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The New Bell-bottoms?
 Joe Palmersheim -- Guest Column
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I hate to say it, but patriotism is just another fad.
I think everyone remembers the first few days after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. I remember driving home and seeing the American flag on everyone's porch and window, as if some silent voice had told them that it was the proper thing to do. Without realizing they were part of a much larger whole, they acted and did what they thought was appropriate. I took pride in the unity that one felt, and pride in our country, especially in the young people my own age. Part of me even thought that it might last.
I was wrong.
Patriotism came and went within the same month last year. By early October, things were back to normal and Americans were busy reverting back to their apolitical, apathetic selves. Call me a cynic, but a year after Sept. 11 nothing has really changed. We're just as dumb as we were before. Red, white and blue? Forget it, it's pass�. The shining feelings of pride and patriotism felt last year? Gone; replaced with a hollow sense of foreboding, as we realize the mistakes made by our fathers before us and cringe in thought of the consequences. Instead of a quick resolution and eventual triumph, we are faced with the prospect of going to war in a place we've already once fought in and pissing off the rest of the world in the process. Do I want this? NO. Does anyone want this? I should hope not.
Like I said before, people my own age seem to be apathetic towards a very uncertain future, as if some sort of fatalism has is in its grip and won't let us go. Where are our flags? Where are our heroes? We search for some hope where there is none to be seen. Among older people, there is still a sense of unity and patriotism. But then again, they can afford to be patriotic. If another war starts, it won't be them going off to war � it will be you and me, the young people. Our blood will be shed, not theirs.
So when you look at the flags up for the one-year anniversary of the attacks, look closely, because the chances of you seeing a corporate logo near or even on the flag is high. It's as if the very flag of our country has just become another marketing tool. And if that doesn't make it a fad, what does?
Every trendy store I go into I see t-shirts made in China with the American flag on them, and some trite little saying like "never forget." You shouldn't have to wear what you feel on a t-shirt, but I guess most Americans do that all the time. I guess what bothers me the most about all of this is that a sense of duty and pride in one's country only comes around at a time like this.
It's sad that 3,000 people had to die to bring us to realize what we have in this country, but it's even worse that the feeling faded so quickly.
Just like a fad.
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