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Originally Posted by TubaMorg
OK, now for my 2 cents. I've been debating with myself about posting because I don't generally enjoy political discussions, because whether anyone likes it or not that's what this is.
It has become a disturbing (to me) trend over the years for Americans to feel guilty about being American. This guilt manifests itself in several different ways as in cringing when a political leader touts America's greatness in public. Is it in bad taste? I don't think so, even if it takes place at an international competition. This is an American speaking proudly of America's greatness on American soil. I would expect no less. Everyone should be proud of their nationality and what they bring to the world stage. I have been to several countries where they not only brag about themselves, but also denigrate America. That is the international community's favorite past time. Why? Because we are the greatest country (by any number of methods of keeping score) the face of the earth has ever seen. There are plenty of people out there that hate us for our greatness without us feeling contrite about it. The argument that we are disliked because of our "arrogance" is invalid. If we were a third-world country any display of arrogance would be of little consequence to other countries. There is nothing wrong with being great and being proud of it. There should NEVER be anything wrong with it. When American citizens begin to feel guilty about being Americans, there begins the erosion of our greatness.
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I agree with you that he has the right to be proud of his country; I am too. But he needs to realize that he is speaking to not just Americans, but to people from around the world. At the very least, he could have acknowledged the fact that FIRST is an international competition and there were teams present from around the world. I guess he didn't notice all those flags of other countries hanging right above him. There is a difference between pride and arrogance. It's no wonder so much of the world hates America. There was a time when people around the world dreamed of a better life in America; now in a lot of the world people burn American flags in the streets.
My team was sitting right behind a team from Israel when the secretary was speaking. I could tell they did not enjoy listening to the secretary. I hope, in the future, the speakers are properly informed that there are teams form other countries present.