Red, White, and Blue

For the record.....
I do cheer for the USA in the Olympics, the World Cup, Davis Cup, Ryder Cup, U.S. Opens in all sports, and Indy 500. 
Apple pie (with ice cream) and hot dogs (with chili/cheese) are good eatin'.

Baseball really is my favorite sport.

And Chevrolet is the only way to go when it comes to trucks.

I am proud to be an American.  Just like Lee Greenwood.

     In the past decade, however, some Americans have had their loyalties  questioned because of what was perceived to be a dictionary-only definition of the word "patriotism."  Being true to this country for some people means that religion, flag-waving, and choice of political party are the only characteristics of a bonafide red, white, and blue American.

     The talking heads in the media debate this issue all day long, and along with their advertisers, cash in on what is and what is not patriotic.  It just seems that many of their attempts to influence the public are often politically, not educationally, motivated. 

     Consider these underrated characteristics of patriotism:

1.   voting--the voice we have to participate in our republic

2.   being thankful--the  spirit of gratitude for the incredible volume of blessings we have in this country

3.   tending to one's business--working, staying productive, focusing on matters that matter

4.   dreaming--calling on an embedded  pioneer legacy, realizing that anything is possible in this country

5.  learning--opening our minds to the basics and then building on that foundation in order to better understand ourselves and the world we live in

6.   listening-- paying attention not to just what we want to hear but to all sides in order to train our minds to discern good from evil, farce from fact, and folly from wisdom

7.   being honest--having the integrity to live and speak truthfully

8.  taking care of each other--reading a non-American's biography this summer has had an impact:  Mother Teresa had the right idea 

9.   abiding by the law and following the rules--honoring the simplest ones to the "big" ones

10. celebrating faith--holding on to the Creator's spirit, not religion, is key to true enlightenment   

         Last and most important, exercising courage  honors the patriotism of the Second Continental Congress.  What a gutsy move those men made in 1776 after enduring a hot, hot summer coming to grips with the magnitude of their decisions.
         Even though the United States's history is checkered with plenty of regrettable moments, courage  overcame discord when 56 men argued and fought (with each other) all the while embracing the patriotic characteristics listed above.
           Doing so brought them to the "truths that are self-evident."
           Patriotism's debut in a newborn country.