I agree, I am specifically talking about the country and some of the people in it. Unfortunately, unlike being proud of my children even though I don't always feel good about decisions they have made, the decisions that they make will not affect millions of people and the attitude toward us for years to come. This is a much bigger thing.
I now am proud of my time in the service, but, until recently I never told anyone about it because Vietnam was not exactly a loved conflict. I was blamed along with my fellow servicemen for the decisions made in that miserable country as if any of us had a say in it. Recently (within the last 10 years) I have been able to feel the I did my part for the country, the same country that didn't seem to care if we died or not because of some vague reason. However, when I saw that it seemed to be a catalyst in us improving things like civil rights, human rights, acceptance of people that were different then us, I was proud and willing to overlook some of the mistakes made by our leaders. Now in such a short time, it seems like we have gone so many steps backward due to self centered leadership that I know I will not live long enough for all the damage to be repaired.
We no longer have the right to stand in judgement or to point out the faults of other nations because we are now the people that the world is looking down at. We have allowed ourselves to become the laughing stock of the world. There is no end to the anger that causes me.
Well, I am proud of the fact that we have come far enough that we no longer blame the military for wars they fought in...you didn't start the war, you didn't CHOOSE the war, you did your job. And I'm glad that we, for the most part, seem to have learned from Vietnam, that we should be grateful there are men and women willing to defend and protect, even if we don't agree with the reasons behind the need for it. I'm sorry for what the Vietnam vets in particular endured and how you all were treated. That's not something to be proud of....but moving past it and learning from it are.
But the regression bothers me....where we made progress before, and learned from our mistakes, and now we're going backwards and repeating some of those same mistakes. Like we've learned nothing from the past. And when I say I'm ashamed to admit I'm American, there's a certain look people give you when they hear your accent and they ask you where you're from, and you say "The United States." And to an extent, I worry for my safety because of it....like when I get an email saying to stay away from this area, because anti-American sentiment is strong and there will be a gathering of people who will be protesting this or that. Sometimes I wonder, what if I tell the wrong person I'm American and they target me because of it? For the most part, people are just curious, and 99.999999% of the people I meet aren't going to do anything to me, or wish me any ill will, but you never know what kind of social mask they may be wearing that they appear to be friendly, and then turn around and you have a target on your back. Back several months ago, there were I think 7 men arrested for planning a terrorist attack, and one of the men lived around the corner from my BIL. A couple of days before the arrests, it was "National Neighbor day" and their street was having a big BBQ, and this guy's family brought around baked goods and said they wouldn't be able to make it to the BBQ, but wanted to show their appreciation for the neighborhood, etc. The social mask of respectability....see, I'm a good neighbor....I'm bringing you gifts because I can't make it to the party.....and the whole time, I'm also plotting to attack you and thousands of other people. For all I know, my name could be on a list somewhere because I am a known American. And that is scary, and it's embarrassing to be associated with such negativity, that that's how people see you...who they assume you are based on where you were born. But I'm a TERRIBLE liar, so telling people I'm British isn't an option...they'd see through that immediately. Although, pretending to be British might not be a good idea, either.
. Presently, it's mostly baked goods, jarred items like honey or jam, etc. Oh, they threw in a small group that sings off in a corner. Um, doesn't help! 
Your girls may like it. It goes down to a 23 waist, 32 1/2 hip. On sale from the 4th to the 6th all Simplicity 1.99 each
That's the punishment for rolling their eyes and trying to get to their electronics before their rooms are clean
