Ever since September 11^th and the tragic events that have happened since, there has been an influx of products flooding the market most of which feature patriotic symbols, such as the Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers and, most popularly, the Stars and Stripes. While many of us may see this sudden popularity in patriotism refreshing, I find it disturbing.

Just yesterday, I saw yet another commercial for one of those painted Walking Liberty quarters. The announcer talked about the sacrifices that our forefathers had made and how important it was to stick together in this time of crisis. Then, he tried to sell me a quarter. As he extolled on the quarter's vivid color and symbolism, I felt my stomach turn.

Later the very same day, I saw another commercial. This announcer had almost the same things to say on the importance of showing how much you care for your country. The only difference was he was trying to sell me a watch.

The list goes on and on. I fear that it has become very chic to be patriotic.

Some would say that this new found popularity in America is a welcome change. In a way, it is. It is nice not to have so many jaded young people bad mouth America. It is nice how we have all come together, at least for awhile, to mourn and rebuild. However, I don't find it very appealing to have all of these people just buying items with flags on them because it makes them look patriotic. Sort of like wearing ragged jeans look like a rocker or piercing things below the waist makes someone look like a rebel.

Is it popular to be patriotic? Is that wrong?

The answer to both questions is yes. People should be patriotic because they believe that their country is something to be proud of; not because it is the social expectation. People should hang a flag off their porch because they believe in what the symbol stands for; not because their neighbor has one. I'm hardly infallible, but it seems to be the latter taking place rather than the former in both instances. I guess the question really is if you are satisfied with a "I'm for America, see, I bought a flag!" mentality.

The reason that all of these watches and clocks and quarters and tee-shirts and window clings and window clings and commemorative mugs and pins bother me so much is that they have turned the symbol of American freedom, of all the people who have died in America's defense, of all the accomplishments that America has made in its short life and of all the ideals that most Americans hold very dear into a mere marketing tool. Wanna show your patriotism? Buy a pin! Wanna show your American pride? Buy a watch! Wanna support America? Buy a quarter!

One may remark that this is the ultimate showing of the capitalist way of life. We Americans are capitalists. It is quite obvious to me that after about a day or two of grieving, companies realized that they could cash in on this tragedy. And boy, have they been busy. You can't turn on the TV for an hour and not see an advertisement for one of these products. Someone must be buying.

Maybe this wouldn't be such an issue to me if this new found patriotism wasn't quite so new found. Maybe if all of these products were as popular before September 11^th as they are now, I would not be writing this article. Maybe I'm just reading too much into it. Maybe it has always been this way.

All I know for certain is that we Americans have traditionally been a people of action. We stand up and speak out for what we believe in. We can not afford to stand idle, feeling secure in our patriotism because we have immersed ourselves in red, white and blue. There has to be more to it than that.

I hate to seem like a nay sayer poo pooing on patriotism and apple pie, and I know that some people reading this will see me as such, but the fact of the matter is this: the flag is an important symbol of America. Regardless of what it is called, Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, the Star Spangled Banner, each product that is being sold, being marketed because it carries the picture of the American flag, in some small way, cheapens that symbol.

I think that it's wonderful that people are coming together. I think it's wonderful that people want to show their support. I think that it's wonderful that people want to show their pride in America. However, I don't think that all of our pride and support are truly shown by wearing pins or buying window clings with flags on them or suddenly developing a taste for patriotic songs sung by hip pop artists. There must be something more to it than that.

My challenge to you is to find it.