Rock, Flag, and Eagle.

Warning: This is one of my rants...and I'm working solely from my opinion.

I've been trying to download youtube videos this morning. And because I'm grossly un-intelligent, it hasn't worked. Not once. But I've been thinking about what "America means to me", lately. I'm pretty sure it's just all the election crap, and so on and so forth....I've already told you how I feel about that. And I really think that Charlie's "America Song" from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, about sums it up. (I recommend you go to youtube and watch it, if it's not something you've seen. It's not too long by any means, and it was all improv, so even that much more impressive). Not that I don't appreciate my freedoms, my opportunities, my chances that I have as a member of this great country. I just get tired of the those people that that TELL me I have to appreciate it, love it, wear it on my shirt, etc. You know? I feel like I can be grateful for all the stuff I'm grateful for, and not have to advertise it each and everyday.
This does not mean that I'm out there, burning flags, spitting on American soldiers, or people that have come to this country for a better life, or trying to invest money to buy my own compound one day--one where I make my OWN laws and such. I mean, I'm not adverse to everything, I'm just not on the bandwagon, either.
Also, and here's where I get on my soapbox, I feel like most that are "Highly Patriotic" are usually also highly trashy. Eww...I'm gonna feel a blast of heat on that one, aren't I? But I do. I often think back to the movie, Borat. The Rodeo part. Does anyone remember that scene? I still think about how sick I felt in my stomach to see an angry mob form so quickly...with nothing more to egg them on than someone spouting nonsense. And really all he had to do to get everyone worked up was starting out with some rendition of : "God Bless the USA." Or how about the forwarded emails that I always get from questionable acquaintances? Some of them are downright terrible...racist and supremest and completely questionable, yet you put some sparkly red white and blue in the background, tell people they'll be poor if they don't send it to ten others, and you're bound to see it at least twice. (Let me just say that although some of you that read this blog have sent forwards, I'm not talking about any of you).
I do want to say that I have my brother-in-law, and he's very patriotic...but not in the previously described way. In the way that I wish most were...willing to look up facts, and read about policies, and honestly find the true details of "what's up". (Another aspect of his enjoyment of Law). Personally, I'm not that invested, so I guess I can be filed under the crappy American category. But I'm okay here. Just know that I am grateful for the advantages that I have, and that my children have. I feel like it's not a perfect system by any means, but when I look at what others deal with, I know that I am truly lucky and privileged. And I have tons of chances and possibilities, and that, in itself, is enough for me to have gratitude towards people that really do take matters into their hands for the bettering of our lives. So there. That's my take on it. It's wishy-washy, yeah....but I think there's too much corruption one way or the other to fully convert myself. Anyhoo, let me know what you think. And if it differs from me, that's more than okay. You never bring Religion or Politics to the table, as they say, and I went there, so I expect some drastic differences.