In 1991 America was in the Persian Gulf. We were there, ostensibly, for Kuwait. Remember that? I was young and naive I guess, but when President Bush said, "This aggression will not stand," it sent chills down my spine. I was so proud of America. I remember seeing cars pull off the side of the road and turn on their lights when the radio would play the national anthem.
I stumbled across the video of Whitney Houston singing the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV from that year and remember how it became a chart-topping hit. I still think it is one of the most beautiful and moving renditions I've ever heard of our national anthem.
Then it struck me. Whitney Houston's descent into an abusive marriage and drug abuse is a metaphor for America. She became a punch line, much like our own country had. We pitied her and pray for her comeback...much like we do for America.
I want to see our country strong again, economically, militarily, on both domestic and foreign fronts. I want to be proud of how the greatest country in the world takes the center stage again and shakes off the abusive relationship and years of bad decisions and unstable behavior and lifts up her chin and belts out the most emotional and prideful "Oh Say Can You See," that the world has ever heard.
I have faith that we'll make it, Whitney? I'm not so confident about, but I'll keep hoping.
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What, no comments re:Patriotism so far. I guess Patriotism is a lost attribute in our society. The Patriot Act, which I support by the way, has done much to malign a significant portion of our citizenry. To announce oneself as a Patriot these days is to open oneself up for ridicule and scorn, if not open hostility. Patriotism has, unfortunately, become one of many acrimonious partisan issues.
I share your hope, but I lack your faith that the spirit will be rekindled in the near future, as long as we have a system in which professional politicians (as opposed to statesmen [or women]) are in charge. A system in which the leader of the United States is pretty much decided by a minority of our citizens, many of which are active politicos or well-heeled contributors.
"Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio?...etc., etc." Sorry to say this, I have voted in every election held in my adult life, but I don't have a dog in this hunt.
And, to think we are only one generation removed from "The Greatest Generation" who knew sacrifice for country and lived Patriotism.