I'm stuck. Half of my family is from the Carolinas. However, the Edmonton Oilers are the first team I ever followed when I first started watching hockey. I still have a place in my heart for the Oil, and part of that reason is the empassioned fans of Edmonton always impressed me.

Of course, never was that more evident than last night's Cup game. Given the state of affairs internationally, foreign countries could make a pretty decent case for paying the American national anthem little to no respect. But the folks in Edmmonton didn't go that route. In fact, many of the people in the stands sang along--a feat I doubt many Americans could do in reverse. I've heard Oh, Canada enough as a result of watching sports over the years that I might come close, but I doubt I could pull it off completely.

But that was nothing compared to when the Canadian national anthem began. "Ladies and gentlemen, here to sing the Canadian national anthem, you guys..." 18,000 people singing Oh, Canada at full volume and in perfect harmony something to behold. I wonder if an American crowd of the same size could sing the Star Spangled Banner as well.

I'd say we, as Americans, could learn a few things about national pride from our friends in Edmonton, but that very often seems like an impossible notion for Americans to digest. Us? Inferior to something non-American in some way? When was the last time out security forces broke up a domestic terror ring? Something to think about while you drive to work in your Honda.