July 4, 2003
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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are Created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalieanable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of Government becoes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Red is for Blood
Of Patriots who Died
to Free us
White is for Justice
and Government of Law
Blue is for Honor
and Faith in all we do
This is our Flag
This is Old Glory
And it represents
the Spirit of America
For most of my life, American patriotism has struck me as an odd and perhaps even embarrassingly outdated position. The American flag has reminded me of broken promises, emotional appeals without logical basis, and global interference with the governments and policies of other people. I have felt a great need to apologize to the world - we aren't all like this! We aren't all arrogant, self-righteous, and short-sighted.
I'm not sure when the change in my view took place. It could be when I started reading history. Or maybe it was when I started seeing things less in black and white and more in shades of gray. Maybe it was when I realized how very arrogant, self-righteous and short-sighted I am. As I've come to accept my own imperfections and to focus more on growing out of them than wallowing in guilt over them, I've become less demanding of perfection in the people around me and in the nation we comprise.
I've come to see that America is what we make of her. For all our flaws, we have the greatest opportunity in the history of mankind to live free and prosper. Now when I look at the flag it symbolizes for me the ideals that we set for ourselves. The fact that we don't reach the ideal doesn't make it a less worthy goal.
Past
Freedom is bought with blood
I will remember the river shed.
Future
Justice under Law is the goal
I will work to make it so.
Present
Honor and Faith are my currency
I will pay my debts with pride.
What do you think when you see the flag?
Comments (14)
I was raised during the 50's during the Eisenhower years in a small town smack dab in the middle of one of the biggest wheat producing areas in the US...Eastern Washington.
My first political awareness was when JFK was murdered...and I began to question....Then there was Viet Nam, Watergate...
I dropped out of the mainstream for about 30 years, starting in 1974 so the idea of the United States governement was repellant. I was part of the counter culture and a pacifist. I lived in a religious commmune and developed a different way of seeing the world.
I think it is shameful what the what the white man has done....the destruction/humilation of the Native Americans of this country disgusts and saddens me.
When I see the flag now I think of the spirit and the freedoms that this country started with. That is what I believe..America as it is now is in trouble but I think that the general, run of the mill citizen is not aware of this....the media is in control and the media does not tell us the truth. We must educated ourselves.
When I hear God Bless America I think..yes, America needs help..
Being under the leadership of a right wing, radical "Christian" republican is a little scary. His crusade is scary...his money is scary....his taxcuts, his views on the environment, health care, civil liberties, is scary.
Supposedly we have the right to vote and change this but after the last election I do wonder.
I will still vote and participate but my faith was greatly shaken as I am begining to see the power/money/conglomorates take control while the poor get poorer...
Look at the unemployment and the statistics on the homeless.
Excuse my rant...
A little patriotism goes a long way, and shouldn't blind anyone to the truths of whose blood was shed, for what reasons, at what times.
The flag? It's a symbol of everything and nothing that has to do with the nation. It's a symbol of what we wish were true -- our ideals -- and what we make true -- our actions, day by day, the things we make happen and let happen, as Americans. There are undeniable freedoms for many inherent in the American Way, and undeniable costs to others.
I'm working on 4 July, and this to me is a more focussed symbol of America: Freedom isn't free, you have to work for it. Peace.
Do something patriotic today, like play with sparklers!
I'm not an American. I would like to answer your question, but I don't know if you would like the answer.
So many Americans philosophy is, if you ain't for us, you're against us and interpret even the mildest criticism as the worst kind of insult that proves the person is an enemy.
So suffice it to say that if I had six months to go travelling, America would be my first choice. I've only been a few times and I would love to see your country and experience it first hand.
God Bless America!
God Bless - Dale
I'm really not sure how I feel about the flag. I should really think about it, and get back to you...
Happy 4th, regardless. Yeah yeah, I'm a Brit...I'll get past that whole colony thing someday
Wellll.....as you can see from mine, I am not a flag-bearer. But I did squeeze those inalienable rights in, regardless
. Happy Belated Fourth, you lovely American (who is the epitomy of what Americans should all strive to be -- considerate, careful, and above all thoughtful)! 
S.O.S. is what comes to mind these days, I am afraid.
Good blog!
I loved your post! Your honest, and frankness is great. I guess I come froma diferent background than most of these that are commenting, but when I see the flag I am proud. It reminds me of the military who are serving to protect us and others here in the states and across the world. It reminds me of those that came before to fight the good fight, and those that shed their blood for others. It reminds me of everything good about the country, in my eyes I guess. Do we have our faults, do we have our failures?? Yes, but then who doesn't? Give me the land of the free anytime!
What do I think when I see the flag? I think I am blessed to live here; it's like family -- it isn't perfect, but it's ours. I would imagine it is the same way that anyone in the world who loves their country feels when they see their flag --proud!
As bad as America is right now, they do not have anywhere near the kind of social problems that exist in the England of today. (Maybe that is just around the corner, though - because I can see signs beginning to develop.)
The colonialism that appears from time to time in American politics stems right back to their cousins across the water - so, you see, it is not really the fault of America...it is more to do with genetics.
I love your quote of the declaration of independence. Sometimes when I see a flag blowing in the breeze, it takes my breath away thinking of how many Americans have fought for the freedom we enjoy today. Yet when I saw it over Saddam's face, I felt ashamed at the symbol of conquering that it brought to mind.
I think, "How blessed I am to have been born in the USA."
I've done quite a bit of travelling. As a career Navy man and, more recently, short-term missionary, I've seen how prosperous, free, and blessed we are.
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