OPINION:
Certain Europeans and members of the left are angry with President Trump for calling the head of FIFA and asking for a review of the ridiculous red card issued against one of our top Team USA scorers.
It emphatically was not a red card; the play was reviewed, and the bad decision was reversed under FIFA’s own rules.
Maybe this surprises some, but it does not surprise Americans. It was a bad call. Americans voiced their opposition. It was unjust. Americans loathe injustice.
British leaders will not lift a finger to help thousands of girls sex-trafficked for more than a decade, but in the United States, if Americans dislike a World Cup call, America’s dad moves to intervene.
This is a major contrast between America and everywhere else.
We hate injustice so much because our republic was born of it, heralded by the rockets’ red glare. A young John Adams staked his legacy defending redcoats after the Boston Massacre so as to cement our fledgling Colonies as a united defender of due process.
We hate injustice so much that we sacrificed well over half a million American lives fighting it during the Civil War. We sacrificed more than 400,000 lives fighting in World War II. We left a blood trail around the world, battling communism, for better or worse. Our military is an entirely volunteer fighting force.
Our debts were paid with blood many years ago.
We love hosting guests from all over the world and showcasing our hospitality. Many of our guests are here from lands where suicidal empathy is driving entire nations toward suicide over climate theories — places where air conditioning is disallowed, unfettered immigration is destabilizing communities, ice is not put into colas, heritage flags featuring St. George’s cross are banned, and you are arrested over X posts.
Here, these guests are free to celebrate their heritage without condemnation: Norway’s famous Viking Row, the Dutch in orange with their “Links Rechts” dance, Scotland’s Tartan Army and its uncanny ability to drink every pub dry within a mile radius of the stadium, Argentina with their brass and drums.
These are all highly individualized, cherished fan rituals performed by mobs of people dressed alike. Maybe they feel they can let loose more here because such celebrations of national heritage are increasingly discouraged at home.
Our guests have spent the past several weeks reintroducing Americans to the great nation, with their wild-eyed marvel at gas stations such as Buc-ee’s, free refills, American barbecue, cowboy boots and small-town friendliness. I hope it radicalizes them and they take the seeds of liberty back to their home countries.
Sure, we have issues here. We have a contingent of the Democratic Party livid that the president hosted a one-time UFC fight card on the White House grounds. Apparently, making gay sex tapes in the Senate chamber and showcasing topless transgender activists on the White House lawn during an Easter brunch are more their style.
The left has spent the better part of the past month trying to convince us that patriotism is “problematic” and isn’t cool anymore (per Arthur Krystal). We began the year with the nation cheering alongside Jack Hughes — draped in the American flag, toothless grin and all — whose gold glory from the Winter Olympics became an iconic timestamp.
We are now halfway through the year, watching international World Cup travelers from all corners of the globe sing the nation’s praises as they enjoy everything America has to offer.
Real patriotism is not predicated on who is in office, how well the economy is doing or whether Team USA has advanced further in the tournament. Patriotism is a love of our republic and the principles for which it stands and a kinship with our fellow citizens (e pluribus unum) — something no other nation on this rock offers.
We are not bound by race, religion or anything other than an animating desire to be free.
This is our biggest contrast and our greatest strength.
• Dana Loesch is the host of the No. 1 nationally syndicated weekday talk program, “Dana Show,” a bestselling author and a Second Amendment advocate. She lives in Dallas.
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