Letters to the Editor
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Another article trying to change the subject
Is it possible that the real issue is Rev. Wright said horrible things about our country and for twenty years Obama sat through them and decided to raise his kids in that church? Is it possible that the issue doesn't require a context that pulls out a myriad of other people saying unrelated things that just so happen to support your thesis?
The tone of your essay is premised on patriotism is bad, anti-american rhetoric is heroic. I don't buy that. No one, but maybe a fringe of americans, believe our country is perfect. No one can ignore the horrible things the US have done. When humans are involved, bad things happen. Why your argument falls flat is your inability, or decision, to distinguish between the government and its people.
I have always thought going into Iraq was a horrible idea. My husband and I were horrified when Bush declared war. Yet, I am proudly patriotic. I love my country. Because it is made up of wonderful people of all stripes and opinions, but we have made a decision to be one, as a country, to watch each others back when threatened by other countries or ideologies. We are an immigrant country, so generational guilt trips don't work here. As a second generation Irish-American, I feel no responsibility for slavery. In the 1700-1800s while slavery was in the US my ancestors were being systematically oppressed, then starved out of Ireland. The US took a huge amount of us in and there is a gratitude that allows many immigrants to accept the US, warts and all.
This country is much like a family. If the family can't love itself, who will? That's why we're patriotic despite all the bad news. And patriotism isn't the cause of the US's bad policy. It is our voting record and the resultant administrations.