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during WWII) she could have been arrested for treason for saying anything remotely close to this statement.

But why is she "under fire" for making such a statement? The main reason she is under fire is because there are, in fact, many on the far left that are ashamed of the United States and even hate the country. The people who feel this way have been on the fringe of society, (particularly among the intellectual elite) but they are attempting to become more mainstream, as their ideas are expressed and taught in many American universities, especially Harvard, where Michelle Obama attended law school. Therefore it is not completely outlandish to suppose that Michelle Obama could feel this way about America. In fact some are now pointing to papers she wrote while in college at Princeton, where she basically said that she did not feel like she would ever truly belong or be integrated into white society, even among her liberal professors and classmates. In truth, she has a right to feel this way, but if she does, she should be honest about it. But because she is the wife of a presidential candidate, it is offensive and insulting to the American people for her to make this type of statement, and it only confirms and legitimizes the fear that many people have of the far left.

Furthermore, Michelle Obama has been given a lot of opportunity in her life. She attended the best schools, became a lawyer, and her husband is running for the highest office in the land; yet Obama, John Edwards, and other politicians gain their wealth and political fame from criticizing the very system which allowed them to get where they are. This is hypocrisy of the worst kind, and this is why so many people are outraged by Michelle Obama's comments and resent such rhetoric.

However, Americans are generally a forgiving people, and Michelle Obama can end the controversy about her remarks by simply apologizing. She has attempted to clarify her statement, but in this instance she did nothing but reiterate the fact that she is really proud in this moment, when so many people have come out to participate in the political process, namely to support her husband. To Americans who were offended by Obama's words, this clarification did not change their opinion of her statement, and many people will not forgive and forget until a real apology is made.

Whether you believe that the criticism of Michelle Obama is valid or that her words were simply taken out of context, everyone should agree that Michelle Obama has to take responsibility for her words, especially when the foundation of Obama's popularity on the campaign trail has been his words. Finally one thing that Democrats, Republicans, and mainstream Americans can and should agree on is that the United States is a noble country and a land of opportunity. And for a public figure to say anything that could come even remotely close to sounding like he/she is ashamed of this country is unacceptable.

Learn more about this author, Jerri Rivers.
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