“My country, right or wrong.”  While most people are ignorant to the phrases’ true origin, It does have a specific meaning to me.  And with the disappointment of last night, I felt it time to revisit that meaning.

“My country” This is my country.  Period.  I was born here, and likely will die here.  Likewise Ohio is my state.  Again, born here and, barring needs beyond my control, I’ve no plans to leave.  Texas may be more my beliefs, but it’s too hot.  As Phil Sheridan once said, “If I owned Texas and Hell, I’d live in Hell and rent out Texas.”

“Right” We are not perfect, but we’re a hell of a lot better than countries out there.  Even in a recession we sent thousands of people and millions (if not billions) of dollars to help the people of Haiti.  While our cousins across the pond ended slavery before we did, both the UK and the US actively worked to end the institution around the world.  If not for us, the Marsh Arabs would have been completely wiped out, and the land would not be recovering.  These are just minor examples.  It doesn’t include the advances in technology, medicine, science and every other field advanced in America.  Am I proud of my country, my countrymen? Hells yes.

“or Wrong.” We are not perfect.  From the betrayal of the Cherokee to the infamous Tuskegee experiment, from Executive Order 9066 to our failure to support the 2011 Iranian protests, we’ve made mistakes, sometimes with horrible consequences.

The point is, America is my country.  I will cheer when we do something right, (depose Saddam Hussein, Kill OBL, help Haiti rebuild) and condemn them when we do something wrong, (Support the Muslim Brotherhood, abandon our pledges to our allies, turn a blind eye to our enemies, reelect Obama, etc.) I will be vocal, I will be blunt, and I will not be silent.  Not now, not ever.  We do have the greatest government system in the world (when it is followed) and when it maximizes freedom.

To quote the greatest superhero ever:

“Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world — "No, you move."”

So, those of you who disagree.  "You move."