Pajamas Media now has a special blog–PJ Gold Rush–set up for Olympics coverage.
Personally, I don’t know if it’s accurate to say I “care” about figure skating, but I will be watching 🙂 I do care about us getting more medals than everyone else and having our national anthem played as much as possible. I like it when the USA wins. I like it when our greatness is undeniable. I do not worry about whether or not other countries get their feelings hurt or feel inadequate. I like it when our greatness compels other to try harder and be better. More adequate competition means our wins are even more impressive.
We are the best for a reason–Americans are used to earning what they have. We embrace competition and personal excellence. Are athletes do well because they want to, not because their nation threatens them if they don’t.
We live in a world that repeatedly tells Americans to tone down our pride for our nation. We are told to contain our potential, to not be overtly illustrative of our excitement for ourselves and our nation. I say–hogwash! To ignore or dismiss our achievements and greatness is meant to have the affect of wiping it away, of ultimately making us unsure of who and what we are. Making Americans afraid to think honestly about our greatness is indeed an effort to politically lobotomize us.
Why? Because if a nation’s past, greatness, and heroes are killed, the nation itself disappears. We would also begin to think that we are just like everyone else–and then moral equalivalency sets in. Corrupt and depraved nations prefer the just and great to not see themselves honestly, specifically because then there would be no counterpoint to understand the differences between good and bad.
So, all in all, let the Olympics once again be an example of American greatness for so many different reasons–because Americans are happy, healthy, and good people. Because we embrace the individual and raise up the special and talented. Because we are a nation worthy of greatness, because we are compassionate and good.
Our Olympians represent the success freedom brings. Wish them all luck and every time the anthem is played, put your hand over your heart, and thank God for the blessing of being an American.
Go USA!!
Related Links:
Official USA Olympic Team Site
I guess there are two types in this country when it comes to our national self-image. One thinks we’re evil imperialists, seeped in greed and the exploitation of others. To them this country never does the ‘right’ thing. The other thinks this country, even with its faults, has been the most positive influence in world history. We have fought communism and fascism, freed hundreds of millions throughout the world by the sacrifice of our own blood. We gave humans wings, allow them to communicate over vast distances, and greatly improved health and longevity. We are the first to send aid to areas of the world hit by disaster. We sent men to the moon, and space probes to the edge of the solar system. We have greatly increased human knowledge. What’s not to be proud of? Are we perfect? NO! Do we constantly try to overcome our faults? Yes! For all those in the first category who think the USA can do no right, ask yourselves this: What would the world look like today if the USA hadn’t existed? Do you think the world would be better off? Do you think that most of the world would live in free democracies or would most if not all of the world live in totalitarian states? I’d rather be proud of who we are, warts and all, and be part of the process of refining ourselves than irrationally hating everything we stand for and have accomplished because the rest of the world has not achieved our greatness! Go USA
This is our “get in your face” moment: to see the United States flag hoisted higher than the the other two and hear our national anthem played, hopefully over and over again. The only thing better is to have THREE U.S. flags hoisted at once.
We’ve entered the best winter olympic team ever. I think we’ve got a good chance of coming home with more medals than ever before. Events to watch are the men’s and women’s downhill, our skaters (of course) and surprise! our bobsled teams.
U-S-A, U-S-A, Go Go U-S-A!
After 911 happen I put an american flag in my window, so people on the street can see. Also, to make the bay area liberals mad. I know I’m bad;) My roomate let me know that it was weird. It’s weird that I’m proud to be an American. WTF? I didn’t care what she thought. I still kept it up there.
Nothing is wrong with America’s healthy patriotism. You are not imperialists. Look at your proteges around the world. That list starts with France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Israel…etc.
As a Canadian, I would look askance at the left’s insistance that you Americans be ashamed of your country. However, we have a worse problem here. Our new government may be able to change things a little.
But on the matter at hand, you Yanks can win all the medals you want, and I am sure you will do up near the top as a country, but your list of Gold medals will not include hockey and curling.
On the bright side, the resurgence of Canadian patriotism will eventually add to the Free World’s roster.