I'll Gladly Stand Up

These days, you can hear them just about everywhere; those who want to make us feel guilty for being Americans—citizens of the greatest nation, ever. Yes, we do consume more energy per capita than other nations. But the abundance that we’ve created for ourselves, and the rest of the world is breathtaking. Grains of all varieties, finished goods from electronics to Egg McMuffins, seeds of freedom and self-determination, have infused the whispers of hope and prosperity into every nation, culture, and neighborhood.

In the immortal words of a well-worn Sinatra tune, “Regrets, (we’ve) had a few; but then again, too few to mention. (We) did what (we) had to do And saw it through without exception.” Sure, this country has stumbled a few times. But when, in the history of the world, has there been a conquerer, that consistently gave back the captured land; just walked away, and expected the conquered to behave? Has it been done perfectly? No. Did we stay some places too long after the clouds of war wisped away? Probably. Have we ransacked, pillaged, and enslaved the nations we’ve ‘conquered?’ Hardly.

The irony of it all, is we have become so accustomed to this perspective, we don’t recognize the monumental generosity that is the United States of America, to the rest of the world. We start to feel guilty for consuming ‘too much.’ We continually challenge ourselves, looking inward for ways to improve. At times it backfires; our small, inconsequential errors, seem like the objects in the rear view mirror ‘larger than they appear’.

This nation should never cease to refine, reassess, and review our actions, at home and abroad. Arrogance will lead to weakness and disintegration. But the opposite can be just as destructive. Undue self-flagellation, will tear us down, and snuff that spark that burns deep. “Yes there were times, I'm sure you knew, When (we) bit off more than (we) could chew, But thru' it all, when there was doubt, (we) ate it up, and spit it out. (we) faced it all and (we) stood tall, and did it (our) way.”

It is time to be grateful, not guilty for this land "made for you and me." Hope not hysteria. Dialogue and debate, not dissention and divisiveness. There are divergent points of view, there always have been. Rancorous elections are not new. Anger and hatred are older than the nation. True greatness comes when we are able to respect all points of perspective, and find a solution that, at least, considers the minority voices.

I’m sorry Rev. Wright, God bless America, is the only dictum we have the right to muster, the rest is in His hands! Perhaps we should read, sing, and listen to all of the versus of the National Anthem, here is the last:

Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand. Between their loved home and the war's desolation: Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just. And this be our motto: "In God is our trust". And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.