A friend of mine recently sent me a link to a You Tube video (attached) and said it would be a good source for a blog. Apparently, she wanted to hear what I had to say about it. Well, I've watched it a couple times now, and I figured that on Memorial Day, it would be a great time to respond. So Angela, here is my take on the video.The most honest 3 1/2 minutes on television
In MyAmerica, we embrace American Exceptionalism and we celebrate it with passion and pride. America is not the greatest country in the history of the world because of "diversity"...although it is certainly an element of its greatness. America is not the greatest country in the history of mankind because it offers freedom to its citizens...although that is certainly an element of its greatness as well. So to this point in the video, I agree and disagree with the main protagonist. But, as you can well imagine, it's at this point of the video that I take great exception to this yahoo.
You see, in MyAmerica, global statistics and rankings don't mean squat. They really have very little to do with WHY we are the greatest country on Earth. Certainly, a lot of people would like to make it that way, but in MyAmerica, it seems doing so belittles our greatness. It's not about HOW we rack and stack in this category or that, in this metric or that measure...leave that to those who don't believe in American Exceptionalism. They are more concerned about why we aren't great than why we are, so they'll use the "how" argument to divide us.
In MyAmerica, America's greatness is in her simplicity, and in her pedigree.
American Exceptionalism is really pretty simple, but certainly has never been easy. The desire for a new life, a new way of life, a new way to live a life. A document, the constitution, that has endured through many trials and attacks, and yet, still shines as a beacon of hope, freedom, liberty, and unity. A flag, red, white and blue, recognizable world over, feared, revered, and respected. Simple really, and yet, you watch the news on any given day, and there are constant attacks--even from within--this greatest of countries from those who seek to destroy, defame, and defile the way of life, the document, and the flag. Unbelievable!
However, in MyAmerica, the greatest aspect of American Exceptionalism may just be her pedigree. Beginning with those who sought a new way of life, who braved uncertainty and the unknown to found a country. To the early Patriots who risked their lives for this new world. Their unconditional passion for liberty, their sage understanding and vision while drafting the founding documents, their undying love of country over self, all led to the underpinnings of a culture of Exceptionalism. All the way to the greatest generation--those who fought and died to preserve and protect the rule of law, humanity, and nature, to include the families who stayed at home and supported the war effort, at great sacrifice and often with great loss. We learned much from this generation, and we owe them a debt of immeasurable gratitude. They were ordinary Americans who did extraordinary things.
But in MyAmerica, there is more...much more to American Exceptionalism. It's about individuals volunteering, giving their time and resources for the benefit of others. It's about faith and the belief that we are truly "one nation, under God". It's about the intangibles of patriotism and respect, integrity and honor. And it's about the hope that comes from living in a country with boundless opportunity. Call me a glass half full kinda Guy, but it's true.
So certainly I paint this Polly Anna picture of Normal Rockwell proportion. We all know there are problems, differences of opinions on the substance of issues, and genuine debate on how to tackle tough complex problems. But in the final analysis, why is it that more people than not want to come here, to America, to live? To work? To raise their families? Why isn't there a huge immigration problem in Switzerland? Or Canada? Or Mexico? Or China? It's because, we are the most exceptional nation on earth. It's because we stand for something and we try to back that up. It's because in MyAmerica, we hope in a better future, have faith in a merciful God, give gratitude for Hero's before us, and give generously to those who have less. It ain't the government people come to America for, it's for her simplicity, her pedigree, and yes, her opportunity.
I went to a Memorial Day ceremony today in Omaha and as we were walking back to our car, we found ourselves behind an Asian family speaking in their native language...almost sounded like Vietnamese. I thought, what are these people doing at a Memorial Day ceremony for American soldiers lost in battle, honoring their memory and their sacrifice? And it dawned on me that it is precisely because of people like them that we are an exceptional country. It's because we are America and Americans...land of the free, and home of the brave. God Bless her.
Because its MyAmerica2
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