Hey, Bill. I'm wondering. Do you have a current passport?

Not currently. What does that have to do with being ticked off at the CFO of Pepsi for her rude remarks about America? (You can read the text of her speech online courtesy of Pepsi. Find the link at Powerlineblog.com)

You are making a big deal about it. I dont think she sees herself as anything but American. Because she is non-white, would it then mean that only anglo-saxon whites can be American?

Martin, you should not inject race into this. I have not and neither has anyone else criticizing her. This is about what she said - and I read her entire speech and the analogy she used was extremely rude to America.

From her speech: (http://www.pepsico.com/Speech-ColumbiaBusinessSchool.pdf)

"[...]This
incident should make it abundantly clear. These men were not giving China a hand. They were giving
China the finger. This finger was red, white and blue and had “the United States” stamped all over it.

Graduates, it pains me greatly that this view of America persists. Although I’m a daughter of India, I’m
an American businesswoman. My family and I are citizens of this great country.

This land we call home is a most-loving, and ever-giving nation – a “promised land” that we love dearly
in return. And it represents a true force that – if used for good -- can steady the hand – along with
global economies and cultures.

Yet, to see us frequently stub our fingers on the international business and political stage is deeply
troubling. Truth be told, the behaviors of a few sully the perception for all of us. And we know how
often perception is mistaken for reality.

We can do better. We should do better. With your help, with your empathy, with your positive intent
as representatives of the U.S. in global business, we will do better. Now, as never before, it’s
important that we give the world a hand ... not the finger. "

As an American, these words don't insult me. My understanding is that she was cautioning the graduates to make sure their behavior imparts an impression that is equal to the greatness of our country, since the actions of a few can have a larger impact on how our country is viewed by others. She's saying that America deserves to have a better reputation.

But I think that we can find common ground in our love for The Real Thing.