PART ONE: "AMERIKANS"

Today, after the 2008 Presidential Election, I've been hearing a lot of people saying "for the first time, I'm proud to be an American." I find this very disturbing.

I've always been proud to be an American. I've also always been proud of my national heritage as a muttly German/French/Norwegian American. Never once did I doubt my patriotism, even though I have never flounced it around in people's faces, either.

We have no flag hanging outside our house (in fact, the only flag we own is a German flag, which is proudly displayed on our bedroom wall). I have no bumper stickers or ribbons or mini flags on my car. I rarely participate in the pledge of allegience. I have no pins or buttons or tshirts or hats proclaiming "USA 1"...

But every day, I'm proud and thankful to be living in this beautiful country, even when I don't agree with things the government is doing or decisions that politicians are making. You can't make everyone happy 100% of the time, but you should at least make an *attempt* to do what the people of this nation want. But you know what? public opinion is fickle.

In 2001/2002, we WANTED TO GO TO WAR, because we were attacked.

Now we WANT TO GET OUT, because things are getting ridiculous and WE CAN'T CHANGE the way things are over there, which we now sadly realize. Maybe we had the best intentions, maybe not. Maybe we've done some good and helped some people; maybe we did more harm than good. The truth is in the eyes of the beholder.

When gas was creeping up on $4/gallon, outrage spread like wildfire and SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE. Now gas is back down, and we have more important things to worry about, like the economy and unemployment. Global warming and the "energy crisis" has been pushed to the backburner until the inconvenience of it rears it's ugly head again.

Whatever the administration in the white house or whatever political party has the majority, there will always be adversity to overcome and problems to solve. It just seems all the more severe nowadays because we are CONSTANTLY REMINDED through 24 hour media and instant communication.

But no matter WHAT happens, or who wins or who loses, you should ALWAYS be proud.

Obama won the election and I'm proud. This is the first time that the candidate for whom I cast my ballot has been the victor. So I'm on the winning team, of course I'm excited. If McCain would have won? I would still be proud. Disappointed, yes, but never without pride for my country.

Yes, Obama is a black man. So what? Like black men have never been capable before Barack came leaping out of the murky shadows of opression and into the golden light of political fanfare?

Yes, Obama is the first American President Elect of biracial/African decent. So what? He is a competent leader with insightful ideas that gives people hope for the future. Would you have been just as pride-filled if an equally qualified and inspiring "white" man had run a campaign and been elected? or would you just go on being "disappointed" in a bigoted and close-minded America?

What if an American-born Hispanic or Asian or Middle Easterner had run for President and won? Would you be even MORE PROUD because those are even MORE OPRESSED American minorities? God forbid a "Native American" should be President someday, as I fear people's hearts would literally BURST with the never-before-experienced feeling of patriotism!

PART TWO: ALLEGORY

Patriotism is like being a parent.

You can love your child with every ounce of your being and do ALL that you possibly can to protect that child and help to teach that child right and wrong and the ways of the world. But there is not one single parent in the history of humanity who has NEVER been frustrated with the actions of their child; and there has been no child who has NEVER done something that made their parents angry or sad or disappointed, sometimes maybe even disgusted.

But when that child has a rough childhood, maybe gets into a lot of trouble, and then they miraculously get their act together and graduate college one day.

Does that child's mother or father say "For the first time in my life, I'm proud of my child" ?

If you heard someone say that about their child, wouldn't it make you feel a little sad inside?

Would you say, "wow, you've seriously NEVER been proud of your child before *this* moment right here?"

...and they would say "Nope. that kid was a total fuckup his entire life until this very moment when I can finally be proud."

Serial killers' and murderers' and rapists' mothers still love them. They may be disgusted and abhorred by what their child has done, but it's still their child. It's their flesh and blood. No matter how hard they may try to (and say that they) HATE that person who used to be their child, there is always that primitive bond that will not allow the love to fade too far from memory.

Can't you do the same for the great country that you live in? whether it's America or somewhere else in the world? Some people aren't so lucky. They don't feel safe in their own homeland, and for the majority with good reason. Maybe they don't have a choice when it comes to their government. Maybe they don't have a voice among the faceless masses.

* * * * *

The good ol' American "redneck" in me would like to have the final words concerning people who can only feel PRIDE when they get their own selfish desires fulfilled...

"Quit yer whining."

"Do your patriotic duty."

"Fight for justice and for those who have been treated unjustly."

"Love your country, protect your family and the people you love and keep them safe."

"If you don't like it, REVOLT or get the fuck out."