As I began this article, I thought quite a bit about what were arguably the two most patriotic events in America to occur in my lifetime — which couldn't have been more stark in their differences.
First, the "Miracle on Ice" — the 1980 Winter Olympics men's hockey game between the United States and the former Soviet Union during the medal round in Lake Placid, New York.
As the young Americans erupted on the ice in jubilation after the historic win, I remember Soviet hockey players standing on the ice, their hands and chins on the sticks, simply watching the Americans celebrate, in disbelief, as if they had no understanding of true joy and patriotism. Virtually all of America followed suit in unbridled national pride — regardless of political views and pretty much everything else.
Second, the unifying reaction after radical Islamists flew hijacked commercial airliners into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon on 9/11/2001, while a fourth jet — United Airlines Flight 93 — was taken down by patriotic passengers in an open field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
For some years after 9/11, I remember thinking about — and writing — the only thing that would again unify the country as did that horrific day that altered history, would be another similar event or worse. Almost incomprehensibly, that ship has sailed — meaning that another 9/11 would only lead to more divisiveness, finger-pointing, and bitterness.
To the above point, the reaction of the Left — including that of disgraceful Democrat members of Congress during President Donald Trump's historic 2026 State of the Union Address (SOTU) — is now worse (or at least more blatant) than ever.
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This brings us to the disgusting behavior of the Left — including congressional Democrats and their lapdogs in the media — decrying (uncontrollably whining about) the patriotic celebrations after both the USA men's and women's hockey teams captured gold medals in this year's Olympics.
The question is easy:
Why can't the Left set aside politics and celebrate with pride the performance of American athletes in international competition?
Unfortunately, the answer is multifaceted; with none of it being good, much less American.
So, unsurprisingly, after years (almost 11, by my count — given that President Donald Trump announced his first presidential campaign in June, 2015)) of divisive rage on the Left that has poisoned national discourse, tens of millions Americans finally enjoyed an exuberant break for a brief, shining moment as our athletes proudly waved the American flag, and chanted "USA!, USA!" — while many of the TDS-riddled Left bristled in anger, or even disgust.
Anyway, the crestfallen Left suffered another traumatic day on Wednesday, as U.S. hockey hero Jack Hughes made his triumphant return to his NHL team, the New Jersey Devils, after bringing home Olympic gold.
The crowd erupted in thunderous chants of “USA! USA!” as flags waved proudly. Hughes even called his Olympic teammate, Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson, onto the ice to join him. Skating arm in arm, the two professional-hockey opponents gave fans what the bitter Left hates most — a full-throated celebration of America.
Oh, the humanity!
As bestselling author and political commentator Jonathan Turley put it, while it was a unifying moment for most of us in the country, the patriotic celebrations had a far different impact on the Left:
The HuffPost even published an article with therapeutic advice for liberals triggered by seeing so many American flags. The liberal publication ran an article titled “There’s a Name for the Discomfort You’re Feeling Watching the Olympics Right Now.” It then published it a second time before the gold-medal hockey game with Canada — presumably to prepare its readers for the nightmare of the United States actually winning.
The subheading read, “If waving the American flag or chanting ‘USA!’ turns you off right now, you’re not alone.”
Senior writer Monica Torres began the article with this line: “While President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda separates families, and federal agents detain 5-year-olds and kill unarmed civilians, American athletes are winning medals on behalf of the nation at the Olympics right now.”
Torres goes on to interview three therapists for this “story” about how the celebration of the United States team has forced many liberals into therapy over their trauma and “the cognitive dissonance of rooting for U.S. sports.”
Even worse, I think, is after Donald Trump leaves the political stage in January 2029, the Left's visceral hatred of all things patriotic American will continue without missing as much as a heartbeat.
More examples:
Los Angeles-based licensed clinical social worker Aimee Monterrosa explained that the “atrocities” of the United States can trigger feelings of guilt, despair, shame, anger” in seeing the country celebrate these sports victories.
Expert Lauren Appio echoed how “waving the American flag or chanting, ‘USA!’ [can make] us feel grossed out or ashamed.”
Over at Vox, senior correspondent Abad-Santos declared the men’s hockey team one of the biggest “losers” of the games. He blamed that team for alienating citizens by their patriotic statements: “The conversation surrounding the win quickly shifted into how the team celebrated and who it celebrated with.”
Almost as outrageous, Abad-Santos expressed faux (concocted) outrage over the U.S. team accepting the celebratory call from President Trump.
Is that sick? Of course. Is it par for the course on the bitter Left? Also, of course.
After all, Trump is the Devil incarnate to these delusional people.
