Gary Graham has some things to say about what it means to be an American and be proud, not ashamed, of it. (And a few related issues, like not thinking the world owes you free handouts for anything you want.)
I don't agree with everything he says here. But I think most of it is pretty much on the mark.
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But yeah, one shouldn't take a greeting the wrong way. If they do, it's their problem, not yours.
"Do as thou wilt, shall be the whole of the law."