Proud to Be an American
Very shortly after 09/11/01, an extremely patriotic song, by Lee Greenwood, was given a new life.
Personally, I've never been able to listen to "Proud to Be an American" without standing up and placing my hand over my heart, while tears of pride streamed down my cheeks. (Just like hearing Kate Smith sing 'God Bless America' - for those of you who remember - or anyone who sings the National Anthem without needing to making it a 'new pop hit'.) I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I've always been inspired to sing along. (My apologies to Mr. Greenwood and Ms. Smith.)
I don't think my emotions will ever change - hearing those songs. But somehow, in the last few years, the pride has become acute embarrassment.
For those of you who remember - they buried JFK on the weekend that I was to celebrate my 7th birthday. I will never be able to erase the memory of the riderless horse and the cortege. That was my introduction to politics. (Don't EVEN ask me my opinion of the deaths of the Kennedy brothers. There is not enough blog space.)
Over the years, I have been proud of and embarrassed by the Presidents that the electoral college has put into office. (Don't believe for a minute that the common vote has any clout in this mess.) But, I have stood by my country.
I will 'celebrate' the 50th anniversary of my birth in a very few days. Over the years, I have seen many changes - we swore if gasoline ever got over $1.00/gallon we would stop driving. We snuck out and bought cigarettes, at $0.35 a pack. (and yes we knew they were bad for us - we did it anyway. So those of you who want to sue - suck it up -- you knew what you were getting in to.)
Until the current administration, I have (honestly) never (ok, I didn't like 'dad' either) been so embarrassed to be an American. We don't, anymore, own our country - the Chinese have us by the (you'll pardon the phrase) short-hairs. Currently, we have a president who would rather farm out our debt to China, continue a war that the majority of Americans don't want, and (as the American populace is reaching retirement age) cut Social Security benefits.
So, for what it's worth, I'm Proud to Be an American - but I'm not sure I'm free anymore.
Julie
Personally, I've never been able to listen to "Proud to Be an American" without standing up and placing my hand over my heart, while tears of pride streamed down my cheeks. (Just like hearing Kate Smith sing 'God Bless America' - for those of you who remember - or anyone who sings the National Anthem without needing to making it a 'new pop hit'.) I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I've always been inspired to sing along. (My apologies to Mr. Greenwood and Ms. Smith.)
I don't think my emotions will ever change - hearing those songs. But somehow, in the last few years, the pride has become acute embarrassment.
For those of you who remember - they buried JFK on the weekend that I was to celebrate my 7th birthday. I will never be able to erase the memory of the riderless horse and the cortege. That was my introduction to politics. (Don't EVEN ask me my opinion of the deaths of the Kennedy brothers. There is not enough blog space.)
Over the years, I have been proud of and embarrassed by the Presidents that the electoral college has put into office. (Don't believe for a minute that the common vote has any clout in this mess.) But, I have stood by my country.
I will 'celebrate' the 50th anniversary of my birth in a very few days. Over the years, I have seen many changes - we swore if gasoline ever got over $1.00/gallon we would stop driving. We snuck out and bought cigarettes, at $0.35 a pack. (and yes we knew they were bad for us - we did it anyway. So those of you who want to sue - suck it up -- you knew what you were getting in to.)
Until the current administration, I have (honestly) never (ok, I didn't like 'dad' either) been so embarrassed to be an American. We don't, anymore, own our country - the Chinese have us by the (you'll pardon the phrase) short-hairs. Currently, we have a president who would rather farm out our debt to China, continue a war that the majority of Americans don't want, and (as the American populace is reaching retirement age) cut Social Security benefits.
So, for what it's worth, I'm Proud to Be an American - but I'm not sure I'm free anymore.
Julie
Labels: Patriotism, Personal
posted by Jules @ 11:21 PM
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