To the editor:

Chris White lists several countries’ citizens who don’t scream out their enthusiasm for their nation (“Empty slogans,” June 12 Public Forum). Take a look at that list and it’s easy to understand why. He starts with Mexico. Obviously Mexicans can’t “shout it out” as they are spending their time being here illegally in the “greatest nation on Earth.” I don’t see people by the millions running to live and work in Albania.

The Armenians for years couldn’t shout out their pride as they were under the dictate of the former Soviet Union and not considered a nation. They have only of late begun to rebuild themselves. Cuba. Chris either wasn’t born during or simply forgets about the Mariel boatlift and the daily “escape” of Cubans from their communist country to the freedom of ours. Europeans. Germany is a European country. Can they, with their past and socialist present, lay claim to being the greatest nation? The Japanese during World War II stated that they were the greatest nation on Earth and were proven wrong. The Chinese will at some point lay claim to this slogan, and with people like Chris White having no sense of pride to defend us, China may likely be.

American pride has been fought for by a history of people Chris will never know, but should thank every day of his life for giving him the freedoms to live in the greatest nation on Earth. America! Love it or leave it.

Robert Tyler,

Ozawkie