I love my country

I love my country. I'm proud of it. I'm thankful that I can call myself an American. It's been quite a while since I've felt that. No, I'm not sharing this sentiment because of all the pride from watching the Olympics. Not because a certain candidate that I'm partial to has picked a solid running mate. Not even because I just moved to our nation's capital. (Though all of these points are pretty awesome). What made me feel a swell of pride and gratitude is a group of about a half-dozen individuals standing across the street chanting and waving signs at the huge gated building next door to my building. That group is protesting because they have something they believe in and something that they need to say. I don't even have to tell you what they're protesting for that to be a beautiful and amazing phenomenon. But what makes it even more beautiful and amazing is that there are only so many places these individuals can even go to be able to have such a voice. They're supporters of Georgia, and they're protesting the Russian Federation embassy. Point blank, I know and understand very little about the situation over there, so I'm not trying to get into those politics. I'm just pointing out how wonderful and lucky we are to live in a place where a group of 10 can safely and peaceably express their opinions to a goliath. They can't do that in their own country. They sure can't do that within Russia. Yet here they stand. And here they've stood every evening since the occupation. It's our country's ideals that give them this voice. And it's those ideals that I hope our country can return to once again.

I know on a practical level, our country is a world leader because of our economic strength. Or our military prowess. Or our technological advances. But I feel like the real reason so many around the world look to our nation and have interest in our politics is because of what we represent. Hope. This place is living proof that hope for something better can result in change for the better. That people can have different ideas or different opinions and still find success. That individuals work hard when they can work to fulfill their dreams. That no one person or group has it all right. And that working together, we all see improvements in the world. It's a huge responsibility, but generally, I think we fulfill it well. And I'm immensely honored to be a part of it.