This topic has been swimming around in my head for some time, but recent comments by America's favorite radio host Rush Limbaugh have prompted me to tackle it.More on Rush's comments later. First lets talk about national pride. Do you like America? Me too! (Note: not America Ferrerra from Ugly Betty...silly!) I like it a lot. Me and America have been on good terms for 26 years now. I haven't even LOOKED at anyone else in that time. Although I do admit when Canada puts that skimpy hockey dress on it turns my head.
The point: we should all love our country for the many things it has offered, and will continue to offer us. We are certainly a unique country of diverse people, ideas, and superior opportunities.
Where I begin to have problems is when some people go overboard with their pride and insist that everyone else around them act similarly. For example, it's GOOD to love your country, it's BAD to blindly hate foreign nations just because they aren't yours.
Enter Rush Limbaugh. Recently he criticized Obama for a speech given in Germany where he simply admitted that America wasn't perfect and hasn't always done the right thing (allowed torture, mistakes in the Iraq war, etc). Rush even went so far as to say he was being anti-American.
Really? Admitting that we aren't perfect is simply humbling, honest, and accurate if you ask me. Why is there so much pressure to be as pro-America as possible? Put your hand on your heart for the National Anthem, put the largest U.S. flag possible in your front yard, etc.
I love this country but I can also respect and admire European countries and even criticize my own when it misbehaves. I refuse to be an uninformed member of this country and I welcome diversity, arguments, and protests. Afterall, isn't that what America is REALLY all about? The ability to disagree, question the motives of your country's governing body?
Last time I checked we weren't in favor of communist censorship. Your thoughts? Next post: Part 2 of this discussion including some questions I have regarding anti-internationalism as it pertains to where you live in the U.S., the size of your city, your education level, and more.
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1 comments:
My question for you sir: Why do you listen to so much conservative talk radio? I mean you know you're just going to be pissed off by everything they say. Is this part of some self-loathing complex you have Phil? If so, I highly recommend watching endless marathons of SNL's "The Best of Jimmy Fallon" His hijinx are sure to brighten even the most sardonic of cynics.
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