Cowboys V. Mounties

The U.S has always been known as “The Land of The Free” and “The Home of The Brave”. But, who would ever think that this “brave” country would add bully to its list of descriptive traits? After reading Sarah Vowell fascination with Canada and her comparison of the U.S cowboys and the Canadian Mounties has left me to view the U.S in an entire new light. Although, I have lived in the U.S all my life, which, is only 18 years there is a lot about this a lot about this “Brave” country that I am unaware about. It is my own lack of knowledge that intrigued me the most with Ms. Vowell obsession with Canada and yet, her critique of America. It is “my head in the sand” that had me to over the look the hostile patriotism that the U.S carries high up on its shoulders that never brought this issue to my attention. However, I do agree with her on many issues. For instance, her outlook on the U.S cowboy and the symbolism there is behind this image and the way that it comes off to others including myself. When I think of the symbolism behind a cowboy I image a person high up on a horse with a rifle by their side and a Marlboro cigarette lit in their mouth. A person ready top seize fire on anyone that may come within contact of them. It is this same very image that got me to thinking the message that America is sending out to other countries. I feel as though just like the Canadians, America could have also handled its allies through conversation instead of continuing war that is still in progress. But, that is an entire different subject. What does this image send out to those countries that may not want to go into war but may just want to drink a cup of tea and handle their disagreements as adults?

"A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE"

In the mist of reading a book titled “Into the Wild”; the story talks about a young man named Alex whose character intrigues me and yet touches me in a way. I find Alex character to be very courageous the thing that many people lack especially me. I have always been a very shy person, very inhibited and very self conscious. Alex does not share any of these characteristics which are what intrigues me the most about him. He is willing to do some of the most demeaning jobs that many people would turn down such as: cleaning rats from out of holes and getting down and dirty for a little of nothing. Alex is so sure of himself that it did not bother him at all of what people thought of him such as his appearance. Alex lived for himself to and to find the one thing that would make him happy which was going into the wild, Alaska. Once I was introduced to Alex in the beginning of the story; I was most certain that Alex character was insane ungrateful and even spoiled because of his actions. The fact that he burned all of the money that he left in his pocket, donated all of his savings, leaving his parents to grieve and going into the wild alone and unprepared. Once I began to continue reading the story it hit me that Alex just wanted to be truly happy. This story inspires me not to be so inhibited and to step from out of “the box” my own world. Enjoy the little things that I have and not to be so self involved with materialistic items.