I'm still a patriot and I'm still proud of my country!

[cally]

Since 2000, I've been ashamed of my country. I'm embarassed to be an American when we allowed the Reps to steal the election. We allowed to media to become sycomphants, we allowed pundits to imply that dissent is unpatriotic.

I would have felt fine pretending I was from another country because I was so ashamed of my own. I would have said that until I was reminded of the things to be proud of.

I know that much of the American ideals are somewhat based on myth and propaganda. But that ideal is something to be proud of and to work towards.

I went to DC this past week. As I entered, I felt like I was entering the belly of the beast. The security, the Bush is President reminders, the lock down of our nation. I walked by the White House and I just couldn't believe it. He's taken over city blocks to keep the people away.

Then my daughter and I started walking to visit the monuments. The Lincoln monument gets me every time. The quotes from his speaches reming me what it is to be an American. Well, my daughter pointed out how similar this was to the Greek temples to the Gods and how Lincoln mimics the Greek Gods. That made me uneasy. I still like the quotes.

The WWII memorial seems appropriate to the War. It's a celebration of all who fought and the unity of the states and nations. I don't like the placement on the mall but I liked the memorial. I've listened to the stories of my family and the whole country sacrificed for this war.

Then I went to the Viet Nam War Memorial. I've been several times but this time it hit home. Men and women are dying today. Many years later we will still mourn and wonder if it was worth it. I made note who was the last man to die. How does his family handle that?

The next day, I went to the Brown v. Board of Education exhibit at the Smithsonian. The exhibit was all about American ideals and how folks can work hard and have the law work. So many studied to be lawyers so they could fight for their rights.

Finally, I went to the National Archives. I saw the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I saw the lead up with the quotes from immigrants about what this country means to them. We do have a great ideal, we just have to keep fighting for it.

The neocons are stealing our country. I think most agree with the messages and quotes on these memorials. We just need to figure out a way to get our message across and to make them understand how the neocons are against American interests.

[bunkerbuster1]

1. I'm proud of what our country aspires to be

We progressives will find a way to get it there, someday.

Keep the faith. We'll need all we can muster.

[Lisa]

2. I haven't been to DC since the mid-1990s ...

I was appalled when I saw the area around the White House in Fahrenheit 9/11. The fence, the barriers, etc., look so forbidding and hostile.

Cally, as a Canadian, I must say that I've developed a greater affection for the American people since Bush took office. I've met lots of progressives here on DU, and through them I've learned about true patriotism and real American ideals -- not the phony corrupt fakery and intimidation that the current administration revels in.