[viscousmemories]

I think what I'm trying to say is I don't really personally identify with the country I was born, raised and live in. I'm neither proud or embarrassed to be an American, and I can't imagine I'd be any more or less proud to live in any other country. I guess I'm more concerned about who I am and what I personally do in the world than what my country does.

I don't know. The first time I went to Europe and lived amongst people where it was the norm to speak multiple languages, understand the metric system, have a much firmer grasp of history and geography, etc. I was embarrassed to be an American. But I realize now that any given European born and raised in America would quite probably be the same as me. It's not my fault I grew up the way I did, so I don't know why I should be embarrassed about it. Similarly I only have limited influence in the operation of the government, so I don't see much point in being personally embarrassed about their stupid actions.