I was surprised by my own emotion while reading this. Maybe it was because you were so generous in your opinions and observations when most of the world isn't. Maybe it was just the irony of having a foreign-born be the one to make me feel proud of my nationality again. I am proud of the American ideals. I am not always proud of what my country does, but I am proud of my work ethic, proud of my belief in family, proud of what I've cultivated, and proud of my simple life. I also spent time in the American military, I am proud of that as well, and of my authenticity. Thank you for writing a keen and fair article that made me proud, at least for a moment, of being American again.