Can you take a moment to appreciate America?

Question

This is a speech given by a prominent Canadian journalist in 1973, during the Vietnam war, at a similar time when Americans were being put down. I feel it is as valid today as it was when first written.

So before you write your response, take a second and give this a read, or better yet, listen to it - http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/gordonsinclair.htm .

It's the Americans who lead this world - and thank whichever God you pray to for that. No matter what disarray you may perceive in the world today, it is nothing compared to what it would be if America were not involved.

As a Canadian, I consider myself privileged to be in partnership with the US.

Here's my statement of appreciation:
God bless America !!!

Answer 1

Thank you for your post - it is amazing to see how little in many ways things have really changed regarding the United States, its role in the world, and sadly the myopic view of many who think things and world opinion has really gotten worse against us. I have read so many unhappy people about this country that posted in response to your post you have to wonder what it is they need. Some of them are American who's words betray them as self-hating fools. This country is really fighting the good fight today as it was in the past. Sadly that is not going to make you popular with most of the world - but people acted that way back in the 1970's as they do now too.

The more things change the more things stay the same - thank you again for your posting of that link.

Answer 2

The world forgets yesterday very easily. They also forget how many times our young men have given their lives when called upon to preserve nations over run by tyranny. There has not been a foreign Army on American soil in almost 200 years. Yet our Armed forces have perished coming to the aid of others.And if tomorrow brings another conflict the world will again look to America's youth to offer up their lives in defense of the ideals we hold dear. We don't require gratitude. just a little less ridicule. We are far from perfect, but as a nation we are proud and shall always be so, for whatever wrongs we may have committed, we will always be the one nation in the world who tries to do what it believes is right.

Answer 3

People are confusing bashing American Government officials with bashing America itself. Look, that's one of the great things about democracy, you get to question your government. I know that the Unfair and Totally Biased Conservative Spin Channel, Fox News, tells you that any critisizing of the American Government is an attack on the country herself...but it's not. In fact, you're doing exactly what it means to be an American.

That said, that was 1973 and people feel very different now. We need to work on creating and improving foreign relations, because America wont always be number one. In fact, in every way that counts (education, economy, diversity), we are not number one anymore. It's kind of a mystery to me, after viewing statistics, how so many can still think we're the 'greatest nation.' We should be and can be, but first we've got to improve relations. Do you really want to be here 40 years down the line when, if something goes completely down the tube like our economy, no other country wants to help us?

Answer 4

First, there have been comments that the Bush administration had such an antagonistic place against the Clinton administration that it omitted different protection information that it substitute into presented by applying it. 2nd, the Bush administration in many cases omitted a number of the greater sane perspectives in its own administration and ostracized those perspectives, quite Colin Powell. third, we've sacrificed a lot of our freedoms and that i sometimes ask your self whether i substitute into even born interior the country; I in no way had to coach my citizenship plenty to get a element-time interest as I surely have those days. I additionally do in contrast to different persons dropping rights; our government began applying the comparable techniques because of the fact the terrorists. the government probable continually did, yet no longer so overtly. yet then the terrorists opened Pandora's field much greater. I in basic terms have not got self belief the Bush administration substitute into very considerate. I see greater suitable wish interior the Obama administration. i might prefer to confirm greater rationality and adulthood in my government than I surely have considered in greater or less the previous thirty years. possibly the George H. Bush's administration substitute into the only lull and Clinton's purely exhibited own peccadilloes. i presumed Reagan's substitute into disastrous in lots of techniques, and that i will not be able to have self belief human beings can not see it.

Answer 5

While you taking time out to appreciate America
im taking time out too appreciate GOD
And all my ancestors who shed blood building this place
Just as all .You Honor man and his boundaries
i don't think God differentiates i think he see the world not America
or Canada for that much....

On what ground will God Bless america one of thee most ungodly places on earth..when you have suffered no oppression in life your easily brain washed such as yourself
see if when you meet your maker you will get a free pass just because your canadian and a US supporter

ive served with Soldiers who died for you to wave the flag and tell lies

Answer 6

Beautifully put, and I do appreciate America every day when I wake up and there are no bombs going off in my neighborhood, I can worship whatever god I see fit in whatever way I see fit, and I can live in peace knowing that my daughter will not be sold as a bride or simply killed off for being a female as is done in many parts of the world, including India.

Answer 7

I consider the United States as my 2nd home....I've been there for years...leave and work and i have many experienced that helps a lot on myself. Right now my dear mother and elder sister stay in California for many years now.....We must Pray deeper that we live in this world safely. So i can say God Bless America and the World.

Answer 8

I think its important to hear things like that, if Americans could try reconnecting with the rest of the world on a more human aspect, rather than an elitist attitude it would help. I do appreciate what I have, but I'm not going to be stubborn and deny that America makes mistakes on a large level.

Answer 9

I'm British. Yeah, I like America - there are plenty of great things about it and there are some wonderful people there.

I also pity you - people around the world hate you because of your government - and that is WRONG.

But I don't think America leads the world.

God Bless America....and Britain.....and Canada....and France....and Israel.....and Lebanon.....and Iraq....and China.....and North Korea.....and Mexico....and al the others

Answer 10

I agree that the Americans have helped many societies throughout history. However, today, the American government is wanting to impliment their own strategies in these countries that they are helping. There is nothing wrong with helping someone out of the kindness of your heart. It is when you expect something in return that that help turns into only doing a favor for a price. America has lost that giving nature of merely giving for givings sake.