American Pride: What Constitutes Patriotism?

"Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. "George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

I was watching Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher the other night. They were talking about the war on terrorism and whether or not we, the United Sates of America, should be apologetic to the rest of the world for any of our actions or policies that we might need to be ashamed of. Then Ann Coulter, a guest on the show, pronounced that she was proud to be an American and didn't feel we need to apologize to anyone. She said, "Am I the only one here that is proud to be an American?"

Well, that infuriated me and I felt insulted because it implied that the rest of us, "liberal, secular, progressive types" were somehow less proud and less patriotic because we didn't think like she did. And her implication raised the question: what exactly is it that makes one proud to be an American? And it strikes me that my list of things that make me proud might not coincide with her list, but nevertheless are just as valid and imbued with patriotism.