Yes, we can.

[BarTopDancer]

I am grateful to have been born in a country to which we have many of the freedoms that Kevy outlined for us. I am ashamed of the actions of our government and some of our population at home and abroad.

Here's how my thinking has changed over the years:

At 17 I received Canadian citizenship (I have dual). I didn't want it, didn't see any reason to have it, I was American, period. I have no identification with Canada other than my mom being born there. Mom's reasoning (foresight?) was that some day I may want to get a Canadian passport, it maybe safer traveling to Europe with it. Maybe one day I'd want to move there, etc...

Fast forward about 10 years (or 3 years ago). I am glad I have an option to get a Canadian passport. American's aren't looked that fondly upon overseas these days. I am glad I am able to move there without much hassle if I wanted to (I don't). Will I get a Canadian passport? Considering I am going to get an American one in a few days, probably not. But I am grateful to have the opportunity to do so if I wanted.

I am ashamed of our national reputation overseas. I am ashamed of what our government has done in and to Iraq. I am ashamed that freedoms have been eroded away at home. I am ashamed of how my countrymen act overseas. The sense of entitlement that this country has as a whole makes me nauseous. Am I going to move? No. If I were I would have done it already.

I am grateful to live in a nation that allows me to be ashamed of its governments actions. I hope we begin to do good, that our entitlement goes away and this country again becomes somewhere to be proud to be a part of.

[Strangler Lewis]

Exactly what Michelle Obama was trying to say.

[BarTopDancer]

Not sure if that was directed at my post, but if it was, I haven't even watched the video. youtube is blocked at work.

[Strangler Lewis]

Yes, it was, and, unfortunately, she did not similarly expand on her comments, but, as I said before, I assume she meant something along those lines.

[BarTopDancer]

Oh ok. I'll watch it tonight.

[CoasterMatt]

I can emigrate to Sweden if I want to.

They've got ice bars, and Balder (the best damned wooden rollercoaster on the face of the Earth).

But I'm proud to stay in America, with the occasional jaunt elsewhere.

[scaeagles]

I am proud to be an American.

I do not like everything our government does.

I am proud of my son. I am not proud that it is a constant battle to get him to study his spelling words until 8pm on the night before his spelling test.

I don't carewhat the rest of the world thinks about us. Most of the world is ruled by thugs, dictators, or socialists. I doubt the French really care what we think of France. I doubt the Saudis really care about what we think of Saudi Arabia. I doubt the Chinese really care about what we think about China. Why do we care? But if we do, it sure looks as if Africa loves Bush and America right now. Does that change anyone's opinion of Bush? I doubt it.

I am fortunate to have been born here in the U.S. of A. I am proud to be a part of the processes that keep our country free and strong.

And I'd mojo Kevy if I could. But I can't. So major freakin' visible mojo for him.

[Stan4dSteph]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I doubt the French really care what we think of France.

Maybe not, but they sure are interested in our election. They love to talk politics. Also, I think it's far more important to have a good foreign policy than saying he/she will fix the economy. In this age of global markets, there's not a lot a president can do to change things, but a bad foreign policy can do a lot of damage. Witness the past 8 years...

Not giving a crap about the rest of the world is an ignorant way to go about life.

[wendybeth]

I agree, JW- they are sounding a bit desperate. I hope things don't get too down and dirty; we really don't need any more mud-wallowing in this country. I keep hoping Obama doesn't rise to the bait and runs as clean a campaign as he can. Might be naive of me, but that's what I hope.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I agree, JW- they are sounding a bit desperate. I hope things don't get too down and dirty; we really don't need any more mud-wallowing in this country. I keep hoping Obama doesn't rise to the bait and runs as clean a campaign as he can. Might be naive of me, but that's what I hope.

I join you in your naive hopes!

But if it comes down to Obama vs. McCain (which was my prediction a while back), I predict some ugly mudslinging from the extremist cons.