[Epapazian]

Yes, we make mistakes. Yes, there are many issues in our socioeconomic and political syatems that need addressing. Yes, we probably invaded Iraq under false pretences. Yes, we have racial problems. Yes, we consume too many drugs. Yes, we spend more than we earn. Yes, we are gas guzzlers. Yes, we are polluting our environment. I could go on and on. Still, there is no where else in the world I'd rather be. And, contrary to what the wife of a presidential candidate said in a recent speech, I have ALWAYS been proud to be an American. Just thought I'd get that off my chest.

[chiefs70]

I missed who said that but I can guess.

I have always been proud to be an American. We aren't always right but I believe we do the best we can under the circumstances. I too have never wanted to be anything other than an American and thank God I was fortunate enough to be born here of all the places on Earth. A lot of people would agree - after all this is still the country the world flocks to by the tens of thousands for a chance at a better life.

I am never ashamed of my family when they make mistakes - I often wish they (or I) had made better choices but I'm not ashamed of them which is the same way I feel about my country.

[Shawn 507]

Always and Forever !!!

"We love this country…warts and all. We love what it has been…what it is now…and even more…we love what America can be. We're lucky God chose us to spend our lives here…In return for that, we should pay our dues…Let's plan our lives in such a way that America will not forget what we chipped in along our ways."
- John Wayne

I am an American

I owe you no apologies nor will I accept
Those apologies made for me by others.

If you dislike me—you dislike me not for
What I am but for what you are not.
By my own sweat, I have created a lifestyle
Which I desire for all men.

To the world I have shared my wealth and
Given my blood, not because of obligation—
But by my free will. I have fed the
Hungry of the world. Many bit my hand;
I used the other hand.

I defeated my enemies in battle, then
Pulled them up from the ashes of defeat.
Once strong, they again attacked; I turned
The other cheek. Though I am strong, I
Have never used my strength to rule others.
But do not misjudge me, I will not allow the
Fear of my own strength to become my
Weakness.

If you wish to rise, I will give you a helping
Hand. But by the grace of God, and I'll
First be damned, if I'll let you drag me
Down so that we may equal.

D. Ault

[Cavtanker]

If you don't like being an American, then there's probably a unheated brick building in North Korea that's looking for an inhabitant.

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Cavtanker

If you don't like being an American, then there's probably a unheated brick building in North Korea that's looking for an inhabitant.

Or a nice cosy spot by the fire in a snow covered cabin in Canada (with internet access & diecast!!) Americans welcome any time!

JPN

[Cavtanker]

Is the fridge stocked with Labatts Blue?

[DADoser]

QUOTE in CONTEXT:

"What we've learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback and let me tell you something, for the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud. And I feel privileged to be a part of even witnessing this, traveling around states all over this country and being reminded that there is more that unites us than divides us..." Michelle Obama


"...for the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country."

Probably not the smartest use of words when your husband is running for President. But she said "really proud" - she didn't say she was ashamed of her country; or that she would rather live anywhere else; or that she hasn't had opportunity in this country. She said "really proud" which could also be interpreted as: "She had always been proud of her country, but now she is REALLY proud." ( which is the counter "most positive" interpretation vs. the "most negative" interpretation posted by the opposition, Neither is probably EXACTLY correct or honest.)

Obama as Presidential candidate has some clear problems/issues - over-interpretation (in the most negative way possible) of a statement his wife made is probably a very minor issue. My God, at his speeches people are heard chanting "USA, USA.,..."

When is the last time you heard that chanted at a Democrat function???????

I wouldn't question Obama or his family's Patriotism. I would however question his policy platforms, and debate whether they are the best for the entire nation. Hit him on his record or lack of one - not internet emails reporting stances/positions/beliefs that are not consistent with his experience and/or record.

Could we (the American people) ALL climb out of "gutter politics" and actually look at contrasting policies/platforms and actual records vs. all the other divisive B.S.???????

[sniperUK]

To the citizens of the United States of America, in the light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective today.
Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy. Your new prime minister (The Right Honourable Gordon Brown, MP for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed. To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:
1. You should look up revocation in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up aluminium. Check the pronunciation guide. You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it. The letter 'U' will be reinstated in words such as 'favour' and 'neighbour', skipping the letter 'U' is nothing more than laziness on your part. Likewise, you will learn to spell 'doughnut' without skipping half the letters. You will end your love affair with the letter 'Z' (pronounced 'zed' not 'zee') and the suffix ize will be replaced by the suffix ise. You will learn that the suffix 'burgh' is pronounced 'burra' e.g. Edinburgh. You are welcome to respell Pittsburgh as 'Pittsberg' if you can't cope with correct pronunciation.
Generally, you should raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. Look up vocabulary. Using the same twenty seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication. Look up interspersed. There will be no more 'bleeps' in the Jerry Springer show. If you're not old enough to cope with bad language then you shouldn't have chat shows. When you learn to develop your vocabulary then you won't have to use bad language as often.
2. There is no such thing as "US English". We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter 'u' and the elimination of -ize.
3. You should learn to distinguish the English and Australian accents. It really isn't that hard. English accents are not limited to cockney,upper-class twit or Mancunian (Daphne in Frasier). You will also have to learn how to understand regional accents - Scottish dramas such as Taggart will no longer be broadcast with subtitles. While we're talking about regions, you must learn that there is no such place as Devonshire in England. The name of the county is Devon. If you persist in calling it Devonshire, all American States will become shires e.g. Texasshire, Floridashire, Louisianashire.
4. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as the good guys. Hollywood will be required to cast English actors to play English characters. British sit-coms such as Men Behaving Badly or Red Dwarf will not be re-cast and watered down for a wishy-washy American audience who can't cope with the humour of occasional political incorrectness.
5. You should relearn your original national anthem, God Save The Queen but only after fully carrying out task 1. We would not want you to get confused and give up half way through.
6. You should stop playing American football. There is only one kind of football. What you refer to as American football is not a very good game. The 2.15% of you who are aware that there is a world outside your borders may have noticed that no one else plays American football. You will no longer be allowed to play it, and should instead play proper football. Initially, it would be best if you played with the girls. It is a difficult game. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which is similar to American "football", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full kevlar body armour like nancies). We are hoping to get together at least a US Rugby sevens side by 2009. You should stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the 'World Series' for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.15% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders,your error is understandable. Instead of baseball, you will be allowed to play a girls' game called rounders, which is baseball without fancy team strip, oversized gloves, collector cards or hotdogs.
7. You will no longer be allowed to own or carry guns. You will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything more dangerous in public than a vegetable peeler. Because we don't believe you are sensible enough to handle potentially dangerous items, you will require a permit if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.
8. July 4th is no longer a public holiday. November 2nd will be a new national holiday, but only in England. It will be called Indecisive Day.
9. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and it is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean. All road intersections will be replaced with roundabouts. You will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time,you will go metric with immediate effect and conversion tables. Roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.
10. You will learn to make real chips. Those things you call French fries are not real chips. Fries aren't even French, they are Belgian though 97.85% of you (including the guy who discovered fries while in Europe) are not aware of a country called Belgium. Those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called crisps. Real chips are thick cut and fried in animal fat. The traditional accompaniment to chips is beer which should be served warm and flat. Waitresses will be trained to be more aggressive with customers.
11. As a sign of penance 5 grams of sea salt per cup will be added to all tea made within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this quantity to be doubled for tea made within the city of Boston itself.
12. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all, it is lager. From November 1st only proper British Bitter will be referred to as beer,and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as Lager. The substances formerly known as American Beer will henceforth be referred to as Near-Frozen Knat's Urine,with the exception of the product of the American Budweiser company whose product will be referred to as Weak Near-Frozen Knat's Urine. This will allow true Budweiser (as manufactured for the last 1000 years in Pilsen,Czech Republic) to be sold without risk of confusion.
13. From November 10th the UK will harmonise petrol (or Gasoline, as you will be permitted to keep calling it until April 1st 2009) prices with the former USA. The UK will harmonise its prices to those of the former USA and the Former USA will, in return, adopt UK petrol prices (roughly $8/US gallon- get used to it).
14. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not grown up enough to handle a gun.
15. Please tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us crazy.
16. Tax collectors from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all revenues due (backdated to 1776).
Thank you for your co-operation and have a great day.

[Rush104]

All my life.

[Rush104]

LOL Sniper! Spoken like a true Frenchman!