it's no secret that i'm not a fan of the current administration in the white house. in fact, i've gone so far as to admit that i am now ashamed of being an american to some sympathetic, yet slightly confused canadians. they wanted to know if my daily life had really changed that much since bush was "elected". i admitted that wasn't the case. it's more subtle than that- the pride i felt in being an american has been strongly challenged (or more truthfully, completely annihilated) in these past few years.
the pro-american bumper stickers and the like really get me going. being patriotic has become something unsavory and REPUBLICAN. yuck. although truthfully, i don't consider myself to be a true democrat, just not a george w. bush right wing, conservative, anti-choice, pre-emptive strike republican.
that's why i'd like to thank willie nelson for reminding me that there is nothing wrong with being patriotic. sounds a little silly doesn't it? but i'll give credit where it's due. patriotism doesn't equate with being a scared, mindless follower of government policy. willie nelson is a truly proud american, in the traditional manner of historic american patriotism- he loves his country but recognizes its issues and speaks out about them when he can. maybe i'm wrong, but i'd bet that he's no george w. fan either.
i saw willie in concert the other day and cringed when a giant american flag unfurled behind him to the cheers of the crowd. then i realized that i'm letting my frustration with one administration color my experience of being a young, politically-minded american. shit, i'm too young to be bitter. i don't need to give up on my country just yet. i can wait until the outcome of the election at least. (that's almost sarcasm.)
