The Restoring America rally is going on as I type – or maybe it’s just now over. Patriotism — hell even mere pride of place — has become passe to many Americans… something of which we are sometimes made to feel ashamed or reticent to talk about. To hell with that. I love my country and I know I am blessed to have been born here (or on one of its military bases — aka bastions of freedom) and to live here. So what are your 5 favorite things about the U.S. of A.? This is an admittedly broad list, but what are the things that we love that are unique to here — that you might not ever find anywhere else or if you do you would go — “that’s very American of you”. Here are mine:
1. George Washington… He was uniquely gifted to be our first President. How many opportunities did this man have to arrogate power to himself and become dictator or king — and yet he stuck to his republican ideals? I have yet to read anything about this man that lowers him in my estimation. On the contrary, everything I learn about him makes me thank God for him even more and offer a prayer for a leader that is even half the man George Washington was. I’ll say it. I love George Washington.
2. First Amendment
I’m not sure which California politician this woman is speaking to — like it matters. In America we speak our piece — to your face and sometimes in your face. Rude? Sometimes. Hateful and hurtful? Too much sometimes. Free? Damn right. And check out the end of the video… in America speaking your mind will get you laid.
3. Texas — there’s just not enough space.
4. Ingenuity I blogged on the huge days long traffic jam in China the other day. The people are just sitting there with their cars — still! What the hell is that? I’m not exactly sure how that would go down in America, but someone in charge of traffic would get an earful at least and he’d probably find a lot of vehicles off-roading it. We wouldn’t put up with crap like that. At the very least… I’m leaving my car to get home and I’ll let my insurance pay for my stolen vehicle. I like to think we might pull a Patton and shoot the donkey causing the traffic jam and throw his carcass off the bridge.
5. Highways
I love driving out West on big beautiful open highways. Nothing like ‘em in the world.
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Hard to argue with that list (though shot in a chincy studio I’ll even throw in a limey tribute to your #5 below). Adding…
Ronald Reagan: A man who did his damnedest to remind us of the Founders. Aside from post-WWII, can’t imagine a period better in our history to be proud of the USA than his years in office. Six-year-old me really dug the Bicentennial celebration, too.
Rock and Roll: Sure, jazz is ours, too, and nothing against that genre at all. R&R embodies America’s rebellious spirit far more in my book, though, inspiring freedom-lovers around the world.
The Melting Pot concept: None of this current crap posing as “melting pot,” either. I welcome with open arms anyone wishing to make a better life for themselves by coming to our sea-to-shining-sea shores, but with one caveat: assimilate, don’t denigrate.
Carter was President during the bicentennial.
Carter didn’t take office until Jan. 1977. We did of course elect him during the bicentennial — which is just as bad. Let’s celebrate our birthday by doing something stupid.
Really, Prof Rufus? Considering he was still on the campaign trail 7/4/76, maybe wanna re-think that one?
It’s really OK to be schooled by 6-year-old me. 40-year-old? Not so much.
For the record, I started typing this while Floyd was in the process of posting his schooling.
Yes, it was the campaign I was thinking of. Oops. But I still don’t understand your point. You were going on and on about Reagan and then mentioned how much you liked the bicentennial. I thought you were adding that the bicentennial was just one more great thing about Reagan’s Presidency. Apparently you weren’t relating the two at all.
By the way, you’ve probably already assumed this, but I have been able to recite the Presidents, in order, since the age of 11. Give me a pen, paper and about 10 minutes and I can back into all of their years of service. I might make a few mistakes with guys like McKinley or Tyler, but I’ll be pretty darned close.
Yeah, could have been more clear about that, using a “Separately…” before the Bicentennial sentiment.
Not your fault. I assumed, and, as Felix Unger tells us, when we assume…
Immigrants- it seems like every generation gets less and less thankful for being American. And the Americans that manage to keep their patriotism are mocked by our cultural elites as losers. But the newly-arrived immigrants, the ones who have lived in soul-crushing poverty with no opportunity, the ones who know what it’s like to fear the police rather than feel protected by them…those are the people that are carrying the torch of patriotism, the ones who understand what a truly special place this is.
I, too, could not argue with your list, or with the additions from Eric, however, if I could just add one more thing…I know, it was Top 5, but hey, it’s America. How can there be only 5…or 8? So, my addition…The 2nd Amendment.
SOUTHERN FRIED…Chicken Fried steak,mashed taters,and gravy.”Cumfert” food as we call it,the Manifest Destiny of your waistline!!!
1. The Sons of Liberty – Especially Sam Adams and the Boston boys, whom without, we probably wouldn’t have the freedom we have today.
2. Frank Sinatra – Bono was right when he said that when Sinatra died, it signified the end of the 20th century. Our culture wouldn’t be the same if there was never a Sinatra.
3. The American Dream – No matter who you are, as long as you’re willing to work your ass off for what you want and believe in, you have so many opportunities to be successful and live a good life (see also, Sinatra).
4. American Movies – The rest of the world copies our movies because they’re the best. I’m not talking about the crap Hollywood turns out, but the legendary actors, actresses, directors, and genres. As great as some foreign actors are, we have John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Bette Davis, Rita Hayworth, John Ford, Orson Welles, etc. Not to mention the blockbusters when they’re good ones.
5. Comic Books – We did it first and still do it best. What would childhood be without comic books?
>>What would childhood be without comic books?>>
Exactly why I cry for the crap the big boys are putting out now (see, Daniel C’s post about DC in today’s Open Thread).
I was driving home earlier and I heard Aretha on the radio and it made me think of this post… and this moment. Back in 1998 Luciano Pavarotti was supposed to sing his signature Nessun Dorma — which was freaking awesome…. Anyway… het gets “sick” or whatever and his doctors tell him not to sing. So Aretha, who had sung it a few times is asked shortly before airtime could she sing this beast of a song live since Pavarotti can’t go on.
A black girl from Detroit wouldn’t even sniff an opera stage in many places in the world much less besmirch a precious aria. F- that. You’re in America buddy. We CAN DO. Is it as good as Pavarotti’s? Not in the way it’s supposed to be. Is it better than Pavarotti’s version? In ways that are more important than aesthetics. It is, to me, quintessentially American.
I’ll second one of Matt’s:
Hollywood – It might be a bastion of Leftist Group Think today, but it’s still the Dream Factory. And we can take it back. It just might take a while.
Broadway, Jazz (with the exception of Kenny G.
) & the Blues. A lot of folks think Country is America’s music (and I’ve nothing against it), but I have to vote for the trifecta of Broadway, Jazz and the Blues for America’s songbook.
Country, by and large, is Ireland’s music … which is A-OK for this American.
1: Hunting. Having a place in the world where I can carry my rifle or shotgun and do what I do and no one can tell me I can’t. That is the meaning of liberty.
2: American Football…Thursday the college season starts. Dang..
3: Rock Music, Country Music.
4: First AMendment…
5: The land that is so beautiful from one coast to the other, from Texas to Alaska, from New York to Hawaii, defines the most amazing, beautiful bit of humanity on God’s green earth. Thats right, thats us, its ours. We own it.
[...] America — Hell Yeah! Weekend 5 [...]
[...] here. So I stepped in and as usual brought a knife to a gunfight his “A-game” asking you to name 5 things you love about America… let the jingoism run free — or as Lefties like to complain… “The Jingos [...]