America – PII's Perspective

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my country, it’s history, it’s possible future, and what it is about this nation that makes it so very unique.

Tony Blair was quoted as saying this recently when asked about why he supports America:

“A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in … And how many want out.”

In my opinion I don’t think truer words have ever been spoken.

Why am I posting this thread? I honestly don’t really know. Most of the people on this forum aren’t even American in nationality (which stands to reason as it is an international forum and America makes up only a small percentage of the world’s population), and many of them aren’t very big fans of my country for various reasons, some of which are valid and some of which aren’t.

I suppose this is just my way of saying that I don’t really care anymore. People are going to say what they will about America and that’s fine by me. I’ve never been more proud to be a United States citizen than I am at this point in my life. I’m just starting out on what I hope will be a worthwhile career in the United States Air Force, and I aim to do everything I can to defend my country. Did I join solely for the reason to defend my nation? No. I joined because I’ve always wanted to fly airplanes for a living, and I figured the military would give me a good shot at doing that and I could do my part in serving my country while I’m at it. Two birds with one stone……that sort of thing.

As a result of this life choice I will likely be viewed as nothing more than a mindless servant of someone like George W. Bush though in reality I know better. I also know that America is not a perfect nation, and alas since we are a nation of human beings we will never be perfect. Do I think that we are perhaps the greatest nation on Earth? I don’t know I suppose history will judge us thousands of years on down the road. I know that in my opinion we aren’t all that bad. In fact, I’d say we’ve done some pretty amazing things on this planet and yet we seem to be the object of more criticism and disdain than any other nation I can think of despite the fact that if history was to judge right now I’d say our wrongs are definitely overshadowed by our rights.

For the United States it seems that we are damned if we do, and damned if we don’t. The rest of the world always seems to criticize us when we don’t take action and then go back and criticize us when we do. I feel that America is held to a very strange double standard by the rest of the world.

To this I must reply that I simply do not care anymore what anyone else on this entire planet thinks of America who is not an American. Love it or leave it, we are who we are, and just because the world thinks we should change to suit its needs doesn’t mean that’s going to happen, and as well it shouldn’t. This isn’t a case of “you’re with me or you’re against me”…..it’s a case of if you’re with me then great but I don’t really care, if not then great but I still don’t care.

Keep in mind my views are just that…..my own…..other Americans would likely disagree with me, but I can’t help how I feel.

If I am to be labelled a Western, right-wing, capitalist pig, then so be it. I won’t lose any sleep over it.

The Irans of the world will say what they will simply because America by its sheer existence, stands for the one thing they cannot tolerate….the freedom to do and say and be whatever you want whenever you want.

In closing I don’t know why I went on this little rant. I will likely be flamed, tarred, and feathered and whatever else, but again, I just don’t care anymore. Anyone else’s opinion of me or my country doesn’t even register in my brain anymore. I just write them off and ignore them. I don’t have a great repuation around this forum anyways so what does it matter I ask?

The mods might even delete this thread……who knows.

Do I intend it as a thread to belittle the nations of others? Nope. I’m simply saying that I’m more proud to be an American than I have ever been before, and that I don’t really care what the rest of the world thinks.

Anyone is free to post comments or opinions or whatever they want, but it doesn’t matter to me because I truly don’t care.