Remember when the USA was referred to as the land of opportunity? With so much of the current day media devoting it’s time to bashing the USA, even some of us die hard Red, White and Blue believers sometimes wonder. And if you think it is affecting you, some of the press around the globe paints a picture of the USA as a wretched place, rampant with crime, fraud and danger.
Well, I am happy to report that the news about America’s demise is largely exaggerated and way out of proportion to our reality. And while that is indeed my opinion, if you’ve been hanging around the cities where great global events such as World Cup competitions and tall ship sailings have been happening, you can hear this firsthand from the foreign visitors who came here to participate.
I’ve heard countless stories from friends who were hanging out with people that were here to watch the World Cup about how happy these visitors were with America’s hospitality, vibrance and willingness to welcome strangers to their homeland. They raved about the food, the hotels, the bars and even the ranch dressing. Many even confessed that their close friends and family back in their homeland begged them not to come to America for fear that they wouldn’t return in one piece. In fact, the camaraderie and partying with the people from Scotland while visiting Boston was so jovial and hearty that the NE Patriots have even talked about trying to get an NFL game played in Scotland.
In the midst of all this, the world sent their best, most decorative ships to the USA to celebrate our 250th birthday. Cruising on a boat in Boston Harbor, you could hear these magnificent ships blasting the Start Spangled Banner for all to hear. Clearly the sailors were proud to represent their country and totally enjoyed the reception and revelry that the cities on the East Coast had to offer for them. All around the city were well dressed sailors taking in the sights, the beer and the concerts and parties that we had lined up for them.
I hope this gives you reasons to be cheerful about the USA. While differences of opinion will always exist, this is still the best place in the world to live. Rock on America, Happy Birthday!
