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March 16, 2005
Observations from within
This visit to the US has been very useful, not least because I have had the pleasure of making new friends and gaining new knowledge, sharpening some old knowledge, and generally getting a better knowledge of the US and her people. One thing they have which we in Europe have lost, and which lies, I suspect, at the core of the liberal left hatred of America and her institutions and values, is their sense of pride in being who they are. That is very apparent as you drive around and see the national flag displayed on almost every house, on public buildings alongside municipal or State flags, and even where corporate flags are flown.
They certainly aren't all Christian fundamentalists, they certainly aren't all George W Bush supporters, but they are American, and they are proud of it. And they have reason to be, as well; despite having their own difficulties, they are warm hearted, generous to a fault, and extremely hard working. It is often said that the UK works longer and harder than anyone else in Europe, something open to challenge perhaps, but even we do not work the sort of hours that the average American is prepared to throw into his or her job. They believe in earning everything they have from respect through to property. It has been my privilege to meet people from all ends of the spectrum on this visit, and they are all super people.
Naturally I am biased in one sense; their fire fighters are among the most welcoming I have ever encountered and take real pride in what they do. I may not agree with everything they do, but I can say that I like the enthusiasm and the energy they bring to it. No wonder that they are regarded by their communities with such respect.
It has been a great privilege to be here, to share in this experience. I hope I shall have further opportunities to do this again. Face it, the Americans take a lot of flak for many things, but if the average UK citizen were as proud of his country as these folk are of theirs, a lot of the left-wing garbage would not be tolerated at all. Perhaps we should stop carping and find out how to recapture this spirit ourselves!
Posted by The Gray Monk at March 16, 2005 10:58 AM
Comments
That was lovely. Who are these Americans? ;-)
Did you stay only in Kentucky, or were you in other parts of the U.S. also?
Posted by: Cindy at March 16, 2005 02:37 PM
Must have been to Virginia's Blue Ridge country for sure!
Posted by: Stuart at March 16, 2005 06:46 PM
Just west of, over the back side of the Appalachians !!
The Monk has now seen and taken part in the REAL America, not those EastCoast-LeftCoast segments that epitomise the MSM's dire picture of the USA.
Glad you liked it, Monk !!
Posted by: MommaBear at March 16, 2005 10:58 PM
Only Eastern Kentucky and the Appalchians with a bit of Northern Tennessee. But it has been fun, interesting and worth every minute. This is indeed where the real people are, out here in the heartlands. Hopefully my next trip will take in a wider spectrum.
Posted by: The Gray Monk at March 18, 2005 12:27 AM
Next time see if you can make it out to San Francisco, I'll take you around.
Posted by: skipjack at March 19, 2005 01:32 PM