Other than the first Gulf War, what have we, as a nation, accomplished over the past 25 years that we can really be proud of? Name three.

Let's see: With the end of the Cold War we saw the freeing of Eastern Europe. Stopping a genocide in Kosovo. Stepping back from the brink of nuclear war (still needs some work). Developing normal relations with China, greatly reducing tensions there. Still the number one destination of imigrants (legal and otherwise). Raising our families in freedom and prosperity. Living in a nation where we can post opinions like yours without recrimination (most places you can't)

I can go on and on. Accomplishments? Freedom and Democracy are a journey, not a destination. We should always strive to improve. I love living in America. I can't imagine myself living anywhere else. Is this place perfect? No, but I doubt there ever will be a "perfect" place to live. This one does nicely. I will go on record as saying that I am proud of being an American, and always have been, and hope I always will.

Oh, of course another accomplishment: The Giants winning the Super Bowl baby!

Go Big Blue

Can I add:

More foreigners come to the U.S. every year (legally and otherwise) to live permanently than all other countries on the PLANET combined.

Most of these foreigners are not from western Europe. I.e., they are non-white, and certainly non-elite.

For a suck-ass, racist, cynical country, we don't seem to be doing too badly.

Whatever problems we have--and we have many--they pale in comparison to elsewhere.

Folks vote with their feet. And again, this includes black and brown feet who only dream of 1/4 of what Lady Michelle has: two Ivy degrees, a rich and powerful husband, and the luxury to complain about things.

In all fairness, I don't think Mrs. Obama was complaining; I think she was assessing her own experiences and connection to history. Like most of what the MSM is doing these days, this pride "flap" is an overblown issue - much ado about absolutely nothing.

I will go on record as saying that I am proud of being an American, and always have been, and hope I always will.

But are you REALLY proud? As of this week, Michelle is REALLY proud. She said it in the context of a great swell of support for the person she believes has what it takes to be a successful leader. That person happens to be her husband. If we are going to nitpick the words of candidates' partners, let's not leave out any convenient minutaie. From her exact words, all we know is that she is now "really proud" for the first time in her life. Maybe she was just proud before, or marginally proud. But IT DOESN'T MATTER. The fact that many defenders of Michelle's comment have raised plausible and strong arguments for any citizen's lack of pride throughout the past 25 years years of American history, is warning enough that we aren't the country and global leader that we used to be. Face it, and make it better, seems like the most logical conclusion. So, I am proud that we all have a right to voice our opinions on this, but I will be "really embarrassed" as an American when people jump on this like nationalistic neo-fascists.

F pride