"Truth, Justice and HUH?"

When I was a very young boy, one of my favorite television shows was "The Adventures of Superman", starring George Reeves. I rarely missed an episode, glued to the set, waiting to see the "Man of Steel" fly through the air, or crush a gun with his vice-like grip. There wasn't a "bad guy" anywhere in the universe who could stand up against Superman. Superman was the quintessential American hero; his motto of "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" struck a chord with kids all over America. Superman was what America aspired to be; strong, fair, just and kind. In the 1940s he went after Hitler, and was demonized by the NAZI regime. "Old Supe" captured communists in the 50s with ease. America has had an ongoing love affair with Clark Kent; the "mild mannered reporter". Clark, like most Americans, didn't want trouble; yet Clark was quick to call on his "alter-ego" to remedy violence and injustice when it reared its ugly head. We love the "Superman" legend so much, that as a nation, we have flocked to theatres to watch a series of films and several television treatments of the "Man of Steel". When I was newly married, my wife and I stopped on our way home from work to be some of the first to see "Superman, the Movie" at the Woodfield Cinema. We wanted to see a man fly, and it was worth it!

Over the years, the character of "Superman" has had some changes; he even "died" in one comic book. At times, he has become sullen and depressed; perhaps a reflection of our current national condition. Last week, I read an article that said Superman was going to renounce his American citizenship. What kind of foolishness is this? The article said the character is tired of being perceived as a tool of government. Evidently, the "American Way", isn't what it used to be! I guess we should have expected this from an "illegal alien"! This is symbolic of an attitude today that finds patriotism, and belief that America is special, is no longer something to be desired. The ideal now seems to be that we become "citizens of the world", and leave our American pride somewhere in the background. "Superman" would not have been so super had he landed anywhere else in the world other than the U.S.A.! What if he had landed in Germany in 1938; now that's something to think about!

Truth and justice are cornerstones of our American belief system. Other nations all fall short when compared to us. Superman is a mirror image of what America constantly strives to be; that is the "American Way"!

Look at today's world; war, disaster, ideological conflict and economic devastation: this is the way of the world! Maybe "Old Supe" will reconsider his decision to represent the "whole world" view. "Supe", like it or not, THE AMERICAN WAY IS THE BEST!!