A couple months ago I bought my first American flag and proudly display it outside of my house. I now vote in local and national elections. I am thinking of getting the red white and blue tattooed somewhere on myself (as a 4th tattoo). I feel serving for ones country is an honor that I missed out on.
I had a deep sense of nationalistic pride surge through me on the morning of September 11th, 2001. I never had an outlet for the pride and anger I faced after that day. Until I left the borg, I always felt uneasy about those feelings.
I hate most politicians and the lies they spew. I don’t like that America has become the world’s police. But I believe if someone challenges you to a fight or stands in the way of the personal freedoms of weaker ones, then someone needs to step in and kick a little ass.
All in all, I am a proud American who is also a little conflicted…
So, yes. I am more outwardly patriotic since leaving.