Around the post 9/11 era, there was a resurgence of American flags around the country. It was refreshing to see that as far apart and self-centered this society has appeared to grow, that it could still unite in a love for our country.
Then, the flags started to get overdone. They appeared in car sales ads, license plates, T-shirts, mattress commercials, soda cans and baby food. Everyone was using our national colors to identify themselves with public grieving and pride - and more often to sell stuff.
To boot, there are grown adults who use these symbols of patriotism all over their Chevy Silverados that don't even know the first verse to the Star Spangled Banner. Before you can say, "love it or leave it", you should at least have a basic grasp of the Constitution. It's not enough just to say "we should nuke that f--king Osama!"
This whole trend is happening in language as well. "Support our troops", for example, has taken on sort of a dual meaning: 1) Support the war they're in, and/or 2) Literally support our troops... with cans of Copenhagen, Playboys, or whatever you can spare. The war aside, an inherent respect for our troops is something we should always have, just as we should always respect the women and men of our police and fire departments. These people keep the fabric of our society in place, doing jobs you or I would rather not do.
So, it's sad to see "support our troops" become some new tagline that automatically makes an empty advertisement or prejudicial speaker sound immediately wholesome and American. Being "American" is more than just echoing a tagline. It's working a fair and honest living to support your family, reaping rewards from your own labor and taking an active role in the government that preserves our freedom.
And, buying a whole lot of sh-t on credit cards to support our economy.
How to love your country
To me, Patriotism is a lot loving a younger brother.
Sure, America's had some shifty years in the past - maybe a few wild years at a city college. But, as frustrated as you may have gotten with America over the years, you have to love America for who he is. You can't just say, "dammit America, I hate your faults! You have too many faults!" That ain't cool - because America is blood. You'll see America at Thanksgiving and feel like a real douchebag for saying those sorts of things. Have a few PBR's with America, and work it out.
And, you know, when America is on the defensive, you'll always have his back! Because you two grew up together! America never told mom and dad about your porn stash, just like you never told on America about his tribal tattoo. That's loving America. Always being there, for better or worse.
So, like my loose analogy shows, you got to love all parts of America - the good parts and bad. You can take any side of a controversy, join the Armed Forces or study law, wave the American flag or solemnly pray for the lives lost over the last few years,... American pride is about the way of life we have that grants us the freedom to do all these things and more.
But, if you already respect all of this, then I guess a "No Fear" American flag pasted over the back window of your Ford F-150 isn't so bad after all.
