OT: i love this country...

[lights1961]

from A topic of the least person you expect to hear it from... oh and collinsworth is still an idiot.



'Our Country Is the Best'
August 18, 2008
Assorted TV commentators keep opining that the Olympics are all about the brotherhood of man, rather than national ambition or patriotism. But don't tell that to the fanatically nationalist Chinese -- or to Kobe Bryant, the NBA star who is playing with Team USA in Beijing.


AP
In an interview Friday on NBC, the world's most famous basketball player told Chris Collinsworth how he got "goosebumps" when he received his Olympics uniform. "I actually just looked at it for a while. I just held it there and I laid it across my bed and I just stared at it for a few minutes; just because as a kid growing up this is the ultimate, ultimate in basketball." The Los Angeles Laker went on to call the U.S. "the greatest country in the world. It has given us so many great opportunities, and it's just a sense of pride that you have; that you say, 'You know what? Our country is the best.'"

Mr. Collinsworth seemed either startled or impressed by such sentiment, and asked, "Is that a cool thing to say in this day and age? That you love your country, and that you're fighting for the red, white and blue? It seems sort of like a day gone by."

To which Mr. Bryant replied: "No, it's a cool thing for me to say. I feel great about it, and I'm not ashamed to say it. I mean, this is a tremendous honor."

Cynics will claim that this is merely about marketing, with Mr. Bryant hoping to use the Games to burnish his public image. On the other hand, he and his rich teammates on the basketball squad are giving up their offseason to play for nothing save possible medals. Mr. Bryant has also been an enthusiastic spectator for other U.S. Olympians, waving the Stars and Stripes at various events.

To the kind of Americans who consider themselves primarily "citizens of the world," nationalism at the Olympics is déclassé, even embarrassing. We're with Kobe.

From WSJ.



Rick

[AlteredDNA]

I was very glad to hear Kobe say what he did. No hesitation in his answer, either.

Collinsworth on the other hand -

[whirlwind]

I caught that also. What the hell was that all about? I hope that he got flack from more than a few people for that remark. I doubt it was planned.

[Since 78]

I was very glad to hear Kobe say what he did. No hesitation in his answer, either.

Collinsworth on the other hand -

I agree! Go Kobe!! As for Collisworth he played for the Bungals, what else would you expect ?

[Michigan Girl]

Kobe is slowly but surely starting to win my heart back!!!!

[hoagiepete]

I am no fan of Kobe, but what he said here was awesome.

Regarding Collingsworth, what else would you have expected. He is media now...NBC none the less. They have everything to do with how many feel about the great USA. I can't wait until it is no longer en vogue to rip this great country of ours. We always have been a great country and are still doing unbelievably good things. Don't hear much about it though do we.

Media...kiss my fat pale ass.

Kobe...you may be gaining a fan.

[Don]

Collinsworth and a lot of media types now have to worry about dress code and everything else when it comes to representing the U.S.A., Wearing an unauthorized American Flag lapel pin, while on the job, can get you in serious trouble nowadays.