by Emma Riley Sutton

Created on: March 24, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2008

"For the time in my adult life, I am proud of America," Michelle Obama said on more than one occasion. I was taught from a young age that when you open your mouth, you take the chance of showing you ignorance. She certainly did with that statement.

My grandfather fought the Nazis during World War II and lost most of his hearing to protect freedom of speech. I believe you have the right to say just about anything (of course, don't yell fire...), but along with that right you have a responsibility to think before you speak. Especially when you are trying to get your husband elected to the highest office in the land. She wasn't sitting at home, talking to her family - she was addressing voters.

Common sense should always prevail. This comment, repeated more than once, lacked common sense. Did it cross her mind that she might alienate voters, no matter how disillusioned they are about America? Common sense should have told her that hope isn't something that you suddenly wake up with one morning. According to her comment, that is pretty much what happened. Hasn't her husband been instilling hope in her during their marriage? Or, did hope just show up once he decided to run for President?

A few questions for Ms. Obama...Weren't you proud of America when you voted for your husband the first time? How about when you just voted the first time? When you wake up every morning not speaking German, aren't you proud of America? When you walked across the stage at the Ivy League universities you graduated from and got you diplomas, weren't you proud then? Your little girls don't have to worry about female circumcision like some of their Islamic relatives may, aren't you proud? Aren't you proud of America when you freely go to a church that spews anti-American propaganda? I don't mean to sound racist, but I must know - Aren't you proud of America to know that you don't have to worry about your babies "being sold south?"

I don't have the answers to these questions. There are a few things I do know. I know that I am always proud of America. I do not always agree, but I am always proud. I know that what Ms. Obama said was a slap in face to all Americans. I know that hope is much like a muscle and has to exercised daily, not just taken out of a box when running for office.

Michelle Obama must lack pride completely. Or, is she just ungrateful and selfish? How can she wake up every morning and not be proud of America? I know we aren't perfect, but we have it so much better than most.

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