When in Rome...

If you've ever traveled throughout the world, you may have been cautioned about avoiding the "Ugly American" syndrome.

Remember the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun?" In case you don't, there is a character who typifies the classic Ugly American. He's a Louisiana Sheriff vacationing in Thailand. He's so uncouth he berates the locals for "wearing pajamas" and having "pointy heads." He's basically a harmless oaf who gets some minor comeuppance in the end.

But at least this guy's just visiting. I imagine his type would not want to live abroad, nor would his hosts be thrilled to have him.

The character in this movie is based on a factual stereotype. There really are people out there who think like him. They think that American culture exists wherever there are Americans. But that's not the case.

In some countries, shaking hands is offensive. In others, the old "shave and a haircut" knock on a door will get you a punch in the nose. It's the way life is.

So why is it that Americans have to kowtow (to use a word from another culture) to every culture of the world? I want to respect other cultures, but at least ours could get respect as well.

Perhaps one of the highest forms of respect for our culture is the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. It's a bond between all Americans -- even those who, for various reasons, decline to participate. Their decision and the reaction it usually gets demonstrates the power of the Pledge.

I'm not sure what to make of news that some schools (here's one: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/232859.php) that encourage reciting the Pledge in multiple languages.

On one hand, it can be movingly patriotic to have someone from another country pledge allegiance to Old Glory using his or her native tongue. And I cannot be critical of saying it in sign language.

But there is one group of folks to whom I will generally defer in matters like this: veterans.

I'm not a veteran, but I have deep respect for any man or woman who has put on the uniform of this nation and risked life and limb so I could do things like freely write this little 'ol blog. And the veterans I have spoken to are not pleased that the Pledge would be said in anything but English. They have their reasons, most of which boil down to respect for the language of the Declaration of the Independence and the Constitution. If it's good enough for those...

I think of the flag being raised at Iwo Jima, or the Stars and Stripes that flew over Ft. McHenry and is on display at the Smithsonian; or the flag that was raised over the rubble of the World Trade Center on 9-11 and I think of the men and women who fought and died for what that flag represents. So many of them bled for the ideals embodied in that cloth and so many of them want to pay respect to that flag in the language of our Founders.

That's not too much to ask, is it?