I see a lot of friends in email and on social media saying they are ashamed to be American today. Not me. I’m proud to be an American. I don’t think we’re the best country because I’m an American. I think we’re the best country because I’ve lived and traveled around the world and seen the others. We are the best.
Your last sentence nailed it, Erick: "I’m proud to be an American. But I’m ashamed of my government and demand Congress do its job instead of serving as chief apologist for the second branch." So am I. I'm also ashamed that we have a "news media" which manages to feel no shame at being one party's Ministry of Propaganda. People in journalism have the right to have personal partisan political opinions and to act on them as citizens, but when doing their job, their sole allegiance should be toi the truth. I'm ashamed that we let them get away with that.
I'm ashamed at the military in which I served for 20 years. We're so often told that U.S. Transportation Command at Scott AFB, IL has the best military logisticians in the world. Well, where the hell have they been for the last month? Maybe we ought to have contracted this job out to FedEx or UPS, so it could have been done properly. The civilian and military leadership at the Department of Defense should have spent less time reading Robin DeAngelo and more time reading the intelligence reports which clearly showed that the Afghan National Army was folding like a cheap card table, and started the evacuation sooner. I'm ashamed that, after all these years, we still haven't realized that the average person we elevate to the status of head of state in whatever nation we're trying to build always seems to be some sort of Third World grifter who happily loots both us and his country's treasury, then makes a clean getaway. I recommend our next drone strike take out former Afghan Grifter-In-Chief Ashraf Ghani, if only to make it clear to the next one. if we ever get this stupid again, that looting us to the tune of many millions of dollars is not the way to show your gratitude. I'm ashamed that after all these years and all these failures, we still think that "nation building" is still a viable concept. Give the whole idea back to the idiot neocons who are so enamored of it, and then never listen to them ever again. And finally, I'm ashamed that we were stupid enough to both trust, and continue to trust, a bunch of 7th Century Islamic fanatics with security for the Biden Bugout.
I love my country. I fear and distrust my country's government - ALL of it.
Erick, You have some bright subscribers and responders to your Confessions of a Political Junkie. Sometimes it behooves me to wait to reply. I have some concerns I'd like to express. Some have been suggested below. The shame people are expressing IS shame in our government, or at least that seems to be the case to me. Therein lies ONE problem we have as a nation. People have lost the ability to communicate.
People also confuse the USA, our great country, with our government and claim to be ashamed to be American. The 2ND problem. People are losing individuality and the ability to claim it and stand strong for their individual identity. I'm a proud American who recognizes many problems with BOTH political parties. I am embarrassed of our government, but to be ashamed of it would be to imply I had some control over their behavior. Now, maybe had I voted for Biden, that would be something to be ashamed of. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for sharing your feelings and thoughts about recent events and responses. I think they echo what a lot of other Americans think and feel at this time.
All good points, Eric, but still we should abolish our government, every bit of it, and start over. To save time after we've gotten rid of the idiots who think we work for them, we can simply use our old constitution and add the 11th Amendment "Elected office holders shall only serve one term in the office to which they are elected."
Well said Erick. I am proud of my country, and display an American flag on my car. I am disgusted with our leadership, both now and in the past decade. Too many are more concerned with the R or D after their name.
Let's touch on some falsehoods we have going on here in America!
Ready?
Racism is rampant in America 'cause White Supremacy makes the whole country's police force kill and harass black people !
Yeah , well let's see.. how many times is the policeman himself, black? Could you perhaps gave them a reason to defend themselves against you? Stop you?
Go to South Africa to see real racism up close and personal!
Has it occurred to you the reason we can't "win" in places like Afghanistan is religious racism? Question. Is the members of the Taliban...Afghans themselves? Or do they come from somewhere else? Americans do not understand that racism is more rampant in other countries, and also can't grasp that you cannot legislate racism out of existence!
Go to China! They have state sanctioned religious racism! Just ask any Uyghur whether they would like to live here in this 'racist' country, or stay in China!
MOST, if not all problems in this country are caused by and implemented by our corrupt government! Portland Oregon shows what happens when leadership only cares about power! The border crisis is about leadership not caring for human life. Children aren't safe on our city streets because leaders won't MAKE them safe! Police have become the enemy because leadership wants to be liked by the noisy few who want anarchy! We can say "well that's only in Democrat held locations, it'll never happen here"! I got news for you. Watch who's moving INTO your area! Oh that family moved here from New York to escape the taxes and stupid laws! Yeah? Watch how quickly they demand THE SAME THINGS THEY HAD THERE! Democrats want to rule this country, could care less about the constitution, and so they infiltrate *move* to your location, and more and more move in, until YOU move out, or enough move in to vote themselves into power!
These people are Globalists, who want to shut us down! The "Deep State" is world wide, not DC swamp based! China controls people like Biden! Trump? He was not rejected because of "mean tweets", they're coming after him m, Eric and other conservatives BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT Deep State! They love our country, our Constitution, and stand in the way of the WORLD wide Deep State government! Stop 'em where you live!
I am, too! What other country is like America? A look back through our history should make us proud of all the things we have overcome. Perfect, no. But, always striving to do and be better. To fiercely protect our way of life. God has blessed Americans with courage, freedom, charity, and ingenuity. May He continue to guide us and see us through the storms we face. May He give us wisdom to navigate our course to protect our culture, borders, language, government by the people and for the people. May He keep His hand on our hearts and the hearts of our leaders and help us to make the right choices to right our wrongs. Like Benjamin Franklin said to the woman who asked him what kind of government had the founding fathers given our nation and he answered, “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.” And, keep it, we must. Proud Americans continue to respond to that that challenge through every crisis and struggle we have as a nation. It is our individual responsibility to protect our nation’s heritage.
The US was the greatest country in the world. Leadership over the lasr two decades has weakened and tarnished her. Having said that. American people are some of the most self-sufficient and generous on the planet and the constitutional democratic republic is the best form of government by, for, and of the people. I wouldn't live anywhere else.
I agree. But what do I say to those that simply respond, "but the GOP and Trump."?
Did R politicians criticize Trump for his over the top antics over 4 years?
I can't have a conversation with someone who thinks Jan 6 was worse that 9/11, that is a stupid position. But the GOP did appeared to backup the rebellion.
Yes, it's redirection to respond, "Trump". It means they don't want to talk about Biden and admit they are wrong.
Yes, both sides in Congress are party first rather than acting like an independent branch of government.
I too am embarrassed by our government. I don't think I can vote for Herschel Walker, but I damn sure can't vote for a Democrat. Someone will win. If the parties don't, or are incapable of controlling who runs under their banner then we the people are locked in death embrace with Democrats and Republicans, and they will destroy the country with or without any given individual's vote.
Absolutely agree. Not ashamed to be American; disgusted and ashamed of our "leaders". Yes, the "other side" is guilty but let's stay on topic. WE are talking about Biden and this absolutely horrific situation in Afghanistan, the callous disregard for human life; the lies, the incompetence, hubris, and arrogance of the man in the Oval Office.
Amen, Erick, Amen! Where are the moderate Democrats? They ALWAYS capitulate to the progressives. How do they look at themselves in the mirror? They all sell themselves to the devil for power. I am proud of and LOVE America and I am ashamed of my government.
Your last sentence nailed it, Erick: "I’m proud to be an American. But I’m ashamed of my government and demand Congress do its job instead of serving as chief apologist for the second branch." So am I. I'm also ashamed that we have a "news media" which manages to feel no shame at being one party's Ministry of Propaganda. People in journalism have the right to have personal partisan political opinions and to act on them as citizens, but when doing their job, their sole allegiance should be toi the truth. I'm ashamed that we let them get away with that.
I'm ashamed at the military in which I served for 20 years. We're so often told that U.S. Transportation Command at Scott AFB, IL has the best military logisticians in the world. Well, where the hell have they been for the last month? Maybe we ought to have contracted this job out to FedEx or UPS, so it could have been done properly. The civilian and military leadership at the Department of Defense should have spent less time reading Robin DeAngelo and more time reading the intelligence reports which clearly showed that the Afghan National Army was folding like a cheap card table, and started the evacuation sooner. I'm ashamed that, after all these years, we still haven't realized that the average person we elevate to the status of head of state in whatever nation we're trying to build always seems to be some sort of Third World grifter who happily loots both us and his country's treasury, then makes a clean getaway. I recommend our next drone strike take out former Afghan Grifter-In-Chief Ashraf Ghani, if only to make it clear to the next one. if we ever get this stupid again, that looting us to the tune of many millions of dollars is not the way to show your gratitude. I'm ashamed that after all these years and all these failures, we still think that "nation building" is still a viable concept. Give the whole idea back to the idiot neocons who are so enamored of it, and then never listen to them ever again. And finally, I'm ashamed that we were stupid enough to both trust, and continue to trust, a bunch of 7th Century Islamic fanatics with security for the Biden Bugout.
I love my country. I fear and distrust my country's government - ALL of it.
It is good that the Biden mentality wasn’t behind the Dunkirk evacuation.
Erick, You have some bright subscribers and responders to your Confessions of a Political Junkie. Sometimes it behooves me to wait to reply. I have some concerns I'd like to express. Some have been suggested below. The shame people are expressing IS shame in our government, or at least that seems to be the case to me. Therein lies ONE problem we have as a nation. People have lost the ability to communicate.
People also confuse the USA, our great country, with our government and claim to be ashamed to be American. The 2ND problem. People are losing individuality and the ability to claim it and stand strong for their individual identity. I'm a proud American who recognizes many problems with BOTH political parties. I am embarrassed of our government, but to be ashamed of it would be to imply I had some control over their behavior. Now, maybe had I voted for Biden, that would be something to be ashamed of. Keep up the good work.
When the last flight out of Afghanistan carries over 100 animals from a local animal shelter, I wonder at priorities.
Thank you for sharing your feelings and thoughts about recent events and responses. I think they echo what a lot of other Americans think and feel at this time.
All good points, Eric, but still we should abolish our government, every bit of it, and start over. To save time after we've gotten rid of the idiots who think we work for them, we can simply use our old constitution and add the 11th Amendment "Elected office holders shall only serve one term in the office to which they are elected."
Well said Erick. I am proud of my country, and display an American flag on my car. I am disgusted with our leadership, both now and in the past decade. Too many are more concerned with the R or D after their name.
Could not have said it any better! “We the people “ need to hold the elected responsible and demand accountability.
Me too, Erick! Proud of this country and our military.
Well said!
Barefoot
just now
What country can be better?
Let's touch on some falsehoods we have going on here in America!
Ready?
Racism is rampant in America 'cause White Supremacy makes the whole country's police force kill and harass black people !
Yeah , well let's see.. how many times is the policeman himself, black? Could you perhaps gave them a reason to defend themselves against you? Stop you?
Go to South Africa to see real racism up close and personal!
Has it occurred to you the reason we can't "win" in places like Afghanistan is religious racism? Question. Is the members of the Taliban...Afghans themselves? Or do they come from somewhere else? Americans do not understand that racism is more rampant in other countries, and also can't grasp that you cannot legislate racism out of existence!
Go to China! They have state sanctioned religious racism! Just ask any Uyghur whether they would like to live here in this 'racist' country, or stay in China!
MOST, if not all problems in this country are caused by and implemented by our corrupt government! Portland Oregon shows what happens when leadership only cares about power! The border crisis is about leadership not caring for human life. Children aren't safe on our city streets because leaders won't MAKE them safe! Police have become the enemy because leadership wants to be liked by the noisy few who want anarchy! We can say "well that's only in Democrat held locations, it'll never happen here"! I got news for you. Watch who's moving INTO your area! Oh that family moved here from New York to escape the taxes and stupid laws! Yeah? Watch how quickly they demand THE SAME THINGS THEY HAD THERE! Democrats want to rule this country, could care less about the constitution, and so they infiltrate *move* to your location, and more and more move in, until YOU move out, or enough move in to vote themselves into power!
These people are Globalists, who want to shut us down! The "Deep State" is world wide, not DC swamp based! China controls people like Biden! Trump? He was not rejected because of "mean tweets", they're coming after him m, Eric and other conservatives BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT Deep State! They love our country, our Constitution, and stand in the way of the WORLD wide Deep State government! Stop 'em where you live!
I am, too! What other country is like America? A look back through our history should make us proud of all the things we have overcome. Perfect, no. But, always striving to do and be better. To fiercely protect our way of life. God has blessed Americans with courage, freedom, charity, and ingenuity. May He continue to guide us and see us through the storms we face. May He give us wisdom to navigate our course to protect our culture, borders, language, government by the people and for the people. May He keep His hand on our hearts and the hearts of our leaders and help us to make the right choices to right our wrongs. Like Benjamin Franklin said to the woman who asked him what kind of government had the founding fathers given our nation and he answered, “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.” And, keep it, we must. Proud Americans continue to respond to that that challenge through every crisis and struggle we have as a nation. It is our individual responsibility to protect our nation’s heritage.
The US was the greatest country in the world. Leadership over the lasr two decades has weakened and tarnished her. Having said that. American people are some of the most self-sufficient and generous on the planet and the constitutional democratic republic is the best form of government by, for, and of the people. I wouldn't live anywhere else.
I agree. But what do I say to those that simply respond, "but the GOP and Trump."?
Did R politicians criticize Trump for his over the top antics over 4 years?
I can't have a conversation with someone who thinks Jan 6 was worse that 9/11, that is a stupid position. But the GOP did appeared to backup the rebellion.
Yes, it's redirection to respond, "Trump". It means they don't want to talk about Biden and admit they are wrong.
Yes, both sides in Congress are party first rather than acting like an independent branch of government.
I too am embarrassed by our government. I don't think I can vote for Herschel Walker, but I damn sure can't vote for a Democrat. Someone will win. If the parties don't, or are incapable of controlling who runs under their banner then we the people are locked in death embrace with Democrats and Republicans, and they will destroy the country with or without any given individual's vote.
Absolutely agree. Not ashamed to be American; disgusted and ashamed of our "leaders". Yes, the "other side" is guilty but let's stay on topic. WE are talking about Biden and this absolutely horrific situation in Afghanistan, the callous disregard for human life; the lies, the incompetence, hubris, and arrogance of the man in the Oval Office.
Amen, Erick, Amen! Where are the moderate Democrats? They ALWAYS capitulate to the progressives. How do they look at themselves in the mirror? They all sell themselves to the devil for power. I am proud of and LOVE America and I am ashamed of my government.