Proud to be an American
Aug 1, 2003

Yeah. Right. Can you just hear the plit plot of the sarcasm that statement is drenched in? Well, if you couldn't, let me tell you, it's an outright lie. Apologies to my fellow Americans, but I have more shame than anything in that title. In truth, I wasn't too proud to be an American before all the shit hit the fan. Many of us, those that created the stereotype, are just way too...well, way too many things we shouldn't be. Many of us act like our shit doesn't stink when it comes to other countries. So perhaps we are the most powerful country, but with that comes a responsibility and a bit of humility wouldn't be a bad thing. Instead, we throw our weight around and demand everyone else shape their lives to suit ours. If you come over here, you must speak English, how many times have I heard an American complain when a group of people, no matter how large or small, family or friends, speak in a foreign language. How many times have I heard "If you're in American you should speak English"
Oh, but it's alright for us to go to their homes and try to speak English everywhere we go? It disgusts me. Put yourself in the other person's shoes for once!

Now, our reputation is even worse. Our elected leader has made more colossal blunders than any other president, gotten us kicked out of the UN circle, and manipulated the people's emotions after 9/11 to further a cause to attack someone not even related to the 9/11 incident and without just cause. We'd like to make Sadam out to be a monster, but what do we really know about him? No, until you lead his life you don't know. Perhaps we are eliminating a threat that would have been inevitable, I don't know, but we are going about it all the wrong way, and quite frankly I think it's more to fill our vehicles for a cheaper price than any kind of future threat. Hey, it's possible he'd attack us without warning, and we'll get cheaper gas prices at the same time! Many times we act more like we're everybody's High King than a friend respectful of the differences of our friends. It's our way or the Highway.

Granted, some of that above is politics, those of us who give a damn have very little effect on the outcome of our politicians' actions. But hey, I think our country's motto is still "It's our way or the highway" 'cause a great many individuals not in politics seem to act like it. We should be the guardian, not the attacker. Use our greater military power wisely and perhaps play mediator, not High King. Different cultures, different societies, even different languages is what gives our world a little spice in life, a lot of different flavours. Our goal should not be to unite them all into a great big melting pot but to understand and respect each other for our differences.

I won't get into it now, but I have many other reasons to wish I could claim some other title than "American" But this post was all about politics and foreign relations, so I'll just leave it at that.