Michelle Obama had her very own “I could have stayed home and baked cookies” moment yesterday, which has ignited all kinds of “UN-AMERICAN!!!” accusations and initiated a snotty remark from Cindy McCain, who wants America to know she’s waaaay more patriotic than Mrs. Obama.
The offending remark was this:
“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country . . . because I think people are hungry for change.”
Then Cindy McCain remarked:
“I am proud of my country. I don’t know about you. If you heard those words earlier — I am very proud of my country.”
I suppose it’s the difference between being a critical citizen and being a blindly loyal elementary school student reciting the Pledge.
[nms:michelle obama,1,0]
Being patriotic doesn’t mean loving everything the country does. Sometimes it’s far more patriotic to be a voice of dissent and express dissatisfaction with the status quo than it is to smile daftly and support everything the country does no matter how heinous.
It’s our patriotic duty to question the government, to demand that our representatives do better, and sometimes, to shake our heads and utter, “This is just embarrassing. . . ”
I’m in agreement with Michelle Obama. After however many cycles of low voter turn out, voters are coming out in record numbers to vote in primaries and to caucus. Whether they’re voting for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, voters are making very clear that they’re tired of the status quo, tired of the stranglehold that an elite minority have held over us – and don’t even try to hide anymore – for so long.
[nms:hillary clinton,1,0]
That is something to be proud of. Demanding change is something to be proud of. Demanding that our country find its integrity again is something to be proud of.
Michelle Obama, the Geek Survey salutes you.
Score
Critical Thinking: 1 Geeks: 0
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Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 and she still doesn't have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram. 
