Ever since the 9/11 attacks, it's seemed as though many on the right side of the political spectrum have increasingly been of the mindset that if one doesn't consistently showcase the American flag with the clothing they wear, doesn't scream he or she loves America through a megaphone at least five times a day, and doesn't acknowledge at least twice a week that America is the greatest country in the history of the universe, that person can't be truly patriotic; and if a person so much as questions America on any front, that individual hates the country and should move elsewhere. I'm sorry, but that mentality is stupid to a degree of which Sheldon Cooper isn't even aware.
Sure, it's great for a person to love his or her country or to love their local sports team, but it's also ridiculous to think a country or sports team lacks fault. Many seem to think that if a person doesn't feel their country is perfect, they can't love their country. That's nonsense. Of the following two people, who is showcasing a greater love for their country?
Person A: Shouts he loves his country as many times as his voice can muster, regularly wears apparel sporting the American flag, thinks this country is perfect, and because of that, doesn't think any changes should be made
Person B: Acknowledges the country is lagging behind others when it comes to education, healthcare, environmental protections, and infrastructure, and is doing all she can to help make the necessary changes to improve the country's standing in those areas, for her generation and future generations
I'm sorry, but I'll give the significant edge to Person B. Person A has it easy. All he has to do is yell, "I love America" and "America is the best!" Person B, meanwhile, is taking action to actually try to improve the country. I love my parents, but I know they're not perfect, and think they continually try to grow as people. I think I'm a decent person, but again, I'm not perfect, and know the first step to improving a weak area of mine is to admit it exists. How can one grow and improve oneself if they feel they're already perfect? That's the key problem with this America-is-the-best-ever mentality. If one can't acknowledge any fault in this country, how are we to improve on our flaws? It's quite comical when you really think about it, because a lot of the people with this mentality are also stout believers in Jesus. So, if they firmly believe Jesus was the only perfect being to ever walk the earth, and everyone else, due to being imperfect, has to be saved by him in order to reach heaven, how then can they believe America, comprised of 319 million imperfect people, can be perfect? Yes, that's a mystery to me as well.
To illustrate just how ridiculous this mindset is, allow me to compare it to sports courtesy of the following back-and-forth between a reporter and a college head football coach.
Reporter Tracy Wolfbeard: "Coach, after your third consecutive 0-12 season, what's going through your mind right now?"
Coach Ralphie Brainstein: "As I've been saying since the time we were 0-0 three years ago to the time we were 0-36 as of today, we are the greatest team in the history of college football!"
Reporter Wolfbeard: "But, your record... Your team has lost 36 consecutive games and were ranked dead last this year in all offensive and defensive categories..."
Coach Brainstein: "I don't care what those numbers have to say! They're all biased anyway you know!"
Reporter Wolfbeard: "Okay... So, if you stick around next year, what do you think your team could do to improve?"
Coach Brainstein: "Absolutely nothing! We're the best! We're the greatest! Anyone that says any differently is stupid! ...and if any of our fans say any differently, they're traitors and should find a new team!!!"
Reporter Wolfbeard: "I'm sorry to have to report this to you, coach, but I've just received notice that you've been fired..."
Coach Brainstein: "Fired?!? Me?!? For what?!? I only built the best damn team in the history of the world! What the hell is that?!? Eh... Whatever... Ya'll can kiss my butt! I'm outta here!"
Yes, like I said, ridiculous...
Sure, it's great for a person to love his or her country or to love their local sports team, but it's also ridiculous to think a country or sports team lacks fault. Many seem to think that if a person doesn't feel their country is perfect, they can't love their country. That's nonsense. Of the following two people, who is showcasing a greater love for their country?
Person A: Shouts he loves his country as many times as his voice can muster, regularly wears apparel sporting the American flag, thinks this country is perfect, and because of that, doesn't think any changes should be made
Person B: Acknowledges the country is lagging behind others when it comes to education, healthcare, environmental protections, and infrastructure, and is doing all she can to help make the necessary changes to improve the country's standing in those areas, for her generation and future generations
I'm sorry, but I'll give the significant edge to Person B. Person A has it easy. All he has to do is yell, "I love America" and "America is the best!" Person B, meanwhile, is taking action to actually try to improve the country. I love my parents, but I know they're not perfect, and think they continually try to grow as people. I think I'm a decent person, but again, I'm not perfect, and know the first step to improving a weak area of mine is to admit it exists. How can one grow and improve oneself if they feel they're already perfect? That's the key problem with this America-is-the-best-ever mentality. If one can't acknowledge any fault in this country, how are we to improve on our flaws? It's quite comical when you really think about it, because a lot of the people with this mentality are also stout believers in Jesus. So, if they firmly believe Jesus was the only perfect being to ever walk the earth, and everyone else, due to being imperfect, has to be saved by him in order to reach heaven, how then can they believe America, comprised of 319 million imperfect people, can be perfect? Yes, that's a mystery to me as well.
To illustrate just how ridiculous this mindset is, allow me to compare it to sports courtesy of the following back-and-forth between a reporter and a college head football coach.
Reporter Tracy Wolfbeard: "Coach, after your third consecutive 0-12 season, what's going through your mind right now?"
Coach Ralphie Brainstein: "As I've been saying since the time we were 0-0 three years ago to the time we were 0-36 as of today, we are the greatest team in the history of college football!"
Reporter Wolfbeard: "But, your record... Your team has lost 36 consecutive games and were ranked dead last this year in all offensive and defensive categories..."
Coach Brainstein: "I don't care what those numbers have to say! They're all biased anyway you know!"
Reporter Wolfbeard: "Okay... So, if you stick around next year, what do you think your team could do to improve?"
Coach Brainstein: "Absolutely nothing! We're the best! We're the greatest! Anyone that says any differently is stupid! ...and if any of our fans say any differently, they're traitors and should find a new team!!!"
Reporter Wolfbeard: "I'm sorry to have to report this to you, coach, but I've just received notice that you've been fired..."
Coach Brainstein: "Fired?!? Me?!? For what?!? I only built the best damn team in the history of the world! What the hell is that?!? Eh... Whatever... Ya'll can kiss my butt! I'm outta here!"
Yes, like I said, ridiculous...
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