Oneironaut, I'm not going to waste your time quoting bits and snippets of what you've said in earlier postings, but I still regard you as harboring some fairly strong anti-American sentiments, even if you disagree with how I view what you said about opposing the United States, feeling like the flag is nothing more than meaningless fabric, etc. You know as well as anyone that you can feel however you want to feel, pro- or anti-anything. That's one of the marvelous freedoms that we enjoy.

I certainly don't like a lot of what's going on in our country. I hate this war. I distrust our leaders, although I don't wish for anyone's assassination. I oppose the growing divide between the rich and poor, and I'm deeply fearful for our environment. It's been my experience that most of those who wholeheartedly support our international policies and our current government aren't well-read, well-traveled or well-educated. (Around here, it's also been my experience that some of the most crazed opponents of our government, the conspiracists, sadly lack the same exposure.)

I'm fully aware that we're now an interdepenent global community and economy, that to succeed as a planet we must all succeed. But I still have pride in my nation of origin. A lot of this may be because I'm a female, and some of what I feel may be generational, too. I'm proud to have been born into a democracy and in a country where I've had opportunities, education, freedomes and equal treatment that I wouldn't have received elsewhere. I wouldn't have been able to have been a Fulbright scholar if I'd lived someplace else, for instance. And if I hadn't been lucky enough to live in this well-developed country with its advanced medical capabilities, I wouldn't even be alive today. I've been lucky enough to have traveled to 22 other countries so far in my lifetime, and that exposure has helped affirm this pride. I can't completely explain my feelings, and I'm fairly certain nothing I say will justify them in your eyes anyway, but I feel the pride nonetheless.
birdgirl73 Reviewed by birdgirl73 on . Anti American I consider myself a lot of things and I am often accused of being many more, it's all good since I consider myself most of all to be thick skinned and I really don't give a damn what others think of me but I am a cat and therefore curious. 3 Questions : What is anti-American ? If I dislike American politics does that make me AA* even though I love certain things about and from America (Arlen Ness Harleys, Alice Cooper) ? Do you believe me to be AA*? Rating: 5