Faux Americans: Are You a Fair-Weather Fan?

Prompt: Mailer Blog #1

In Norman Mailer's book "Why Are We at War?", he actually describes Americans, after the tragic September 11th attack on the World Trade Center, as showing newly devoted "flag-waving" because of the event. This means that he said because of an attack on the security of their nation, many Americans were suddenly all for supporting the United States and showing their "love" for their country. Mailer also bluntly describes this "flag-waving" as "promiscuous patriotism" on the part of Americans.

Promiscuous behavior is defined as casual, haphazard, random, and irregular.
Patriotism is defined as devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty.

Put the two together under what Mailer believes and you get "Casual and irregular devotion for one's country.
Ouch.

I agree with Norman Mailer on this point. After 9/11, I heard many people speaking about the United States with sickeningly, fake enthusiasm when not a week before, they had absolutely nothing good to say about the country or its leaders or policies on foreign affairs. Every where I looked, there were American flags hung out around every porch; patriotic pins on the front of everyone's jacket. Hymns about love of country and "God Bless America" were sung in churches and support groups were formed all with the same attitude of patriotism.

And then a few months passed and it all fell apart.

Most people went back to their "America-Bush-Iraq"-bashing ways, and threw their flag pins in the trash. I had actually gotten excited about people stepping up and defending their country's ideals and beliefs, but I guess most of it was fake anyways. Mailer makes a valid point about our slack expressions of love for our country, but I believe we should take a stand and bring our patriotism back to the forefront of our nation!! We should be supporting our leaders even through the most difficult moments and decisions they must experience every day. Don't be a "fair-weather fan" and only support the home team when they're winning. Be proud of where you are from!!!
GO AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!