Patriotism vs Arrogance

This video shows an act by Rick Monday that exhibits more pride in being an American than I've seen in our current president. I would be surprised to hear Rick Monday apologize to anyone, particularly foreign countries, for his country's attitude toward, or foreign policies with, Europe. I fully expect that Pres. Obama would be willing to allow and watch on as the American flag is burned, excusing it as a justifiable act of freedom of speech. Why not? He accepted campaign money from people who did it/do it as casually as I would get a cup of coffee.

Addressing a crowd of some 2,000 mainly students from France and Germany, Mr Obama said: “In America, there is a failure to appreciate Europe's leading role in the world. Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.”

Were we arrogant when virtually every other country bailed from supporting the ongoing rebuilding of Iraq? Were we arrogant when, for decades, ship after ship after ship have delivered millions of tons of food, rice, and wheat stamped "Product of USA" to impoverished countries? Were we arrogant in World War I and II when we joined in the fight to beat back Axis powers from European doorsteps?

Or, were "we" arrogant when Sen. Obama stood on a campaign soapbox claiming he'd "use a scalpel" to reduce pork barrel spending, and then goes on to approve Air Force One to do a NYC fly-by costing taxpayers, in the midst of a recession, $328,835. In addition, Obama announced yesterday a more aggressive pursuit of tax cheats. Ummm, would somebody slip Obama a note that several of his nominees for cabinet positions, including Sec. of Treasury, failed to pay taxes?

Apparently beauty isn't the only thing in the eye of the beholder, but also arrogance.