Home of the Brave

I think patriotism is a matter of choice: whether you have any, how much, etc. But, I also think it is difficult not to feel a certain surge of national pride while watching a fellow countryman compete against the world and emerge as the best of the best. At last count, the United States has 102 medals, including the record-breaking 8 medals in one Olympics won by Michael Phelps. While that is an AMAZING accomplishment, I think huge props should be given to his teammate Jason Lezak who swam the final leg of the last Men's 4x100 Relay as if demons of hell were chasing him, widening the gap between the US and Australia, and coming in first, well ahead of the other swimmers, helping Phelps to get that 8th medal. I was as proud of that while watching the race as I was of anything. I was also rooting for Dara Torres, the 41 year old American swimmer, whose Olympic career spans 20 years, and who has won 5 medals in the 2008 games alone. Our men's gymnastics team, taking bronze with 2 alternates, Gold medals for both the men's and women's Beach Volleyball pairs, a huge showing in the track and field events, and we still have a couple days to go. Congratulations to all our American athletes, and to all those who are there from all over the world, proving themselves among the best of the best!