MaskedMan:
There sure is a "state of denial" in some - it must be from watching too much TV :-)
The other noticeable thing is, for some reason, it is "unacceptable" to discuss the truth that may not be savory.
I come from a country which was active in stuff like slavery years back (hell.. much the same as the US)... I have no problems stating this was a mistake and don't rush out and stuff up a flagpole in an attempt to "defend" my country.
It is also not a matter of "my country right or wrong" - I'll be top of the queue to blast the hell out of it when things are wrong. I think some call that a democracy.
It's sad to see people who clearly don't have an open mind to discuss anything with sense...
"Patriotism" is clearly a cancerous problem :-)