Reply #17: I can see that

[manic expression]

however, I do not want to bring myself to be proud in something that I know is wrong. For instance, I could half-heartedly find some respect for America during the 60's, when progress was being made with civil rights and when the people and government actually did some things that were worthy of admiration (with a huge fight). Even then, the Great Society would be "shot down over the battlefields of Vietnam" (to paraphrase MLK), and America would sink into yet another phase of jingoism, imperialism and injustice. Could I stand for a flag that flew over the charred bodies of innocents in Vietnam? I don't think I could. Could I respect a country which carried out such a travesty? I do not think I would.

I guess my one line is: My country can be right or wrong, and I will respect it and act accordingly.