10 July 2006, Color-Man, Pokhara, Nepal

I listened to a man on a flight to India say some things that ticked me off. He was adamently against "nationalistic flag-waving," countries having boundaries, and all forms of foreign occupation. He said that no occupation had ever benefitted the occupied (i.e. Britain in India, the U.S. in Iraq). He was an elegant speaker and knew his history facts. In fact, he even had his Ph.D. But he beat around the bush in our conversation.

Sam brought up British and French occupation of West Africa. "How did that help?" asked the doctor. "Well," said Sam, "those countries were primitive..." The Indian interrupted. "What's your definition of primitive? That's just your perspective. Did the Africans really need that help?" But he never really let us answer.

I'd like to answer him now. Those countries were primitive. The West is better in many ways. The people who argue about American imperialism are, in fact, often enjoying the benefits of Western civilization. The Indian Ph.D. was a democratic thinker arguing, in English, against the effects of democracy. Ironically, those who hate the West often flee to it. I've listened to immigrants to the U.S trash our government. But they love our culture and opportunities. Somehow, to them, those two are disconnected. They'll eat up our language and books and movies and music, but despise the hand that makes these all possible.

The world needs America. It's kind of like Superman; the world hates him because he makes them dependent. But if he were to disappear they'd all cry out for a new savior. America extends its graces to hundreds of countries that need our help. We have the sanitation and medicine and language and technology that everyone else wants. Most importantly, we have a vibrant church family that is spread across the world in missions. AIDS-ridden Africa needs that. They are primitive, and are suffering for it. Overcrowded, poverty-stricken Asia needs that, in many places. Look at the Western influence on South Korea. Look at their technology and booming churches. Look at the mere fact that they have power and hot water. That's more than their neighbors to the north can boast.

America's pride could kill her. But who else would we have leading the world? I'm tired of people being thankless for America. I love hot showers, and even Walmart. I love clean food and filtered water. I love the U.S . Army. I love freedom of speech. I love Johnny Cash and the American Revolution and sweet tea. Maybe I've just been in a blackout country too long, but I must not be alone. Why have millions left their homelands to go to the States? Why do they still? There must be something to the land of the free.

Drew