Patriotic at Heart

There are two things lately that disturb me every time I see or hear them. I never thought of myself as overly patriotic but it is the only explanation to explain the way that I feel that I can think of. In honor of Veteran's Day, I'm going to vent.

The first is a "green is the new red, white, and blue" bumper sticker that I see on a car in the pick-up line at Ben's school. I recognize being green as a movement worth throwing some weight behind. We're trying to be more green ourselves, but we're not going overboard with it. We've started gardening, composting, and E's wearing cloth diapers, but I'm still buying disposable wipes and lunchables. It really bugs me that they recolored the flag because so many people over the years have fought and died for what the flag represents. Something inside me wants to jump out of my car and peel that sticker off the car every time I see it.

The second is the end of a chorus of a perfectly lovely Christmas song that came out last year.

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me
- How Many Kings by Downhere

I love the lyrics and melody right up until the last two lines. The melody seems to emphasize and separate them from the rest. I, again, remember all of the fathers who have lost (and thus given up) their sons and daughters for my freedom. When I hear these lines, my heart argues with the song.

So there they are folks, the two things that prove to me that I am patriotic and care about the troops and their families. How do you feel about these and are there any other things that bug you?