A few years ago, I was driving through our neighborhood in western Massachusetts with my late mother, who then was in her 90s.
My dad and both of her brothers served in World War II and we always had the American flag flying in front of our home when I was growing up.
Anyway, Mom spent the better part of the last couple years with my sister and my brother-in-law down in Florida (Palm Beach - they called it “La La Land”.) It was pretty great, except my brother-in-law is very close friends with Elizabeth Warren. He gives generously to the Democratic Party and is a wonderful guy I love them very much but they go to all the Democratic fundraisers, etc. etc. and spout the Democrat dogma constantly.
Why do I bring this up? Back to my Mom - we were driving through our neighborhood. Somebody had a flag out and mom just grown and said, “Ugh - Trumper!”
I told her, “Mom - Dad and your brothers fought for America under that flag. Give it some respect!” She got mad at me, but at least she never said that again in my presence.
Just the idea of being friends with Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren is bad enough so I cannot imagine what it is like for you to have a brother-in-law who is. Hats off to you for loving him anyway; and for the respectful way you spoke to your elderly mother who was likely echoing the TDS toxicity of her son-in-law.
Loving America is sort of like a long time marriage huh? Do you like everything about your spouse? I'm confident you emphatically do not. Does the other partner feel the same? Boy howdy, you better believe they do. Do you both keep showing up every day and keep trying to make it better? If you got any sort of backbone and integrity you do because you made a promise to each other you intend to keep. Those who write this great wonderful experiment in democracy off are not loyal to its ideals and vision. Their loyalty is to a soft tyranny that controls your every interaction by taking your God given freedoms, and then charging you to get them back.
This was such a wonderful piece today Jenna. Thanks for reminding us that it is still great to be an American.
I am so glad you wrote this. I've been watching videos from those visiting us from other nations, and seeing their reactions to how great it really is here, and it has warmed my heart and given me hope. The anti-American propaganda they have been fed (which many of them mention) is being destroyed by us just being... us.
'Tis a beautiful thing. Thanks for highlighting it...
I too love this essay a lot. I have always been proud to be American. I have always been leery of government and the many different think tanks and 3 letter agencies. But even with them trying their hardest to bring us down we have the strength and fortitude to know the real America and Americans in our hearts and soul.
Something that makes my eyes water is when in Germany China and Australia and other international events they sing the John Denver song Take Me Home, Country Roads.
When they sing it and know the words and referencing a place in the US it is so heartening to hear. I moved here to WV 2.5 years ago and I never realized the impact of that song on the world.
It is American to distrust the government. WV is great. We sing that song every year as we cross the border at Huntington on our way to VA and then OBX. My parents grew up in Welch, WV.
True. Spent a lot of time at the track in high school and tubing at Harper's Ferry. My brother lives in Hamilton, VA. I grew up in Leesburg when it was a small town. The left has ruined Northern Virginia, unfortunately.
I just Love it here in WV. It is so friendly, but getting a bit overbuilt and selling to the swamp creatures. But I am from away so I cannot be a complainer. I hail from Kennebunk Me. I moved to be closer to my son and grandsons but also to escape the invaders and the high taxes. Here it is better and pleasant. I go to Leesburg often, many good breweries and eateries.
My daughter was in London a few years back, out partying with friends. And the pub they were in all broke into song at one point. The song? Take Me Home, Country Roads.
I never thought about how universal that song's appeal must be. We've gone from a 90% agrarian society to 95% urban in just a few generations. And it's true across the developed world.
Thanks for the reminder about my daughter's story.
Kind of a silly question but did they sing it with a posh accent or plain old American English? I better go listen to Jenna’s links for other countries singing it
Freddy from Germany and the various others are awesome! Seeing a Buc-ee’s or a sunset on Mobile Bay through their eyes is so fun. I have similar awe both here in the U.S. and in Italy, Argentina, etc. when I see great sites, eat great food and meet great people!
The anti-American propaganda is pushed on us by the left whenever our party has the levers of power. Their pride is attached to power. Ours isn’t, as this graph proves:
"If you only listened to our own media, you’d never know any of this." It's why I completely bailed on the MSM / lamestream media a long time ago. What's really going on in the world? Who knows? All I can tell you for sure is that it's not whatever those institutions tell you. Great column Jenna!
“Because I think that’s the real divide. It’s not that one side thinks America is above criticism and the other doesn’t. It’s that one side is far more comfortable celebrating what we’ve gotten right, while the other seems hell-bent on cataloging everything we’ve ever gotten wrong.”
Mic. Drop.
From one Pollyanna to another: Texas rocks, America rocks, and YOU rock.
I’m a Brit, living in Canada. I believe America is probably the greatest country on earth. Ten years ago, I might have given the nod to Canada, but since then the Liberals have wrecked it.
Jeff Johnson, in 2024 we moved out of a former red state that has been destroyed by the left thanks to all mail in ballot elections. It has only gotten worse since we left and many we know have made the same decision we did.
Obviously, your firsthand experience with these idiots counts greatly toward the truth of what they do. It's very sad. I live in Texas, and so far, we're still good.
Great read. I'm from a family full of Patriots who served in the military. Mom, Dad, all my uncles, all my male cousins, some of my female cousins. My first husband. We always say America, Hell Yeah! Plus I've been to 25 other countries. There is no place like the USA.
Proud patriotic flag-waving American here! Those lefty crybabies who think otherwise should leave. Maybe move to Cuba. Or South Korea. Or Yemen. I hear Yemen is nice. Their pansy asses would be crying to come back to the good ole’ USA in less than 24 hours.
DJL, even those loudmouth Hollyidiots Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell have come back after finding out the UK and Ireland are not like they imagined. 😏Unfortunately we cannot kick their ungrateful b***s back over there.
The problem with being a proud flag waving American is that it now puts a target on you.
I moved to a small town in South Dakota hoping to find friendly people that shared a conservative political view and to escape the liberals of Minneapolis / St. Paul. Unfortunately I've never felt less safe in my life! Very disappointing.
It’s unbelievable & depressing how the culture has changed (I was born in 1958). There is an ad going around from 1976 for our 200th & it was filled w/ patriotism & Americana. I don’t think I’ve seen a single ad celebrating our 250th; in fact, acknowledging it seems to be MIA.
It is heartwarming to see the rest of the world’s enthusiasm for our country. I wish the “Americans” who hate it would put their money where their mouths are (up their asses) & leave for the s#!+ hole countries & tyrannical systems they profess to love so much.
The founding cities are celebrating. Boston, Philadelphia. They celebrate their founding patriots every year of course. I was recently in Boston for some of it and never realized how much it’s in their identity. . . A Lot. Despite the current cultural muck. So maybe there’s hope? Lord I hope so.
I do too 7! Always hear the worst things about politicians in both of those states (& others). I live in a smallish town in the red part of a very blue state so I think it will be good here. I was just making the point that there doesn’t seem to be nationwide pride.
Fox News has had many celebratory commercials every hour of every day about our 250th, so at least there’s that. (In between bouts of their control of the narrative that is … yeah they sometimes still do that. I watched Jillian Turner yesterday literally stumble over her own tongue trying to find words to represent the Democrat argument against what Trump is doing in a valid light - she failed miserably and thankfully her two guest female panel straightened her out. 🤣 They wouldn’t let her get away with it and I was so thankful to them. But I’m not blind to Fox still having a leg (or maybe just a finger) in the leftist narrative…)
Cowboy Kent Rollins is doing series of YouTube cooking videos based on our #250 birthday. He just did one about America’s Macaroni and Cheese. The dish has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson but really was from his black chef who traveled with Jefferson to France.
It’s nice to finally read something so positive about our country. We are going through a reckoning of sorts and will hopefully get to the other side even better…hopefully the libs won’t do too much damage in the midterms. They truly are an insufferable bunch
“A wise man once said, if you want to hate America, watch the news. If
you want to love America, drive across it.”
And “ one side is far more comfortable celebrating what we’ve gotten right, while the other seems hell-bent on cataloging everything we’ve ever gotten wrong.” All so true. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!
Great post! The American Middle Class is what makes America so uniquely attractive. America’s enemies (domestic and foreign) understand that by destroying the Middle Class they can Build Back Better (a Communist Technocracy). The American Middle Class prevailed in the 1776 Revolution and it will prevail 250 years later.
A few years ago, I was driving through our neighborhood in western Massachusetts with my late mother, who then was in her 90s.
My dad and both of her brothers served in World War II and we always had the American flag flying in front of our home when I was growing up.
Anyway, Mom spent the better part of the last couple years with my sister and my brother-in-law down in Florida (Palm Beach - they called it “La La Land”.) It was pretty great, except my brother-in-law is very close friends with Elizabeth Warren. He gives generously to the Democratic Party and is a wonderful guy I love them very much but they go to all the Democratic fundraisers, etc. etc. and spout the Democrat dogma constantly.
Why do I bring this up? Back to my Mom - we were driving through our neighborhood. Somebody had a flag out and mom just grown and said, “Ugh - Trumper!”
I told her, “Mom - Dad and your brothers fought for America under that flag. Give it some respect!” She got mad at me, but at least she never said that again in my presence.
Just the idea of being friends with Elizabeth “Pocahontas” Warren is bad enough so I cannot imagine what it is like for you to have a brother-in-law who is. Hats off to you for loving him anyway; and for the respectful way you spoke to your elderly mother who was likely echoing the TDS toxicity of her son-in-law.
I like the other nickname for her, 'Stands With a Beer.'
groaned
but yeah, how they even corrupted the heads of our parents
Loving America is sort of like a long time marriage huh? Do you like everything about your spouse? I'm confident you emphatically do not. Does the other partner feel the same? Boy howdy, you better believe they do. Do you both keep showing up every day and keep trying to make it better? If you got any sort of backbone and integrity you do because you made a promise to each other you intend to keep. Those who write this great wonderful experiment in democracy off are not loyal to its ideals and vision. Their loyalty is to a soft tyranny that controls your every interaction by taking your God given freedoms, and then charging you to get them back.
This was such a wonderful piece today Jenna. Thanks for reminding us that it is still great to be an American.
What a perfect analogy!🎯
Unconditional love is required. As is self-sacrifice and humility.
Tim! This is excellent! Very good way to view it. Keep showing up every day and try to make it better!
I am so glad you wrote this. I've been watching videos from those visiting us from other nations, and seeing their reactions to how great it really is here, and it has warmed my heart and given me hope. The anti-American propaganda they have been fed (which many of them mention) is being destroyed by us just being... us.
'Tis a beautiful thing. Thanks for highlighting it...
I was so choked up watching those videos too! 🇺🇸🩷
Ditto!
I too love this essay a lot. I have always been proud to be American. I have always been leery of government and the many different think tanks and 3 letter agencies. But even with them trying their hardest to bring us down we have the strength and fortitude to know the real America and Americans in our hearts and soul.
Something that makes my eyes water is when in Germany China and Australia and other international events they sing the John Denver song Take Me Home, Country Roads.
When they sing it and know the words and referencing a place in the US it is so heartening to hear. I moved here to WV 2.5 years ago and I never realized the impact of that song on the world.
It is American to distrust the government. WV is great. We sing that song every year as we cross the border at Huntington on our way to VA and then OBX. My parents grew up in Welch, WV.
Yes, but a large part Depend on it. And they are the loudest and with the least morality and are not afraid to cheat to achieve their goals.
I live in Charles Town. Close enough to the "SWAMP" to visit my son and grandsons.
True. Spent a lot of time at the track in high school and tubing at Harper's Ferry. My brother lives in Hamilton, VA. I grew up in Leesburg when it was a small town. The left has ruined Northern Virginia, unfortunately.
I just Love it here in WV. It is so friendly, but getting a bit overbuilt and selling to the swamp creatures. But I am from away so I cannot be a complainer. I hail from Kennebunk Me. I moved to be closer to my son and grandsons but also to escape the invaders and the high taxes. Here it is better and pleasant. I go to Leesburg often, many good breweries and eateries.
My daughter was in London a few years back, out partying with friends. And the pub they were in all broke into song at one point. The song? Take Me Home, Country Roads.
I never thought about how universal that song's appeal must be. We've gone from a 90% agrarian society to 95% urban in just a few generations. And it's true across the developed world.
Thanks for the reminder about my daughter's story.
Search for that on X, it’s everywhere too!☺️
Kind of a silly question but did they sing it with a posh accent or plain old American English? I better go listen to Jenna’s links for other countries singing it
Country Roads & Sweet Caroline!
Freddy from Germany and the various others are awesome! Seeing a Buc-ee’s or a sunset on Mobile Bay through their eyes is so fun. I have similar awe both here in the U.S. and in Italy, Argentina, etc. when I see great sites, eat great food and meet great people!
The anti-American propaganda is pushed on us by the left whenever our party has the levers of power. Their pride is attached to power. Ours isn’t, as this graph proves:
https://ibb.co/5xJV37DY
"If you only listened to our own media, you’d never know any of this." It's why I completely bailed on the MSM / lamestream media a long time ago. What's really going on in the world? Who knows? All I can tell you for sure is that it's not whatever those institutions tell you. Great column Jenna!
“People don’t save for years to visit racist dystopias. They don’t immigrate to countries that are circling the drain.”
Unless they are Karen Bass or Tim Walz, claiming “vacation” to travel to Cuba or China to receive their commie-bastard marching orders.
Oh, right, THEY didn’t save or even pay for those. They conned the state into paying for those. So I guess Jenna is right again.
“Because I think that’s the real divide. It’s not that one side thinks America is above criticism and the other doesn’t. It’s that one side is far more comfortable celebrating what we’ve gotten right, while the other seems hell-bent on cataloging everything we’ve ever gotten wrong.”
Mic. Drop.
From one Pollyanna to another: Texas rocks, America rocks, and YOU rock.
Bad ass as always. 🙌🤬🍑😘
I’m a Brit, living in Canada. I believe America is probably the greatest country on earth. Ten years ago, I might have given the nod to Canada, but since then the Liberals have wrecked it.
As liberals ALWAYS do.
Jeff Johnson, yes indeed, you are exactly right. The left destroys everything it touches then moves on to its next target to rinse and repeat.
Yep, exactly. What an incredibly horrible way to live.
Jeff Johnson, in 2024 we moved out of a former red state that has been destroyed by the left thanks to all mail in ballot elections. It has only gotten worse since we left and many we know have made the same decision we did.
Obviously, your firsthand experience with these idiots counts greatly toward the truth of what they do. It's very sad. I live in Texas, and so far, we're still good.
BUC-EE !!! Heck yeah 👍🏼… now onward to fraud , waste and abuse , lower taxes and voter fraud elimination and make our food healthy again ! 🎯💕
Great read. I'm from a family full of Patriots who served in the military. Mom, Dad, all my uncles, all my male cousins, some of my female cousins. My first husband. We always say America, Hell Yeah! Plus I've been to 25 other countries. There is no place like the USA.
🇺🇸💪👏
What an absolute blessing to belong to a family like that during these times. ❤️💪
Proud patriotic flag-waving American here! Those lefty crybabies who think otherwise should leave. Maybe move to Cuba. Or South Korea. Or Yemen. I hear Yemen is nice. Their pansy asses would be crying to come back to the good ole’ USA in less than 24 hours.
😂
DJL, even those loudmouth Hollyidiots Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell have come back after finding out the UK and Ireland are not like they imagined. 😏Unfortunately we cannot kick their ungrateful b***s back over there.
The problem with being a proud flag waving American is that it now puts a target on you.
I moved to a small town in South Dakota hoping to find friendly people that shared a conservative political view and to escape the liberals of Minneapolis / St. Paul. Unfortunately I've never felt less safe in my life! Very disappointing.
Sorry to hear that JW! N. Idaho a better choice, beautiful Coeur d’Alene / Hayden - safe & free.
It’s unbelievable & depressing how the culture has changed (I was born in 1958). There is an ad going around from 1976 for our 200th & it was filled w/ patriotism & Americana. I don’t think I’ve seen a single ad celebrating our 250th; in fact, acknowledging it seems to be MIA.
It is heartwarming to see the rest of the world’s enthusiasm for our country. I wish the “Americans” who hate it would put their money where their mouths are (up their asses) & leave for the s#!+ hole countries & tyrannical systems they profess to love so much.
The founding cities are celebrating. Boston, Philadelphia. They celebrate their founding patriots every year of course. I was recently in Boston for some of it and never realized how much it’s in their identity. . . A Lot. Despite the current cultural muck. So maybe there’s hope? Lord I hope so.
I do too 7! Always hear the worst things about politicians in both of those states (& others). I live in a smallish town in the red part of a very blue state so I think it will be good here. I was just making the point that there doesn’t seem to be nationwide pride.
Oh yes, we won’t “hear about it.” Thats for sure.
Fox News has had many celebratory commercials every hour of every day about our 250th, so at least there’s that. (In between bouts of their control of the narrative that is … yeah they sometimes still do that. I watched Jillian Turner yesterday literally stumble over her own tongue trying to find words to represent the Democrat argument against what Trump is doing in a valid light - she failed miserably and thankfully her two guest female panel straightened her out. 🤣 They wouldn’t let her get away with it and I was so thankful to them. But I’m not blind to Fox still having a leg (or maybe just a finger) in the leftist narrative…)
Cowboy Kent Rollins is doing series of YouTube cooking videos based on our #250 birthday. He just did one about America’s Macaroni and Cheese. The dish has been attributed to Thomas Jefferson but really was from his black chef who traveled with Jefferson to France.
It’s nice to finally read something so positive about our country. We are going through a reckoning of sorts and will hopefully get to the other side even better…hopefully the libs won’t do too much damage in the midterms. They truly are an insufferable bunch
“A wise man once said, if you want to hate America, watch the news. If
you want to love America, drive across it.”
And “ one side is far more comfortable celebrating what we’ve gotten right, while the other seems hell-bent on cataloging everything we’ve ever gotten wrong.” All so true. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!
Great post! The American Middle Class is what makes America so uniquely attractive. America’s enemies (domestic and foreign) understand that by destroying the Middle Class they can Build Back Better (a Communist Technocracy). The American Middle Class prevailed in the 1776 Revolution and it will prevail 250 years later.
Boy did I need this! TY Jenna :-) nice to be reminded that our cup is more than half full. I'm feeling like flying a freaky FREEDOM flag!
I keep wondering who voted “an actual hellhole”.
And wondering even more why they would even read far enough to take the poll if they truly feel that way. Perhaps it was a mistake. I pray it was.
Same🤦♀️🙏
Oddly enough, today my finger bumped the second choice on my way to the top button so mistakes do happen.