slightly off-topic, but speaking of proper handling of the American flag, did anyone catch GWB whacking his mini-flag against his knee during the opening ceremonies? what a jackass.

The landing on the moon stands out. It's hard for me to think of anything else at that level.

I WOULD have felt very patriotic if our country had been a leader in womens suffrage, or ending slavery, or the Kyoto treaties, or reducing infant mortality. Instead, our achievements seem to usually revolve around war and manifest destiny.

I'll feel better later. That idiot Bush makes me embarrassed to be American. What is that called?

I feel a bit like Jerry, so much of what used to make me proud has been so twisted.

The flag, veterans being honored, a home grown tomato, travel, our generous nature to help others in a time of need.

It's still moving to me in some circumstances, but overall not at the same intensity or with out some trepidation that it could be misconstrude as patriarchy or nationalism run amouk.

Love John Lewis though, that's the genuine thing.

So, I just came across this:
There is something called the "US-Azebaijan Chamber of Commerce". OK, sounds allright. Develop business in Azerbaijan, which is right next to Georgia, by the way. One would expect to see a bunch of big shot corporate executives involved, right? Hmmm. There are some, but otherwise, it looks like the new home of Neocons r Us.
http://tinyurl.com/6a2u9d

Here'a cool little map of the area too:
http://tinyurl.com/5gxb33

Makes me feel all patriotic that we're helping out over there.

Sorry to continue on the
"off-topicness," but I poked around the site JerryT posted for a minute. On their list of accomplishments is the promotion of two energy pipelines. One of which travels through Tiblisi, Georgia.

I was listening to NPR today for part of "Talk of the Nation." They were discussing the rationale for the Georgian-Russian conflict beyond the South Osettia issue, one of which being the strategic desires of Russia to keep control of the energy transmission to Europe. I knew we were likely an ally of Georgia for energy purposes, but it's interesting to see our leaders "formerly" involved in a CoC that actively helped lobby for oil and natural gas pipelines through Georgia and Azerbaijan.

that pipeline is 1% of the world's oil. FYI.

I love our flag. By far, the greatest in the world.

Two things though. Does anyone else find it as appalling as I do that an American finished SIXTH (worst of all finalists) in the men's double trap? I mean we love our guns (especially our shotguns) and we lost to an Italian fellow who not only *CRIED* after winning, he CRIED LIKE A GIRL.

Not American but, someone dare try and say that Lin Dan is not a beast. Dude will f*ck you up on the badminton court

"Does anyone else find it as appalling as I do that an American finished SIXTH (worst of all finalists) in the men's double trap?"

Quick, someone tell the NRA! A lawsuit will be filed to overturn this travesty.

Anytime I see American high technology or us embody the Enlightenment values upon which we were founded.

See Nuremberg, moon landings, making Airbus look like the suckers they are, etc. etc.

The whole pipeline thing in Georgia has helped me finally make sense of Syriana.

Heh heh. The Robert Livingston on that Azebaijan CoC is that guy who was Speaker of the House for about an hour before quitting Congress entirely, presumably because Larry Flynt had some poo ready to pitch into the nearest fan concerning his family values.

I don't want to hijack this thread. Anyone want to move Georgia/Russia conversation to a new thread?

As far as patriotism, I feel pride in this country when I hear about the work the Peace Corps does in the world; when I hear about us actually helping spread medicine and knowledge to prevent disease in nations less able (as opposed to spreading ideology such as abstinence); when we use our ingenuity and work ethic to stay on top of technology and innovation. There's a few.

Actually if I could be serious for a minute...No other country grants as many rights to its citizens as America does. No other country allows its citizens to be as free as we are. And no other country (is supposed) to embody and spread the ideals of democracy and freedom, and be an upstanding pillar of decency in the world.

If that doesn't make you proud to be an American I don't know what will.

BTW: I hope everyone knows i was kidding about the double trap loss. An American also won. But still, there is no crying in Olympic double trap shotgun shooting competiton!

The fact that a better relationship with China can come through basketball gives me hope as well as pride in our country. That David Stern can do more for our relationship with the largest country in the world than our President seems to have done.

Wow. Michael Phelps. Wow. As the ad says, "we're going to need some new adjectives".