GO USA!!!

Why the title GO USA!!! I find irony in all things for some reason. Being a strong supporter of all things USA, it doesn't stop with sports. Sports are the only thing that can bring a nation together besides tragedy. Too bad it only lasts as long as the sporting event does when a team representing the USA doesn't win. Even when they do win, the celebration together lasts about 30 days before people continue on with their daily lives. For a moment, we even forget about those in harms way. World Cup soccer will lose its luster now since Team USA was eliminated by Ghana. People will now move on. No more watching TV on the sidewalk blocking traffic hoping Team USA will pull out another miracle. We find reasons to wave a flag anyway. Show fleeting support for about 5 minutes then something more important comes along. The way we are as Americans is funny when you think about it. I am being facetious about this too. If I were to ask the following where were you questions, what would the average American respond with?

1. Where were you when Team USA beat Russia in Ice Hockey?
2. Where were you when the Women’s Soccer Team won the World Cup?
3. Where you were when the Pittsburgh Steelers won their 6th Super Bowl not that you probably like them?
4. Where were you when Lebron James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers?
5. Where were you when Kobe Bryant won his 5th NBA Championship?
6. Where were you when the men’s soccer team was eliminated from the World Cup by Ghana? (That’s an easy one, it just happened)

There are a lot of Americans who can answer those questions without hesitation and there are definitely several more I could ask. Answer the following questions and see if you know the answer.

1. Where you were when Iraq invaded a small country called Kuwait?
2. Where were you when a KAL flight was shot down by North Korea?
3. Where were you when that Black Hawk went down in Somalia?
4. Where were you when LTC Ollie North testified before the Senate Committee that the most dangerous man in the world is Osama Bin Laden?
5. Where were you during the events of 9/11? (be ashamed if you can’t answer that one)

So, what am I saying? You’re not American if you can’t answer the second group of questions? No. What I’m saying is its funny how sports can dilute what is happening in the world. Sports help us forget, even for a moment. We always find a way to hide the pain and sorrow behind cheering for our favorite professional team and our national teams when they are playing. Why is that? I’m not saying it’s wrong but we damn sure forget totally. We have to be reminded of those horrific events in order to really think about what we were doing and where we were. Not everyone falls into this category of course. This nation needs to wrap around everything that’s American. What does this mean? We’re too busy separating ourselves from each other by our own personal views walking away from someone because we disagree. In anger we say horrible things that separate us further instead of embracing the others opinion to understand why they feel that way about a particular subject. Until tragedy, these individuals will walk separate lives and their differences take a back seat to the chaos. Now throw in a World Cup soccer game involving Team USA, these two will embrace and cheer together. This will last as long as the event. Why not continue that type of support for the nation as a whole on a daily basis? Sorry, I forget freewill is unique in this country. We can’t do that. I’m admittedly an avid fan of sports. I’m not to the point where I can truly hold an argument about who was the best player all time in any particular sport; I would just press someone’s buttons for the hell of it because those sports fans truly do not see anything other than their own research and hate anyone that opposes them. Once again, I forgot. Our arrogance as Americans precedes us in any discussion; even if it’s among other Americans. I have found that there’s no way we can stand together unless there’s a tragedy or Team USA is playing in some sporting event. I guess that’s why only one percent of Americans serve in the Armed Services. Even in disagreement, they still stand together for the common cause. They embrace the name Team USA on a daily basis. They can set aside their differences at a moments notice. They are the true example of what America is all about. Stand up and cheer them. Applaud them as they walk by. You know what though; they would just bow their heads out of respect for you because at least you took the time to recognize them. They don’t do it to see their faces on TV. They’re not there to have their problems and issues splattered all over the media. They definitely don’t do it for the money. They do it for the love of this country despite the differences that are internal and publicized on the nightly news. Take an example America. Drive to the nearest military installation and take a peek. You will see the real Team USA going through physical training together and doing their jobs together. Stand up and be proud of them because they do represent you. Thanks for visiting Stretch’s Corner. These are just my thoughts.