Today we soak in the perks of a three-day weekend. As we remember and pay homage to those who have served and defended this great country we live, I’ve been inspired to address this widely overused term “un-American.”

This morning as I was getting my morning coffee, a man standing in front of me in line was talking to a woman whom he was with (based on their interaction, I presume they were in a relationship) and he was criticizing the lack of regulations that the federal government places on junk food ads targeted to children. Jumping off of that point the couple continued to discuss the state of politics in America today and of course criticisms of some high-up political figures came up (notice that I'm not naming any names, the topic at hand does not have to do with any political parties. I don't have anything against parties though, hopefully, many of us are going to some this weekend).

After a few minutes of this, another man in line began shouting at the couple. “Can’t you just be grateful? On today, of all weekends...could you be more un-American?”

From there a passionate discussion ensued, which I got to be a part of, kind of. I didn't say anything... I was a bit like...

It wasn't creepy, I swear. I mean, they were right in front of me. I was apart but a part. In truth, if I thought there was any way that they could have actually heard or listened to me, I might have. But there was very little listening involved in this "discussion."

I left with my coffee in hand and with one point still ringing in my head. A point that some of us may need reminding of these days. THERE IS NOTHING UNAMERICAN ABOUT CRITICIZING YOUR GOVERNMENT. If anything, critically thinking about political issues, questioning our political systems, and passionately criticizing the government are some of THE MOST American things you can do. Our country was founded on the belief that people should have the right to question and speak freely about their government. We, as American citizens, are not (and have hopefully never been) cogs in a wheel, expected merely to respond to and transmit external energy. We are expected to aspire to be critically questioning media of action.

Americanism is not a totalitarian faith, which can impose a uniform agreement of political dogma. Thomas Jefferson himself said that in America, “dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”

Today we live in a world where there seems to be a shockingly horrible act of terror or something strange & appalling done/said by a political figure every other day. We are surrounded by so much information that begs to be consumed. We are surrounded by people who question the truthfulness of truth. It's our job to live well amongst our surroundings. We don't do this by shouting at one another in coffee shops. We don't do this by keeping all of our opinions and criticisms to ourselves.

More respectful conversation about that which we disagree, that's what we need. It's American. If you don't believe me, great, prove me wrong. Go back and read the recorded thoughts of the framers of our founding documents. Tell me I missed something, let's talk about it. Let's have a discussion with the goal of mutually improved understanding of one another's perspective.

Yes, today we are hoping that the rain will be forgiving and maybe even forgetful so that our cookouts can be saved, but we can't forget...take the time to give thought to remembering and honoring those who have died while serving our US military, as well as the families affected. As we do this, let us all be American and aspire to think critically, question actively, and respectfully discuss our disagreements as we feel necessary.