Or rather, it would be. Check it out.

The month of July is always a personally busy time for me, starting with my favorite holiday of the year, and studded with a bunch of other birthdays and personal milestones.

Three years ago, my husband and I were lucky enough to travel through Europe during the Democratic National Convention. This was a tough thing for us to miss, being lifelong liberals and all, but it was our honeymoon, so we had a good excuse.

There is a persistent notion that Europeans dislike Americans, and while I don't really have time to engage in much of a debate about that, I have to admit that I sensed no dislike at all. What I did detect was a lot of interest and investment my homeland, though it was a whole ocean away.

Yes, it's true: many Europeans disliked George Bush. That came as no surprise to me then, and will surprise no one now.

But what really surprised me was to hear, in two different countries, France and Croatia, praise for the United States, and the courage and wisdom it had taken to declare independence, fight a revolution, and form a government of the people, by the people, etc., etc.

And this had a powerful affect on me, particularly after almost two years in the "Let the Eagle Soar," red, white & blue post-9-11 haze that just took for granted that the US was awesome.

Which it is, but not for any divine spiritual reason, not because of the size of our military, not because gays can't marry other gays in 49 states, and not because the President tells us so.

It's because of what we have done, and what we can do when we don't lose sight of our guiding principles.

Many, many thanks to the friendly strangers across the ocean who helped this yank recognize her patriotism. It was a real gift, and a great reminder of the power that courage and ideals have to inspire others.

So Kerry On, everybody - the world is watching, so we might as well look busy :)