The guys are no longer standing on the corners selling bum openers. "Bum opener" is a term I created to describe the flags you can hook on the window of your car. You leave your car parked with your flag neatly displayed. A bum walks by and notices your car would make a great shelter for the night. All he or she has to do is grab the flag, pull down using a little body weight, and your window will pop right out.
I am happy these people are gone because it means the patriotism fad is finally coming to an end in Los Angeles. This means that in another two to four months, it will be over in the Midwest. I only call it a fad because it is. I will tell you why.
How many of you now own a flag that you did not already own before Sept. 11? Did you go the extremist route and try to outdo your neighbors by buying the largest flag you could find?
Did you paint the U.S. flag on the side of your house, shed or other large object on your property? Do you even know how to properly fold and fly a flag? How many of you had to wear as much red, white and blue as possible? Did you go the extra step and buy the pins, hats and neckties with the old stars and stripes on it?
While I am on the subject of the flag, how many of you call the U.S. flag the "American Flag." It is a little arrogant of you, don't you think? Canada has a flag, the United States has a flag and Mexico even has a flag, but I have yet to see a flag that represents all three countries on the North American continent as one entity.
So, by now you have already told your friends and family that it's people like me who are the problem with this country. I would like to say it is you.
Most of the U.S. flags available for purchase in the United States were not made here, or even by people from here. The pins, ties, sweaters and other clothing were most likely made by some sweatshop workers in China or Mexico. So, during a tragedy that has affected so many people, both morally and economically, you are supporting other countries rather than your own.
I know you probably donated blood to help out the cause in New York. I applaud you if you did. But how often do you usually donate blood? Hospitals perform operations every day that use blood supplies. Blood banks are always having shortages because there aren't enough people who donate regularly.
When I look at myself, I find I am glad I was born in United States. There are so many freedoms I'm afforded by being born here. I'm glad I had a chance to travel to Manhattan last October. Although I was there on business, I supported local business owners by spending my money in their stores. I am not in the military, but I do support our troops who are traveling abroad to fight for our freedoms.
As for buying goods made in this country, much of my wardrobe was made in Texas. I didn't go out and buy clothes or a flag, because I already own them. I didn't donate blood, because they were telling us not to. I didn't donate money because I didn't have any.
I didn't write this to tell you I'm better than you, although it may have come across that way. I wrote this because I am sick of how obsessed people have become lately about patriotism.
When people are calling me asking if I know where they can buy a flag (because the places they checked were sold out) it tells me that patriotism, as we know it, has become a fad.
If you want to be truly patriotic, don't let it be a fad. You can do this by supporting your country all the time, and not just in times of war and tragedy.
Write to Aaron at rantinrex@hotmail.com
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