The following is my opinion as a member participating in this discussion.
Just scanning through the responses I see a pattern that troubles me as a person...
I am proud to be an American. I was born here. I have lived in this nation for my entire life. My family lives here. My friends live here. My father
lived here, as did his father before him. My children live here.
My pride in America does not reside in a piece of paper, or in a political ideologue. It resides in and comes from my experiences with others. I've
met many admirable and noble persons who were Americans. It resides in my memories...
My sons birth.
My first car.
My first house...
And this pride is well placed. But please understand that my patriotism and pride are not a mockery of any other nation. I do not consider myself
superior to others. I understand that they, too, have similar attachments to their lands and to their cultures.
They have pride as well.
I find it very divisive and counter productive when people argue over whose pride is more righteous or validated because, in reality, it's all equal.
So, you be proud of your nation and culture, I'll be proud of mine, and we can all proceed with mutual respect and without the need to mock or scorn
one another based upon such universal truths simply because these truths come in slightly differing flavors.
~Heff
As an ATS Staff Member, I will not moderate in threads such as this where I have participated as a member.
edit on 2/2/11 by Hefficide because: (no reason given)