It’s been a few days now since Michelle Obama told an adoring audience that her husband’s likely Democratic presidential nomination has finally given her a reason to be proud of her country.
There were many howls of surprised outrage from America’s conservatives — not that many of them genuine (shocked ... simply shocked and dismayed!). Face it, it’s not a big secret that the Left detests pretty much everything that has made the United States what it is: free markets, individualism, faith in God (or at least faith in something better than government bureaucracy) … etc. For people of this ilk, calling America the “Great Satan” would be libelous to Lucifer … if they actually believed in the Devil.
No, the protestations were aimed at getting the attention of the politically non-aligned Oba-maniacs who mistakenly believe the rigidly ultra-liberal, half-term Illinois senator is some kind of post-partisan messiah — ready to lead us all to the land of milk and honey. Obama is such a gifted snake-oil salesman that rather than attacking him directly, his ideological opponents are attempting to tar him with guilt by association instead. They eagerly point out that his wife isn’t proud of America, or that his church named Louis Farrakhan “Man of the Year.” (As I just did.)
But what about this “pride in one’s country” comment itself?
And if I ask myself if I’m proud of my country, I find the answer is complicated.
On one level, the easy answer is “yes.” I’m proud that America is first to respond to natural disasters wherever they occur around the globe. I’m proud that the only flag implanted on the moon is the Stars & Stripes. I’m proud that our nation rescued the world from the Axis powers. I’m proud that our comparatively limited government — for all of its frustrating short-comings — is a still the best on Earth. Honestly, this list is endless. I guess I’m most proud of the fact that we sincerely try to live up to our ideals.
But this pride is rather like how I feel when Auburn wins a big football game. And the similarity makes this concept of pride seem a bit shallow. So I wonder what “pride” actually means.
I think a better word is “appreciation.” And there’s a lot that must be taken into consideration when you fully appreciate something. What makes a proud moment possible?
A lot of it is individual effort — to the point of self sacrifice (like storming the beaches at Normandy or when the space shuttle Challenger exploded). Less spectacularly, Thomas Edison’s "90% perspiration, 10% inspiration" formula for success seems to sum things up pretty well.
There were many howls of surprised outrage from America’s conservatives — not that many of them genuine (shocked ... simply shocked and dismayed!). Face it, it’s not a big secret that the Left detests pretty much everything that has made the United States what it is: free markets, individualism, faith in God (or at least faith in something better than government bureaucracy) … etc. For people of this ilk, calling America the “Great Satan” would be libelous to Lucifer … if they actually believed in the Devil.
No, the protestations were aimed at getting the attention of the politically non-aligned Oba-maniacs who mistakenly believe the rigidly ultra-liberal, half-term Illinois senator is some kind of post-partisan messiah — ready to lead us all to the land of milk and honey. Obama is such a gifted snake-oil salesman that rather than attacking him directly, his ideological opponents are attempting to tar him with guilt by association instead. They eagerly point out that his wife isn’t proud of America, or that his church named Louis Farrakhan “Man of the Year.” (As I just did.)
But what about this “pride in one’s country” comment itself?
And if I ask myself if I’m proud of my country, I find the answer is complicated.
On one level, the easy answer is “yes.” I’m proud that America is first to respond to natural disasters wherever they occur around the globe. I’m proud that the only flag implanted on the moon is the Stars & Stripes. I’m proud that our nation rescued the world from the Axis powers. I’m proud that our comparatively limited government — for all of its frustrating short-comings — is a still the best on Earth. Honestly, this list is endless. I guess I’m most proud of the fact that we sincerely try to live up to our ideals.
But this pride is rather like how I feel when Auburn wins a big football game. And the similarity makes this concept of pride seem a bit shallow. So I wonder what “pride” actually means.
I think a better word is “appreciation.” And there’s a lot that must be taken into consideration when you fully appreciate something. What makes a proud moment possible?
A lot of it is individual effort — to the point of self sacrifice (like storming the beaches at Normandy or when the space shuttle Challenger exploded). Less spectacularly, Thomas Edison’s "90% perspiration, 10% inspiration" formula for success seems to sum things up pretty well.
Well, just so long as she's proud ...
I also appreciate that if you work hard and play by the rules, you will usually do okay in this country. I appreciate the freedom to think “unapproved” thoughts that leads to innovation. I especially appreciate that I don’t have to agree with other people just for the sake of agreeing.
In a nutshell, what I most appreciate about America is that it provides me with the opportunity to earn pride in myself.
And what troubles me most about an Obama presidency is that what he most wants to "change" is the very thing I appreciate most about this nation.
And I’m not ready to give that up just to make his wife proud.
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