This Post Is Probably Going To Get Me Into Trouble

So one of my favorite shows currently on television is "Real Time with Bill Mahr." I'm a pretty much an uber lefty democrat so there's not really much of a surprise there and I'm currently sitting at my desk at work (on lunch - i just wanted to point that out) and I'm watching the episode of Real Time from a couple of weeks ago hot off the heels of Michelle Obama's comments on being proud of America. First of all I just wanted to say, for the record that I think that the flack that she's gotten for this statement is just so unbelievable because the only thing that anyone can read into it was that she was unpatriotic. I also want to go on the record as saying that sometimes I am not proud to be an American. That statement may get me into a lot of trouble but I don't really care. I hate that patriotism doesn't mean what it should anymore. That if you don't support the president and every decision that he's made you're not patriotic. Well, if you take a look at where America was 7 years ago and you take a look at where we are now and you can honestly tell me that you think we're doing better, than you are highly delusional. I am NOT proud of the war in Iraq. I am NOT proud of the way this nation looks at the entire Muslim religion just because of the way some crazy extremists acted 7 years ago. I am NOT ALWAYS PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. But I love my country. And I love the freedom that I have because I live here. And I love that there are millions of people ready to fight for that freedom in my honor. I am patriotic. I love to see the American Flag. I have, at times, been known to tear up at "God Bless America." I do LOVE my country. But that doesn't always mean that I agree with all of the decisions that "the country" makes, which also doesn't mean that I am always going to be proud of those decisions. We have a pretty ugly past, and I hate how we're all so quick to forget that while it is wonderful to live here, sometimes we have done things that are not really actions to be proud of. I hope that instead of berating her, more people would have applauded Michelle Obama for her comments on finally being proud to be an American. At least she was being honest and really... what more can you ask for in the world today?