The inevitable 9/11 entry.
Today I drove by 'the assembly to remember 9/11' that was going on downtown, and I'd say about a good 90% of the people there were showing some type of patriotic spirit, whether it being their clothing, the american flags they were waving, or the candle that was burning in their hand.
Do you want to know what I was feeling as I sat at that stoplight, patiently waiting for it to turn green? disgust. now I in no way support terrorism or in any way am against patriotism.. I think infact you should love your country, and you should convey your emotions, but you shouldn't just be showing your patronage for this country unless you're going to be standing up for it year-round.
So that, my friends.. is what causes my disgust. this bandwagon patriotism is appaling. does anyone remember how all the american flags started appearing everywhere after 9/11? they could be seen on peoples shirts, stuck in their front-lawns, they were hanging off the windows of vehicles, hell, they were even painted on houses (yes.. I've actually seen three different houses with an american flag painted on them).
Than, as I had predicted, about two weeks after all those lives were lost, after our safety was 'threatened', after all of that horrendous television coverage of a plane flying into a skyscraper... america started disposing of their beloved patriotic propaganda, because it was no longer "in" to show love for your country. it was no longer "cool" to wear our american flag on your shirt, or fly that flag from your cars-window. it all went away. now.. it has returned. is this what will happen everytime 9/11 rolls around? probably.
I can't say I'm astonished, or even the least bit surprised. after all.. I watched this very same scene two years ago. I watched everyone have the same reaction, and I watched it fade away. what can I do? nothing but remember, and show some respect for every life lost on the date of September 11th, 2001.
America, you are full of bullshit. but I still love ya.
P.S. if you want a good 9/11 entry, read Guav's.