices. And now it’s all about making sacrifices for our nation.”
Greenwood can be seen here:
In a statement to Fox News on why she shared the letter, Adkins stated, “I did not share the letter to promote any form of hatred or violence against anyone, nor do I agree with the extremism in it.” I was really astounded by what I had read and wanted to discuss it with my followers. I was three years old when 9/11 occurred, and I was always taught that it occurred because other countries were envious of our democracy in the United States. Now that I’m older and can read about history outside of the mainstream media’s narrative, I’m discovering there’s more to the tale. I believe we all have the freedom to access the information offered to us and draw our own opinions without being bound by extreme or radical beliefs.”
“The letter was removed from The Guardian’s website after being there for over 20 years,” Adkins added. My TikTok account was blocked this morning, and many individuals who were sharing the letter had their videos taken as well. If we live in a genuine democracy, I believe we should be able to have open and peaceful discussions about what is going on in the globe.”