:| Where's that Canadian flag button when you need it?
Two or so years ago on a message board I saw a girl state that her brother was traveling through Europe that summer, and to safe guard himself he put a Canadian flag pin on his backpack. I couldn't imagine why anyone would want to do this. I asked her why he was doing this, and she said "People hate Americans." No shit.
Now, I've traveled around the world, a few times, and I've been met with the anti-American vibe a lot. I mostly ignored it or made a remark about how people flock to live here, etc etc. Which is why I couldn't understand why this chick's brother was going to such an extreme.
I've always been very proud of my American birth right, our red and white stripes, the blue field of white stars, and even apple pie (as long as I don't have to eat it). Sure we have tons of problems, but we're the US! Mighty, strong, fair (ha!), and free.
In fact, I've never been ashamed to be an American. Even when our president was on international live TV telling the world he was going to try to force hate into our Constitution by "protecting marriage." Or even feeling most of the time like a second class citizen because I'm a homosexual. Through all that I held my passport in high regard and respect when I was abroad. It's really your only mark of who you are in the checkpoints. It always sent a message of I'm an American watch out.
That, of course, was until this prisoner abuse issue came out.
I'm completely disheartened by it. I've had many fights with close friends and relatives about this war, most of them centering around the military forces. I tell them "but the soldiers are the ones who pay with blood, you can't fault them, it's their job. They have families that have to eat." However, now I look at people in military uniforms with a general level of disgust.
They, not all of course, are yet another part of what's wrong with the US. I never was able to understand the image of the ugly hateful American before this. I've had this talk with Chinese folks, French, Italian, Brazilian, Turkish, almost every country I've been too. Sadly, now I see it in blazing color.
I was approached a couple of days ago to take a trip to India, for relatively free. For the first time in my travel life I turned it down for fear of what might happen after I get off that plane. These asshole Republicans have ruined so much for us. It's really time we take back some sanity. Even if Kerry looks like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz we so need him in office.
And with that I'm off to finish up my first semester of grad school. Big presentation today. It's 80% of my grade in this class. Blah. I'm taking off until next Winter/Spring term.
My mother is going to have major surgery on 5/25. After that I should be around more. I sorta fell off the radar for many different personal reasons. I'll be around more once my mother is feeling better. She's been like having a child due to her being sick. I think I'm over my "I want a kid" phase. heh
Now, I've traveled around the world, a few times, and I've been met with the anti-American vibe a lot. I mostly ignored it or made a remark about how people flock to live here, etc etc. Which is why I couldn't understand why this chick's brother was going to such an extreme.
I've always been very proud of my American birth right, our red and white stripes, the blue field of white stars, and even apple pie (as long as I don't have to eat it). Sure we have tons of problems, but we're the US! Mighty, strong, fair (ha!), and free.
In fact, I've never been ashamed to be an American. Even when our president was on international live TV telling the world he was going to try to force hate into our Constitution by "protecting marriage." Or even feeling most of the time like a second class citizen because I'm a homosexual. Through all that I held my passport in high regard and respect when I was abroad. It's really your only mark of who you are in the checkpoints. It always sent a message of I'm an American watch out.
That, of course, was until this prisoner abuse issue came out.
I'm completely disheartened by it. I've had many fights with close friends and relatives about this war, most of them centering around the military forces. I tell them "but the soldiers are the ones who pay with blood, you can't fault them, it's their job. They have families that have to eat." However, now I look at people in military uniforms with a general level of disgust.
They, not all of course, are yet another part of what's wrong with the US. I never was able to understand the image of the ugly hateful American before this. I've had this talk with Chinese folks, French, Italian, Brazilian, Turkish, almost every country I've been too. Sadly, now I see it in blazing color.
I was approached a couple of days ago to take a trip to India, for relatively free. For the first time in my travel life I turned it down for fear of what might happen after I get off that plane. These asshole Republicans have ruined so much for us. It's really time we take back some sanity. Even if Kerry looks like the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz we so need him in office.
And with that I'm off to finish up my first semester of grad school. Big presentation today. It's 80% of my grade in this class. Blah. I'm taking off until next Winter/Spring term.
My mother is going to have major surgery on 5/25. After that I should be around more. I sorta fell off the radar for many different personal reasons. I'll be around more once my mother is feeling better. She's been like having a child due to her being sick. I think I'm over my "I want a kid" phase. heh